If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a year or more without success, you may be ready to consider assisted reproductive technology. Artificial insemination is one of the most common types of fertility treatment. It’s a simple, noninvasive outpatient procedure in which sperm is inserted into the uterus using a catheter. This helps healthy sperm get closer to the egg, which improves the chances of successfully attaining fertilization.

Artificial insemination success rate can vary based on a number of factors. In general, the success rate of this procedure ranges from 7 percent to about 25 percent. Combining this procedure with fertility drugs may increase your chance of success, but success rates drop as you age. The success rate for women over 40 is around 5 percent.

How Artificial Insemination Works

Your menstrual cycle is monitored for about 12 to 14 days so that the procedure can be done when you ovulate. Monitoring is done using ultrasound and bloodwork. Fertility medicine may be given to stimulate ovulation. Sperm is donated by your partner or by a sperm donor. The sperm is washed and processed to enhance sperm quality.

The procedure is schedule once your doctor determines when ovulation will occur. It’s a painless procedure that takes a matter of minutes. Once the sperm has been injected, you may be instructed to lie on your back for approximately 30 minutes. You’ll go home after that and return for a pregnancy test in two weeks. If you aren’t pregnant, the procedure can be repeated.

Candidates for Artificial Insemination

You may be a candidate for artificial insemination if your fertility problem is related to mild endometriosis or thick cervical mucous. You may also be a candidate if your partner’s sperm has low motility or low count. Couples who have unexplained infertility are often good candidates for this procedure. 

Donor sperm may be used if your partner has a known genetic condition that you wish to avoid passing on. Artificial insemination may be a good option if a single woman wants to conceive or a same sex female couple wish to have a baby.

If you have severe endometriosis, blockage of your fallopian tubes or severe pelvic scarring from multiple pelvic infections, artificial insemination may not be a good option. Your fertility specialist may recommend in vitro fertilization in these cases, and it may also be recommended for women over the age of 40.

In Vitro Fertilization

If artificial insemination isn’t right for you, or if you’ve had several unsuccessful cycles of artificial insemination, you may want to consider in vitro fertilization. In this procedure, your eggs are harvested and combined with sperm in a lab setting and implanted in your uterus after a few days. This sometimes results in multiple births. Embryos that aren’t used can be frozen for future use.

At the Center for Reproductive Health, a compassionate and knowledgeable team is available to explain different options in assisted reproductive technology and to answer any questions you may have. Call today to schedule a consultation. 

Having difficulty conceiving a child when you’ve decided you’d like to be a parent can be heartbreaking. Infertility refers to being unable to unable to get pregnant after a year of trying. Assisted reproductive technology includes several different medical procedures that may help patients overcome fertility issues that have been interfering with conception. 

Knowing the pros and cons of assisted reproductive technology can help you make an informed decision on whether to seek treatment for your fertility challenges. The team of fertility experts at the Center for Reproductive Health can help you understand your options for fertility treatment using assisted reproductive technology.

Pros of Assisted Reproductive Technology

There are several pros of assisted reproductive technology. When you work with experts in the field of fertility, you undergo a thorough examination which may help to clearly identify the cause of your infertility. If your partner has problems such as low sperm motility or low sperm count, you may be able to use donor sperm if needed.

In vitro fertilization is a safe procedure that’s been done for more than 40 years. Extra embryos created during IVF can be frozen for future use or donated to other couples who are dealing with fertility challenges.

Assisted reproductive technology provides conception options for people who otherwise might not be able to get pregnant such as single women and same-sex female couples. The biggest pro of going through with assisted reproductive technology is that many patients do end up experiencing a successful pregnancy. Technology continues to advance which is leading to increasing success rates.

Cons of Assisted Reproductive Technology

There are some cons that it’s important to be aware of before you decide to have fertility treatment. Having this type of treatment can be expensive and isn’t typically covered by health insurance. There’s no guarantee of success and it may take multiple rounds of treatment before you’re able to get pregnant or carry a baby to term. This could end up costing several thousand dollars. When treatment isn’t successful right away, you may end up on an emotional roller coaster as you feel hopeful for a while, but your hopes may be dashed if pregnancy doesn’t happen.

As part of your treatment, you may be give fertility drugs. These drugs sometimes have unpleasant side effects, and if you do get pregnant, they may cause multiple births. Being pregnant with multiples carries a risk of health problems for either the mother or the fetuses.

