Some infertility causes may be successfully treated by simple procedures and techniques, like artificial insemination, hormone therapy and small surgery. In more complex cases, however, or when simple therapy is not effective, laboratory asisted reproduction techniques are recommended.

BASIC PROCEDURES AND TREATMENT:

BASIC PROCEDURES AND TREATMENT

The most widespread is In Vitro Fertilization, commonly known as “test tube baby”. In the first step, controlled ovaian stimulation, the patient takes drugs that induce ovulation, in order to obtain an increased egg production. Following, with the help of a trans-vaginal ultrasonography, eggs are retrieved and taken to the lab. At the same time, the husband’s sperm is prepared in the lab in a way that for each egg awaiting fertilization there are around 50 to 100 thousand mobile spermatozoa. In the following step, totally performed in the lab, eggs and sperm are placed in a special culture medium for fecundation. If fertilization is well succeeded, it will yield pre-embryos that will be transferred to the patient’s womb in 48, 72 or even 120 hours after egg retrieval.

COMPLEMENTARY TECHNIQUES

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the basis of all assisted reproduction techniques. In spite of being highly efficient, many couples need additional procedures to raise treatment success chances. Get to know the main ones: