How successful are infertility treatments?
Successful treatment of infertility depends on its cause and contributing factors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
. Couples who have ruled out risk factors such as obesity, excessive physical or emotional distress, poor diet, lack of exercise, or excessive use of alcohol and drugs may opt for assisted reproductive technology (ART) to treat infertility conditions, according to the CDC. Types of assisted reproductive technologies include:
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) – the most effective technology; sperm and egg from the couple are matched in a laboratory that produces an embryo. The embryo is deposited in the uterus, resulting in pregnancy
- Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) – an effective technology similar to in vitro fertilization. In this procedure, the embryo is grown in the laboratory, then placed in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus
- Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) – a specialized technology in which the sperm and the egg are placed in a fallopian tube to fertilize in a woman’s body
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) – technology used for older couples, those who experience male infertility, or those couples who were unsuccessful with in vitro fertilization. In this procedure, a single sperm is injected into an egg in a laboratory setting, then transferred to a woman’s uterus
If you have fertility concerns, talk to your doctor about the treatment option that’s right for you.
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