Deciding Whether to Pursue Assisted Reproductive Technology

The decision on whether to undergo fertility treatment is an individual one, and you have to weigh the pros and cons of having it done. The best thing to do is get as much information as you can so that you can make the right choice for your situation.

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant without success, don’t give up hope without finding out your options. Reach out to the Center for Reproductive Health for more information or to set up a consultation.

If you have been unable to get pregnant after a year of trying, you’re not alone because infertility is experienced by as many as 1 in 6 people. There are many possible causes of infertility, and determining the underlying cause is the best way to find an effective fertility treatment for you. Artificial insemination, which is also called intrauterine insemination, is one of the most common fertility treatments and there are several advantages of artificial insemination.  

Simple Noninvasive Procedure

One of the biggest advantages of artificial insemination is that it’s a simple, noninvasive procedure. To improve your chance of success, artificial insemination may be combined with medication to stimulate ovulation before the procedure is done. It’s an outpatient procedure that’s painless and only takes a few minutes. You won’t need anesthesia and it’s a form of treatment that most closely resembles natural conception.

After the procedure, you may lie on your back for approximately 30 minutes and then you’re able to go home. Two weeks after the procedure, you take a pregnancy test. If you’re not pregnant, the procedure can be repeated.

Sperm is Treated to Help Achieve Better Results

Natural conception requires the sperm to travel from the vagina and through the cervix to the uterus. When an egg is released, the sperm and egg travel to the fallopian tube, which is where fertilization happens. 

Artificial insemination gives you a greater chance of attaining pregnancy because the sperm is washed and treated so that only the highest quality sperm is used. It’s inserted directly into the uterus, which means the sperm travels a much shorter distance. The sperm that’s used can be from your partner or from a donor.

Low Cost

Artificial insemination requires fewer visits than other forms of fertility treatment such as in vitro fertilization. You don’t need an operating room, which helps to reduce the cost. Since there isn’t as much involved in this form of treatment, the cost of artificial insemination is low compared to other types of fertility treatment. 

Determining the Best Fertility Treatment

Choosing a fertility treatment starts with a thorough medical exam and family medical history for both you and your partner, which may include blood work and diagnostic testing. This may help to pinpoint the cause of your fertility challenges. Infertility is sometimes related to problems with the woman’s reproductive system while other times there are male-related problems or problems with both the man and the woman.

Artificial insemination may be worth trying if the cause of infertility is unexplained. It may also be a good choice for women whose fertility issues are related to the cervix, particularly thick cervical mucous. It may also be a good choice if your partner has low sperm count.  This procedure also gives single women and LGBQT couples the opportunity to conceive a child.

The Center for Reproductive Studies has helped many women to achieve a successful pregnancy using artificial insemination and other forms of assisted reproductive technology. Call today with any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment.

One of the most widely used forms of assisted fertility treatments is artificial insemination, also known as intrauterine insemination. A question often heard at the Center for Reproductive Health is “How does artificial insemination work?”

Artificial insemination is a simple procedure in which prepared sperm is inserted directly into the uterus during ovulation. This reduces the time and distance that sperm have to travel, giving healthy sperm a better chance to unite with the egg.

Reasons Artificial Insemination May Be Recommended

There are many different reasons couples may experience infertility. Artificial insemination may be recommended as a treatment option when couples face certain challenges such as:

• Problems with the reproductive system such as endometriosis, problems with ovulation or problems with the cervix
• Male fertility problems such as decreased sperm motility, low sperm count or erectile dysfunction
• Unexplained infertility

Artificial insemination also makes it possible for single women or same-sex female couples to have a child. It’s a minimally invasive form of fertility treatment that’s less costly than in vitro fertilization.

Artificial Insemination Process

Diagnostic tests and a review of your medical history are done before deciding whether artificial insemination is a good option for you. Fertility medication may be prescribed for a short time before the procedure to stimulate ovulation and this medication may help improve success rates. You’re monitored closely with blood work and regular ultrasounds to pinpoint the best time for the procedure, since sperm should be inserted during ovulation.

The sperm that’s used for the procedure may be from your partner or from a donor. The sperm sample is treated to separate healthy sperm from sperm of lower quality. This means that the sperm that’s placed in the uterus is highly concentrated.

