Infertility Treatment
Treatment of infertility depends on the cause, how long you’ve been infertile, your age and your partner’s age, and many personal preferences. Some causes of infertility can’t be corrected. However, a woman may still become pregnant with assisted reproductive technology. Infertility treatment involves significant financial, physical, psychological and time commitment.
Treatment for men
Approaches that involve the male include treatment for general sexual problems or lack of healthy sperm. Treatment may include:
Treating infections
Antibiotic treatment may cure an infection of the reproductive tract, but doesn’t always restore fertility.
Treatments for sexual intercourse problems
Medication or counseling can help improve fertility in conditions such as erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation.
Hormone treatments and medications
Your doctor may recommend hormone replacement or medication in cases where infertility is caused by high or low levels of certain hormones or problems with the way the body uses hormones.
Surgery
For example, a varicocele can often be surgically corrected or an obstructed vas deferens repaired. In cases where no sperm are present in the ejaculate, sperm may often be retrieved directly from the testicles.
Treatment for women
Although a woman may need just one or two therapies to restore fertility, it’s possible that several different types of treatment may be needed before she’s able to conceive.
Stimulating ovulation with fertility drugs
Fertility drugs are the main treatment for women who are infertile due to ovulation disorders. These medications regulate or induce ovulation. Talk with your doctor about fertility drug options — including the benefits and risks of each type.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
During IUI, healthy sperm that have been collected and concentrated are placed directly in the uterus around the time the woman’s ovary releases one or more eggs to be fertilized. Depending on the reasons for infertility, the timing of IUI can be coordinated with your normal cycle or with fertility medications.
Surgery to restore fertility
Uterine problems such as endometrial polyps, a uterine septum or intrauterine scar tissue can be treated with hysteroscopic surgery.