Fertility treatment options include more than IVF
Our Nashville fertility specialists are debunking the common misconception that fertility treatment options center on IVF. In fact, only 25% to 30% of our patients need an IVF cycle.
While IVF is the fertility treatment discussed most often, not every hopeful parent will require it, as there are numerous causes of infertility and treatment options.
Potential causes of infertility
The roadblocks that can stand between a hopeful parent and their dream of parenthood vary.
- Uterine abnormalities, such as fibroids and adhesions
- Low quality or quantity of eggs or sperm
- Hormonal imbalances
- Obstructions in the fallopian tubes
- Obstructions in the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis
- Erectile dysfunction
While these factors all contribute to infertility, they do not all require the same fertility treatment.
Our Nashville fertility specialists understand the importance of creating an individualized treatment plan that will best suit the patient’s diagnosis, family-planning goals, timeframe and budget.
Numerous fertility treatment options
Because every individual has unique needs, we make sure the benefits and costs of all relevant fertility treatment options are considered when working with patients to create their customized fertility treatment plan.
- Ovulation induction is an option for women who ovulate infrequently or not at all. In this case, medications, including Clomid, Femara or injectable gonadotropins, are used.
- Surgical procedures can be used to open blocked fallopian tubes, fix certain genetic defects, remove fibroids and help to remedy other fertility issues.
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves inserting sperm into the uterus to achieve pregnancy.
- If IVF ends up being one of the best fertility treatment options, we will work with the patient to create an individualized plan. For example, we will review which laboratory procedures will be needed, such as preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or embryo freezing.
- If donor eggs or sperm are required we will help the patient navigate that process.
- Egg freezing is utilized by women who are not currently ready to conceive, but would like to preserve their fertility.
The treatment options our Nashville fertility specialists recommend are not just focused on helping a hopeful parent become pregnant, but supporting them in staying pregnant, and ending up with a healthy baby.
Contact us for more information on fertility treatment options.