Artificial insemination is an outpatient procedure that’s painless and only takes a few minutes. Sperm is inserted using a catheter and you remain lying on your back for a short time after this is done. There’s no need for anesthesia, and you’re able to go home soon after the procedure.

Some women experience mild cramping or some light spotting after the procedure. Your doctor may recommend that you avoid heavy lifting and reduce strenuous activities for the next few weeks. Two weeks after the procedure, you return to the clinic for a blood test that can determine if you’re pregnant.

Will Artificial Insemination Be Successful?

Whether the procedure is successful depends on a combination of factors such as your age and the underlying cause of infertility. If artificial insemination wasn’t successful, you may try it a few more times before considering other methods of fertility treatment. The success rate of artificial insemination declines with age. Women over the age of 40 may want to try in vitro fertilization instead rather than doing another cycle of artificial insemination.

The fertility experts at the Center for Reproductive Health understand how disappointing and overwhelming infertility can be. Call today to schedule a consultation or to obtain more information about artificial insemination or other forms of assisted reproductive technology.

There are many different reasons that couples may experience difficulty conceiving a child, which may be related to fertility issues with the woman, the man, or both. There are different types of assisted reproductive technology (ART) that may help couples overcome problems that are causing an inability to conceive.  

ART refers to medical procedures that can be done to manipulate eggs, sperm, or embryos to improve the chances of attaining a successful pregnancy. The team at The Center for Reproductive Health is committed to helping couples find the best solution to infertility challenges with the help of ART.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

IVF is probably the most well-known form of ART. This procedure involves harvesting eggs from the mother and fertilizing them with sperm in a lab where they’re allowed to grow for a few days into embryos. The embryos are then implanted in the mother’s uterus. The sperm may be from the woman’s partner or a sperm donor.

Before eggs are harvested, injectable hormones are given to stimulate the growth of multiple eggs, which is usually done for 7 to 9 days.  A relatively new form of ART known as Mini IVF is done by using a gentler approach to ovarian stimulation in order to produce a few high-quality embryos rather than multiple embryos.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination or IUI is also known as artificial insemination. The procedure is done by injecting sperm into the uterus around the time of ovulation. Before the sperm is injected, it’s processed and washed to enhance sperm quality. In some cases, the ovaries may be stimulated with hormones before the sperm is injected.

IUI bypasses thick cervical mucous that may prevent sperm from traveling to the uterus. This procedure may also be used if sperm aren’t very active or are low in count, and or when the cause of infertility is unknown.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

This procedure is done by injecting a single sperm into the center of an egg. It can be combined with IVF when sperm count or quality is very low and may be recommended if prior attempts at IVF have failed. This may be an effective form of ART if the fertility issues are sperm related.

In traditional IVF, thousands of sperm are placed in the same dish as a single egg to attain fertilization naturally. When there are significant sperm abnormalities, injecting a single sperm into an egg greatly increases the chance of attaining a successful pregnancy. 

Frozen Embryo Transfer

During IVF, not all of the embryos are used and some may be frozen for future use. In frozen embryo transfer, frozen embryos are thawed and implanted into the woman’s uterus. Eggs, sperm, or embryos may also be from a donor.

The fertility experts at The Center for Reproductive Health specialize in diagnosing and treating infertility challenges. If you’re considering ART, schedule an appointment for a comprehensive examination and evaluation to find out the best fertility treatment options for you. Call today with any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment.

Wanting to get pregnant and not being successful is disappointing and frustrating. One of the most well-known forms of fertility treatment is artificial insemination, in which sperm is inserted into a woman’s reproductive tract. The sperm may be sperm from a sperm donor or from the woman’s partner. The sperm is washed to enhance the quality of the sperm which helps to provide the best chance of attaining a successful pregnancy.

Artificial insemination is usually the first type of fertility treatment tried when the cause of infertility hasn’t been identified. It’s a quick and painless procedure that’s also a good option for single women, same sex female couples or women whose partner has low sperm count or poor quality sperm. There are four types of artificial insemination. 

Intrauterine Insemination

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is an outpatient procedure in which sperm is injected directly into the uterus using a catheter. Fertility drugs are given for a period of time before the procedure is done to help stimulate egg production. Since the sperm is injected directly into the uterus, it doesn’t have far to travel, which means this type of artificial insemination may have better success rates than other types.

