Infertility Tips
Read these 26 Infertility Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Conception tips and hundreds of other topics.
Discovering Anovulation
Anovulation can be discovered through charting. If your temperatures never show a rise and if they are very irratic you are anovulatory. Cervical fluid and cervical position can be all over the place as well.
Natural Remedies of Anovulation
The herb Vitex and Dong Quai can help to regulate hormones thus bringing on ovulation. It's extremely important not to take these with any other medications - as they can react. ALWAYS seek the advice of your physician before taking any new supplement. Evening Primrose Oil can help with producing fertile quality cervical fluid (a symptom of anovualtion) and vitamin B6 can help to lengthen the luteal phase.
ZIFT - Zygote Intra-Fallopian Transfer
ZIFT is similar to the GIFT procedure. ZIFT is used when a man's sperm count is low. In ZIFT the fertilized egg is matured to the zygote stage before the fertilized egg is placed in the fallopian tube.
Reasons for IVF
The reasons an IVF is done is for women with: blocked fallopian tubes, PCOS, endrometriosis. Women who are over 30 and have experienced pelvic inflammatory disease, painful periods, irregular cycles and low sperm count are likely canidates for IVF too.
Anovulation and Fertility Drugs
The prescription drugs Clomid and Pergonal can sometimes bring on ovulation. The chances of them causing more than one egg to be released is greater - thus the chances of conceiving multiples are greater.
How Long Should You TTC Before Seeking Help?
Find out from your doctor about how long you should try to conceive before seeking further help should a pregnancy not occur. Depending upon your age and health, the range in trying to conceive is anywhere from 3 months to 1 year before advancing on to infertility testing and measures.
Step Seven
On the morning of the egg retrieval a preoperative examination will be given and a sedative administered. The egg retrievals are done by the help of ultrasound through the vagina, though a few are done by laparoscopy. The procedure takes around 25 minutes to complete. On the same day your partner will give a sperm sepcimen after abstaining from ejaculation for at least 3 prior days.
Luteal Phase Defect
A luteal phase defect is a luteal phase (the time from ovulation to menstruation) that is under 10 days. Actually it is best that the luteal phase is over 10 days. One that is under will not support a pregnancy. Vitamin B6, progesterone in suppositories or cream, and prescriptions such as Clomid help to cure the defect.
Step Nine
Approximately 3 days after the egg retrieval you will return to the doctor for the transfer of 3 to 5 embryos. Some women will wait till the 5th day for the transfer of a blastocyst. After the transfer you must remain in bed for the remainder of the day. You will be given Doxycycline, an antibotice to take for several days to prevent infection.
In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is done when the woman's fallopian tubes are blocked. It involves prescription drugs such as Pergonal, Lupron and the hormones HCG and progesterone. The procedure takes about 2 months to complete. Eggs are retrieved and sperm extracted and fertilized outside the mother's body and then the fertilized egg(s) is placed into the uterus in hope of implantation.
Step Five
5 days after the Gonal-F/Follistim injections are given your doctor will check your blood for estrogen and perform a vaginal ultrasound. Based on the results your doctor will adjust your dosage of Gonal-F or Follistim, which will be injected again - and again you'll go for the same tests until the eggs in the ovaries are matured.
Anovulation Defined
Anovulation is a cycle in which ovulation does not occur. Sometimes there may even be some "break-through" bleeding mistaked as the menstrual bleeding.
GIFT - Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer
GIFT procedure is almost the same as in vitro fertilization (IVF) except the fertilized eggs are placed in the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus. A failed IVF will lead to GIFT. The success rate of GIFT is much higher than IVF.
Intrauterine Insemination
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is also known as artificial insemination. IUI's are used when a man's sperm count is low or the woman has unexplained infertility or poor quality cervical fluid. The sperm is taken from the man and injected into the uterus by means of a catheter during ovulation.
Causes of Anovulation
These things can cause anovulation: Breastfeeding, excessive weight gain or loss, illnesses, chemical birth control such as pills, shots or patches, strenuous exercise, stress and travel. Pituitary and thyroid problems and PCOS are also causes of anovulation.
Step Three
On the 2nd day of the menstrual cycle another ultrasound will be done to check the appearance of your ovaries. If they appear normal you will be given a date to start Gonal-F or Follistim therapy. The dosage of Lupron will be decreased.
Step Eight
After the egg retrieval you will go home and start on progesterone therapy - either in the form of suppositories or injections.
Lupron and Danazol
Lupron and Danazol are prescribed to suppress ovulation. This is used in women with endometriosis - to allow the endometriosis to subside so pregnancy can occur. Lupron and Danazol are also used in conjuction with high-tech invasive treatments such as in-vitro fertilization.
Micromanipulation
Micromanipulation is used when the sperm are unable to penetrate the egg. The procedure inserts a single sperm into the egg and is then placed into the woman's uterus for implantation.
Clomid and Pergonal
Clomid and Pergonal are prescription drugs used to correct anovulation (lack of ovulation). These drugs induce ovulation. Clomid is the more popular one prescribed. With both the incidence of having multiples are greater.
Ovum Transfer
In ovum transfer you take donor eggs and your partners sperm and fertilize them. The fertilized egg is placed into your uterus. This is done when a woman does not produce her own eggs.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Mary White |
