IUI and IVF Treatment

In Vitro Fertilization, or IVF is a kind of fertilization where the eggs combine with sperm for fertilization outside the body. This IVF procedure takes place in glass (in vitro). The process involves removing an ovum (egg or eggs) from the ovaries and letting the sperm fertilize them in a liquid. This process involves stimulating and monitoring in a laboratory. For the next 2-6 days, the fertilized eggs undergo embryo culture also. Later on, it is implantation that takes place in the same or another woman’s uterus. This process intends to establish a successful pregnancy. IVF is a process appropriate for gestational surrogacy and infertility treatment

Who is suitable for IVF Treatment?

Read the content for understanding properly who is the right candidate for the treatment? This can be very disheartening when a couple tries to start a family but is unable to do so for several months. If a couple is having infertility issues for them IVF is suitable. Some of the issues are:-

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) The hormonal disorder can cause infrequent and prolonged menstruation, which can also result in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS. In the case of PCOS, there is a development of a number of follicles in the ovaries and also results in releasing eggs regularly. In the case of PCOS, IVF is resulting to be very successful as well.

• Endometriosis Endometriosis causes the lining of the uterus to grow outside the uterus, resulting in a painful condition. The lining involves that of the ovaries, pelvis, and fallopian tube. In some cases, it also spread beyond the pelvis.IVF is also a better choice for women with endometriosis scarring.

• Tubal factor infertility Difficulty in pregnancy can also occur from scarred, damaged, missing, or even blocked Fallopian tubes. In the process of IVF, the implantation bypasses the Fallopian tube. Therefore, women with tubal factor infertility can opt for IVF. It therefore far better than surgical solutions.

• Pregnancy on demand LGBT couples or single women wish to have a baby as well. IVF is a good choice for them. They can become pregnant following their terms and timescale.

How is in vitro fertilization performed?

In Vitro Fertilization involves the process of fertilizing an egg outside the woman’s body also. This takes place in a laboratory using a fine needle, suction machine, and test tubes. It involves various stages.

Common symptoms of PCOD and PCOS

• Acne breakouts
• Weight gain and difficulties in losing weight
• Surplus facial and body hair. Sometimes women get dense and darker facial hair, and more hair on the chest, belly, and back
• Reduction in the thickness of the hair (Hair fall)
• Irregular periods. Women suffering from PCOS have less than nine periods a year. Some women have no periods, whereas, others have heavy bleeding
• Women who have PCOS have a problem in getting pregnant (infertility)

IVF process timeline

Do not be disheartened if the process also takes some time. The process of IVF undergoes several steps starting from testing and ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, embryo transfer. If prescribed assisted hatching is done, and finally pregnancy test. All of these procedures need six to eight weeks on average. It might change depending upon the condition and age of the patient also.

Steps involved in IVF

This complex series of IVF includes consuming some medicines too. These include Antagon (ganirelix), Ganirelix Acetate, Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate), and Lupron as well. Doctors will also prescribe GnRH analog drugs to women for 2 weeks. HCG injections will also be prescribed when ovulation is triggered

• Ovarian stimulation
• Sperm retrieval
• Fertilization
• Embryo transfer
• Pregnancy test
• Egg retrieval

Complications associated with IVF

• Premature delivery
• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Egg-retrieval procedure complications
• Stress

IVF success rate

As per records, the success rate of IVF depends upon the age of a woman and the previous history of the IVF cycle. According to the records, the success rate of IVF is increasing in all age groups. Women who undergo this procedure for the first time have a record of a 33% success rate in their first cycle. It is increasing from 54% to 77% by the eight cycles. The effect of three full cycles of IVF increases the chance of pregnancy to 45 to 53%.

(IUI)?

What is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?

IUI, medically known as Intrauterine Insemination, is a simple form of fertility treatment. The doctor can perform it either with or without medication. The medical modus operandi includes the procedure of transferring semen to the uterus through a thin catheter. However, before proceeding with it, the doctor will need to wash and concentrate on the semen. This way, it will be much more effective and powerful. A doctor will most possibly perform IUI treatment during ovulation. But, if he/she has to do so before the same, then they might use the drugs.

When is IUI used?

The doctor can use IUI to subdue the symptoms or treat various types of infertility issues. In most cases, he/she will perform the same in multiple cycles until the couple conceives. Also, almost every infertility specialist proceeds with this procedure first before moving onto something more invasive, like IVF.

The following are some of the situations where doctors tend to opt for IUI.
• Donor Sperm: Most physicians usually use IUI for those women who do require the sperm of a donor. During the procedure, the frozen sperm is obtained from a well-known and certified lab.
• Endometriosis-related Infertility: In the case of endometriosis-related infertility, the doctor would, first, try to obtain a high-quality egg. Once he/she gets it, then they will perform IUI to make it fertile.
• Cervix-related Infertility: During the period of ovulation, the cervix tends to create a high amount of mucus to prepare a proper environment for egg production. However, due to some medical reason, the cervix of some women cannot produce the mucus at all. This, in turn, leads to infertility. So, in this aspect, the doctor will need to find the underlying disease and treat it before moving onto IUI.
• Semen Allergy: In rare cases, a woman can suddenly become allergic to a specific type of protein available in semen. Thus, in this aspect, ejaculating into the vagina of women could cause redness and itching in the area. The usage of a condom might help you to prevent this issue. However, this way, you cannot have a child as well. Thus, if your sensitivity to this allergic reaction is excessive, then it would be better for you to choose IUI. During this procedure, the doctor would remove many components from the semen. So, it should be safer for you.

Indications of IUI

There are several health indications, which might suggest the requirement of the IUI procedure. Some of these are as follows –

• The production of female humoral anti-sperm antibodies
• Male infertility
• The removal of the cervix or any other cervical disease
• Severe pain during intercourse
• Unsuccessful treatment with fertility drugs

IUI Procedure

Step 1

Collection of the Semen: During the earliest stage, the doctor would collect a small amount of sperm for the procedure. It can be acquired through masturbation, almost similar to the process of semen analysis. Nevertheless, if your partner is unable to produce the same at the hospital, then he can do so at home. In this case, the doctor will provide him with a sterile semen collection kit. But, the sample needs to arrive within an hour after the ejaculation.

step 2

Semen Washing: The semen of a human being contains much more than sperm. Besides, it also comprises protein, vitamins, and some other crucial components. So, before beginning the procedure, your doctor will remove the unnecessary from it. This is known as the washing procedure!

step 2

Insertion of the Catheter: Now, you will have to lie down on an examination table and put up your legs on stirrups. The doctor will, first, attach a sperm-filled vial in a catheter and insert a speculum into the vagina. Then, he/she will insert the catheter into your uterus through the cervical opening. After that, he/she will push the sperm sample into the uterus through the small and thin tube. Once they have done it, then they will remove the catheter and speculum respectively.