Intracervical Insemination

An alternative to IUI is a procedure in which the sperm is placed in the female’s cervix where it can travel to the uterus on its own to unite with the egg. To improve the chance of success, a conception cap may be worn for a few hours. This approach isn’t usually as successful as IUI, but it is less expensive.

Intratubal Insemination

In this procedure, the sperm is injected into the Fallopian tubes by placing a catheter through the cervix. This may be a good option for women who have thick cervical mucus that decreases the motility of sperm or for women who don’t ovulate regularly.

Intrauterine Tubo-peritoneal Insemination

Another approach is to inject the sperm into both the uterus and the fallopian tubes, which is known as intrauterine tubo-peritoneal insemination. After the sperm is injected, a clamp is placed on the cervix to prevent leakage. This may be a good choice for couples struggling with a mild case of endometriosis or mild male infertility.

Finding the Best Fertility Treatment for You

Being unable to conceive can be emotionally devastating. There are many different reasons that you may be struggling to conceive and finding the best treatment for you involves a thorough examination and family medical history. Factors such as your age and any existing health conditions are considered as well as the health of your partner.

At the Center for Reproductive Health, experienced fertility experts determine the cause of your infertility and explain the best treatment options for you. It’s important to be well-informed and to understand all your options.

Artificial insemination is often the first type of treatment tried, but it’s not the only choice. If you have any questions or you’re interested in learning more about artificial insemination or other forms of assisted reproductive technology, contact the Center for Reproductive Health today.

Becoming an egg donor is a way to make a true difference in the life of another woman. There are several factors to consider if you’re interested in becoming an egg donor and there are a lot of questions we hear from potential egg donors at the Center for Reproductive Health. Some things potential egg donors want to know include what to expect from the procedure, how long it takes, how compensation works and what’s involved in the screening process.

Frequently potential egg donors are concerned about the effect donating eggs may have on their fertility if they decide to have a child someday. Women who have this type of concern ask questions like, “How long after egg donation can you get pregnant?”

Effects on Your Fertility

If you’re worried about possible effects on your fertility, you don’t need to be concerned. Women are born with between one and two million eggs. Each month, multiple eggs mature and one makes it to ovulation while the rest are absorbed by the body. Eggs that you donate are eggs that your body wouldn’t have used and would have reabsorbed. The procedure egg donors go through has no effect on remaining eggs or future fertility.

If you decide to go through with egg donation, your ovaries are hormonally stimulated. This means your fertility is heightened and it’s possible to get pregnant. For this reason, egg donors are asked to abstain from intercourse while taking fertility medication, which usually lasts three to four weeks. 

How Egg Donation May Affect You

While you go through the egg donation process, you will inject yourself with hormones that stimulate your ovaries to enlarge and produce eggs. Because your body has higher hormone levels than normal, you may experience some side effects such as nausea, bloating, mood swings or pelvic discomfort. These side effects are temporary. 

Once you have donated your eggs, the hormones are no longer being stimulated and your body gradually goes back to normal. Most women get their period within a week or two after donating eggs. Since your fertility has been stimulated, you’re more likely than usual to get pregnant the first month after egg donation, so it’s a good idea to be extra careful if you don’t want to get pregnant at this time.

Donating Your Eggs

If you become an egg donor, you’re making a commitment to follow through with the process from start to finish. This means showing up at appointments on time and following all the instructions you’re given, which include taking medication as directed, abstaining from sex for a few weeks and refraining from participating in high impact aerobics during this time.

There’s no evidence that donating eggs leads to future infertility. Giving someone else a chance to be a mother doesn’t mean you’re giving up your own chance of eventually getting pregnant. Get in touch with the Center for Reproductive Health if you’re interested in applying to be an egg donor or to have any other questions answered.

When a couple is having trouble conceiving, there are several options for fertility treatments. For those who need fertility assistance, two of the most common options are in vitro fertilization (IVF) and artificial insemination.

If you’re considering fertility treatments, there are several factors to consider. The fertility experts at the Center for Reproductive Health can help you understand the differences between IVF vs. artificial insemination and what type of fertility treatment would work best for you.

How Does Artificial Insemination Work?

Women who have been unable to get pregnant after a year of trying may benefit from artificial insemination. In this procedure, sperm is inserted into the reproductive tract, usually directly into the uterus during ovulation. Since sperm are implanted directly into the uterus, they don’t have to swim as far to fertilize the egg. The sperm may be from the partner or a donor.

This is an in-office procedure that usually only takes about 10 minutes.  If you have been unable to get pregnant because of issues such as endometriosis, cervical disorders or irregular periods, artificial insemination may be a good option for you. 

Artificial insemination may also be recommended if your partner has immotile sperm or erectile dysfunction, and it may also be a good option for single women or same sex couples. It may be recommended as the first option to try if the cause of your infertility is unknown. 

How Does IVF Work?

If three or four rounds of artificial insemination are unsuccessful, your doctor may recommend IVF, which is a form of assisted reproductive technology in which fertilization happens outside the body. Fertility drugs are used to stimulate the growth of multiple eggs.  Once they are mature, the eggs are harvested in an outpatient procedure that’s done by using ultrasound guidance and light sedation.

The sperm and eggs are mixed together and allowed to grow in a lab setting for three to five days. Fertilized eggs are then implanted into the uterus. Embryos can also be frozen for future use.  IVF may be recommended for women who have reduced ovarian reserves, ovulation disorders or blocked fallopian tubes. 

How Does IVF Compare to Artificial Insemination?

Both IVF and artificial insemination typically include undergoing a regimen of fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation and improve success rates. Both procedures involve processing the sperm by washing it to separate sperm from seminal fluid and to isolate sperm of the highest quality from the sample. 

Artificial insemination is a less invasive procedure than IVF and it’s also less costly. To determine what type of fertility treatment is best for you, your doctor considers a combination of factors such as your age, your family health history and any known health conditions you may have. 

When pregnancy doesn’t happen as easily as you hoped, medical intervention may help. If you have any questions about artificial insemination, IVF or other options for treating infertility, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the compassionate and knowledgeable team at the Center for Reproductive Health.

Infertility is when you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a year without success. It includes inability to get pregnant as well as experiencing miscarriages or stillbirths. If you’re experiencing infertility, you’re probably feeling very discouraged. You’re not alone, because as many as 15 percent of couples experience infertility. 

Fortunately, there are forms of treatment for infertility called assisted reproductive technology.  What is assisted reproductive technology (ART)? ART refers to a variety of techniques that are done to increase the chance of getting pregnant, and these techniques include complex procedures that may involve the manipulation of eggs, sperm, or embryos. 

Types of ART

Each couple struggling with infertility faces unique challenges. The best infertility treatment for you depends on your age, your partner’s age, and the cause of infertility. Depending on your situation, some techniques that may be recommended include:

• Artificial Insemination. This technique is also called intrauterine insemination (IUI), and it involves placing sperm into the uterus while a woman is ovulating. The sperm may be from the partner or from a sperm donor. This procedure may be done in combination with medications that stimulate ovulation. 
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). This is the most widely used form of ART. It’s done by combining the egg and sperm outside the body in a lab setting and allowing the embryo to grow for a few days under carefully controlled conditions. One or more embryos may be implanted into the woman’s uterus. IVF is a safe procedure with a high success rate.
• Frozen Embryo Transfer. In vitro fertilization can result in multiple embryos and extra embryos can be frozen for future use. Frozen embryo transfer involves thawing frozen embryos and then implanting them into the uterus. This is a simpler and less expensive form of ART since ovaries don’t need to be stimulated before doing this procedure and eggs don’t need to be retrieved.
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection. This technique may be a good choice if infertility is sperm related. It may be done along with IVF and it involves injecting a single sperm into the center of an egg.
• Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer. In this procedure, the eggs are removed, combined with sperm, and placed in the fallopian tubes where fertilization can occur.

There are many factors that can affect the success of ART. One of the most important factors is age. Fertility declines with age, and fertility treatments are less likely to be successful for women in their mid-thirties and older than for younger women. Patients may need several cycles of treatment to successfully attain pregnancy.

Assisted reproductive technology provides hope to couples struggling with infertility and it also makes parenthood possible for same-sex couples and for single adults who want to have children. There continue to be advancements and improvements in the field of ART.

If you’re considering ART, the best thing to do is set up a consultation with a fertility specialist. The experts at The Center for Reproductive Health can help to identify possible causes of infertility and the best treatment options. Call today to set up a consultation.