WHAT IS FERTILITY TREATMENT?
Fertility Treatment, also known as Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), is the general term referring to treatments used to aid patients in the conception process. ART is an “Artificial” means and is used to facilitate married couples or complex partner relationships who desire children. Manual fertilization (medication that stimulates the ovaries), In vitro fertilization and other methods are employed to increase the odds of a patient becoming pregnant.
WHO PERFORMS THIS PROCEDURE?
Treatments are performed by Infertility Specialists, also known as Reproductive Endocrinologists, at a Fertility Clinic. In the United States fertility clinics are private and outfitted to sustain these time consuming and expensive procedures which are usually done on an outpatient basis. Infertility Specialists are required to have four years of Reproductive Endocrinology training followed by a four year medical school after which, a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) is required for another four years. A two to three year Fellowship is then required in Reproductive Endocrinology before a specialist can be certified in the field.
AVAILABLE TREATMENTS
Reproductive Endocrinology utilizes many methods to achieve a pregnancy. Ovulation induction, laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery, microsurgery, in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer, and sonograms are all tools an infertility specialist will use to diagnose and treat infertility. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures include frozen embryo transfer (FET), in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), tubal embryo transfer (TET), zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT). These techniques can also apply to oocyte donation and gestational carriers. ART has helped many couples seeking infertility treatment but may not work for every patient as results may vary. ART should be sought out if less expensive and less complex methods of treatment have not been successful although, certain factors involving the male in the procedure may warrant directly using ART as a first line therapy.
IVF, GIFT, ZIFT, and TET are similar treatments. While administering the in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET), ZIFT, and TET, a culture dish is used to combine the the oocytes and sperm cells causing the early phases of this method to occur outside the body rather than in the fallopian tube. When an early embryo development is successful, embryos are then transferred either into the uterus (IVF-ET) or into the fallopian tube (ZIFT, TET) of the female patient. IVF-ET is less expensive so it is usually performed initially. Also, IVF-ET does not require laparoscopy and general anesthesia. There is no significant difference in success rates between the two procedures. However, women with damaged fallopian tubes must use IVF-ET.
In a GIFT (gamete intrafallopian transfer) procedure the sperm and oocytes are transferred into the fallopian tubes immediately after oocyte retrieval. This differs from the other procedures in that the fertilization occurs in the body instead of in the lab. Some national ART statistics suggest that success rates are higher with GIFT than IVF-ET. However, recent investigations have concluded that GIFT does not increase the likelihood of conception compared to other ART procedures. These apparent increases in GIFT success rates could be attributed to differences in laboratory expertise or in the kinds of patients treated with GIFT versus IVF-ET. Please note that GIFT does not allow for confirmation of successful fertilization if the procedure does not produce a pregnancy. This is a serious disadvantage and many practitioners do not use the GIFT method specifically for that reason.
SIDE EFFECTS
The success or failures of these treatments can be an emotional experience for the patient. Couples should explore different options plans for the future such as adoption if their attempts at ART are not successful. ART can also be a physically arduous treatment where discomfort and some pain are accompanied with these treatments. Finally, the expense can be colossal depending on the treatments elected. Couples should weigh their financial situation against the realistic possibility of failed treatments.
CONCLUSION
Fertility Treatments are a popular, but expensive, alternative for couples and individuals having trouble conceiving. In 2002, 2% of all women of child bearing age utilized ART to conceive. Due to of the risk of failure in these procedures careful consideration should be made before deciding to use ART to conceive. However, as an alternative for struggling couples, ART offers a wide array of techniques. With ART, the possibility of having a child gives many people the opportunity they need to have a family through biological means.