Success of fertility treatments

It is a known fact that when a couple has failed to have a child, there could be an underlying problem with fertility. The first option in such cases is to undergo fertility testing that will help determine the underlying cause and what mode of treatment to adopt. The problem with fertility in one is not the same as with the other. It differs from individual to individual depending on various factors. Therefore, one should not just go by assumption to try any or all kinds of remedies that one is advised to try. This could adversely affect the reproductive ability and make the problem even worse. Therefore, one should make a choice very carefully about how to deal with this problem. Many fertility treatments are available today, but the efficacy and success rate vary considering the treatment’s various aspects. Fertility treatment could include surgical interventions, maintaining ideal body weight, lifestyle modifications, and medications. Apart from these, techniques involving assisted or artificial reproductive therapies have also resulted in high success stories.

Fertility Drugs: Certain medications are prescribed to trigger ovulation or sperm production. They could also be used when treating with intrauterine insemination (IUI) or In vitro fertilization (IVF). The success rate depends on the drug administered and approximately 20% to 35%.

Artificial insemination (AI) and intrauterine insemination (IUI): These procedures could be the treatment of choice for couples dealing with decreased sperm count and disrupted sperm motility. The success rate of this technique is up to 40% for women under the age of 40. Overall, the success rate ranges from 5% to 20% irrespective of age.

In vitro fertilization (IVF): This method involves fertilizing an egg by sperm in a fertility clinic or laboratory followed by transferring the same into the uterus to be implanted, resulting in conception. IVF is usually done to women with infertility issues related to advanced age, pelvic diseases, or problems with fallopian tubes. The success rate of this method varies depending on the woman’s age. It is more than 50% for women under 35, around 38% for women between ages 35-37, 25% for women aged between 8-40, 12% for women aged about 40, and 4% for women aged over 42%. Treatment using donor eggs: Similar to IVF, this method also involves fertilization by sperm outside the body, but in this technique, the egg could be of a donor. It could be someone you know or a stranger with whom the matching has been anonymously done through the facilities approached. It can be as good as stating that a woman who conceives with this method would not be a biological mother but still be the birth mother legally. The success rate of this method is up to 55% when the donor eggs that are used are fresh and 40% if the eggs used, are frozen ones.

Surrogacy: For couples who seek a biological child but do not wish to undergo the process of pregnancy, surrogacy is the best option. This is a legal agreement wherein a woman (surrogate mother) agrees to carry the baby in her womb for another woman (biological mother). Following IVF, the embryo is implanted into the surrogate mother’s uterus. The success rate of this method of treatment is around 50%. However, it could also be high if the couple is younger.

Freezing eggs: This treatment method is for couples in no hurry to have a baby. When a woman is not prepared to have a baby, the eggs are retrieved and frozen. Once prepared to conceive, the frozen eggs are further thawed, fertilized, and implanted in the uterus, resulting in pregnancy. The success rate of this procedure again varies depending on age. It is around 35% for women aged below 35, 30% for women between ages 35-40, 25% for women between ages 40-45. However, it is not proven efficacious for women in the late 40s or more.

Finally, various treatment regimens are available if a couple is looking forward to planning a baby sooner or later. One needs to approach an established clinic or fertility centre to seek advice on the kind of treatment that enhances the chances of success. After examinations and investigations, the practitioner will recommend the right direction to start with.