Signs Of Female Infertility, ART And Other Advanced Treatments

Signs of infertility in women include irregular periods, painful periods, and weight changes, while Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is just one treatment option for infertility. There are other forms of advanced fertility treatment.

There are a number of things that may be keeping you from getting pregnant:

Damage to your fallopian tubes. These structures car­ry eggs from your ovaries, which produce eggs, to the uterus, where the baby de­velops. They can get dam­aged when scars form after pelvic infections, endome­triosis, and pelvic surgery. That can prevent sperm from reaching an egg.

Hormonal problems. You may not be getting preg­nant because your body is not going through the usu­al hormone changes that lead to the release of an egg from the ovary and the thickening of the lining of the uterus.

Cervical issues. Some women have a condition that prevents sperm from passing through the cervi­cal canal.

Uterine trouble. You may have polyps and fibroids that interfere with getting pregnant. Uterine polyps and fibroids happen when too many cells grow in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. Other abnor­malities of the uterus can also interfere,

‘Unexplained’ infertili­ty. For about 20 per cent of couples who have infertility problems, the exact causes are never pinpointed.

Tests for Infertility

Your doctor may order several tests, including a blood test to check hor­mone levels and an endo­metrial biopsy to examine the lining of your uterus.

Advanced IVF Treatment

Preimplantation Genetic Test­ing (PGT)

Preimplantation genet­ic testing is undertaken after the embryo is created in the lab but prior to im­plantation. The healthcare provider takes a biopsy of the cells from in vitro fer­tilized embryos. These cells then undergo testing for the existence of genetic abnor­malities, such as a missing or an extra chromosome like what is found in Down syndrome, a single gene disorder (like sickle cell anemia), or the rearrange­ment of genes, which can cause pregnancy loss and birth defects. This testing procedure is often selected by women who have experi­enced miscarriages in the past.

Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation, also known as embryo freezing, is the process of freezing and storing fertilised eggs. This is a way to preserve options for pregnancy later in life. Vitrification is con­sidered the most effective option as the fertilised eggs frozen with this procedure have a 99 percent survival rate.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG). This procedure in­volves ultrasound or X-rays of your reproductive or­gans. A doctor injects either dye or saline and air into your cervix, which travel up through your fallopian tubes. With this method, your doctor can check to see if the tubes are blocked.

Laparoscopy. Your doc­tor puts a laparoscope – a slender tube fitted with a tiny camera – through a small cut near your belly button. This lets him view the outside of your uter­us, ovaries, and fallopian tubes to check for abnormal growths. The doctor can also see if your fallopian tubes are blocked.

Laparoscopy. If you have been diagnosed with tubal or pelvic disease, one option is to get sur­gery to reconstruct your reproductive organs. Your doctor puts a laparoscope through a cut near your bel­ly button to get rid of scar tissue, treat endometriosis, open blocked tubes, or re­move ovarian cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs that can form in the ovaries.

Hysteroscopy. In this procedure, your doctor places a hysteroscope into your uterus through your cervix. It’s used to remove polyps and fibroid tumors, divide scar tissue, and open up blocked tubes.

Medication. If you have ovulation problems, your doctors may prescribe drugs for you. The drugs can also help you get preg­nant by causing your ova­ries to release multiple eggs. Normally, only one egg is released each month.

Your doctor may suggest that you take gonadotropin if you have unexplained infertility or when other kinds of treatment have not helped you get pregnant.

Intrauterine insemina­tion. For this procedure, af­ter semen gets rinsed with a special solution, a doctor places it into your uterus when you are ovulating. It is sometimes done while you are taking meds that help trigger the release of an egg.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF). In this technique, your doctor places into your uterus eggs that were fertilised in a dish.

Dr Taiwo Orebamjo is an ex­perienced Consultant Obstetri­cian and a medical administra­tion expert from the Kingston Academy of Learning and Career College Canada. He is a post-graduate of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London. The Research Fellow in assisted conception at the St. George’s Teaching Hospital in Tooting London is also the Consultant Obstetrician &Gynaecologist, Medical Director, at Parklande Specialist Hospital & Lifeshore Fertility and IVF Clinic.