Fertility Clinic Treatments To Help You Conceive
In this article, we take a look at what these options entail, and which couples are most likely to benefit from these treatments widely available at fertility clinics in South Africa.
“So, if we look at the different ways to conceive, there are really three main ways: natural conception, artificial insemination, and in vitro fertilisation,” explains Dr Nicholas Clark, a director at Medfem Fertility Clinic in a recent YouTube Video.
In each case, the medical treatments differ and, as such, each treatment is more effective for treating specific fertility challenges. In this article, we explain at each option, what the treatment entails and who it is most suitable for.
Natural conception
Even in healthy couples, the chances of conception are not 100% every month. In fact, the rate of natural conception in couples with no fertility challenges is just around 20% each month.
This is because, to conceive, healthy sperm must reach a healthy egg, and the sperm cells have to overcome a great number of obstacles, while also racing against time, before it can reach the egg, after which it must still penetrate the egg’s protective shell.
The first challenge faced by sperm is that only one single ovulated egg is available for fertilisation – and it is only available for 24 hours in each monthly ovulation cycle. This means that the sperm is in a race against time, and the timing of intercourse plays a very important role in successful conception.
Secondly, the sperm face a great deal of obstacles: for example, the sperm cells must travel through the vagina, cervix, uterus and into the fallopian tubes – only about 1 in 1 million sperm will reach this elusive target. On this journey, not every sperm cell will be able to survive inside the vagina, due to the vaginal acidic pH, or be able to pass through the cervix into the uterus due to the cervical mucus. In addition, a woman’s white blood cells will detect the sperm cells as “foreign cells” and will try to destroy them.
All of this means that poor semen quality would greatly reduce the chances of the sperm reaching the ovulated egg. And even if the sperm does reach the egg, if it is of poor quality, it may not be able to penetrate and fertilise the egg. Similarly, health problems experienced by the female partner will further reduce the already slim chances of fertilisation.
There are many possible causes why a couple in not conceiving naturally, even if the timing is right – ranging from poor lifestyle choices and stress to hormone imbalances and autoimmune diseases.
For example, being overweight or obese is known to affect a couple’s ability to get pregnant, as do poor habits such as smoking and alcohol use. Several studies have also shown a relationship between high levels of perceived stress and infertility.
A thorough health check-up and blood tests may further reveal medical reasons for a couple’s challenges in conceiving naturally. For example, hormone imbalances in men and women affect fertility, while autoimmune diseases such as hyperinsulinemia and hyperprolactinemia will certainly negatively impact the quality of eggs and sperm.
At modern, progressive fertility clinics, a fertility specialist will carefully assess and treat factors that may be impeding natural conception in both partners, from ensuring intercourse at the optimal time and encouraging improved health habits, to prescribing medications to address hormone imbalances and autoimmune diseases that are affecting fertility.
Artificial insemination
Artificial insemination is also called intrauterine insemination. It is still natural conception, in the sense that it is a simple procedure that involves the insertion of sperm that has been prepared in the laboratory into the top of the uterus at the time of ovulation.
In this way, artificial insemination removes many of the obstacles encountered by the sperm on its arduous journey to the fallopian tubes.
“So artificial insemination would be a step up from natural conception primarily used for mild ovulatory disorders or very mild sperm disorders or mild unexplained fertility,” says Dr Clark. At modern, progressive fertility clinics, artificial insemination is commonly done after some form of ovulation control, perhaps scanning to make sure that the ovulation is ready to take place or maybe inducing ovulation with some oral medication, triggering the ovulation at a specific time before the insertion of a sperm sample. The sperm can be from the male partner in the couple, or from a donor.
“Artificial insemination treatment is generally recommended for younger women, because the success rates become quite low after the age of 35. However, the treatment for each couple is unique, based on their specific individual circumstances.”
In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
In vitro fertilisation or IVF treatment is a process of assisted reproduction therapy (ART). During this process – in very simplified terms – the egg and sperm are fertilised outside of the body to form an embryo, which is then transferred to the uterus to hopefully implant and become a pregnancy.
However, simple as that sounds, IVF treatment is not a single event, but rather a series of procedures that are completed over five stages in a treatment cycle. The whole process from commencement of ovarian stimulation up to the embryo transfer stage usually takes around three weeks, followed by two weeks until the pregnancy test can be taken.
IVF treatment was originally developed for women with damaged or missing fallopian tubes, it is also used for a variety of other infertility problems, particularly for male factor problems, endometriosis and advanced maternal age. It is also used when infertility cannot be explained and to treat ovulatory or structural causes of infertility such as cervical problems; fibroids; ovulation problems; polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); and artificial insemination failure.
Where to find fertility clinic treatments to help you conceive
If you would like to know more about IVF treatment or if you would like to meet one of our specialists to find out which treatment is right for you, simply click here https://medfem.co.za/contact-us/ to book an initial consultation or contact us telephonically on +27 (11) 463 2244.
Medfem Fertility Clinic’s team are committed and understanding team of medical professionals, who have the experience, knowledge and desire to provide you with the best chance of a successful outcome at the end of your treatment.
Since the 1980’s, Medfem Fertility Clinic’s team has assisted couples struggling with infertility to experience the joy of parenthood, helping to bring more than 18,000 babies into the world.
If you would like to meet one of our fertility specialists at our purpose-built medical facility conveniently located in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, to find out which way of conceiving is best for you, simply click here to book an initial consultation or contact us telephonically on +27 (11) 463 2244.
Our Fertility Specialists can also meet with You During a Virtual Consultation Via Zoom or Skype. Click here to book a virtual consultation now.
We look forward to meeting you!