Using Technology To Tackle Common Infertility Woes
For as often as people avoid talking about infertility, struggling to conceive is actually way more common than many individuals would assume. Research has shown that infertility is more than just a woman’s problem. Roughly a third of infertility cases are caused by male issues, and another third are caused by a combined problem with both members in a couple trying to conceive. Historically, some causes, such as unexplained infertility, didn’t have treatment options. Instead, couples facing this problem had to adopt or forego starting a family. However, these days, assisted reproductive therapy (ART) has made conception possible for more hopeful parents facing infertility.
When male infertility is the cause
If egg and sperm are required to successfully conceive, people shouldn't be surprised that male infertility is a real issue couples face. Common issues such as having a low sperm count, sperm with poor motility, or chromosomal abnormalities can make conception harder. However, ART treatments can provide workaround solutions. For example, intrauterine insemination (IUI) injects sperm directly into the uterus, which can help with poor motility. If motility is a major factor, both gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) will premix egg and sperm outside of the body and immediately insert the solution directly into the fallopian tubes. Likewise, using donor sperm is always an option.
When poor egg quality occurs
Of all the fertility treatments, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is probably the most widely known and offers the best success rates. IVF includes boosting ovulation, retrieving several eggs, managing fertilization outside of the body, and transferring the embryo into the uterus. The process is usually known as a solid option to combat female infertility. Yet, women can also attempt IVF if eggs were harvested previously to preserve fertility, such as with cancer treatments, which can cause sterility. The option is also available for same-sex couples that want to conceive and may include using both donor eggs and sperm.
Modifying IVF to improve odds
Because IVF is the most successful of ART techniques, the procedure has a range of customizations that are proven to boost success rates. For example, assisted hatching can help with the implantation process once an embryo is transferred to a woman's uterus. Before the transfer, specialists use tools to gently crack the embryo's surface, reducing issues associated with attaching to the uterine wall.
Relying on donors
Even when a couple chooses to undergo IUI or IVF, sometimes one or both individuals have known egg or sperm quality issues. To improve the chances of conceiving, donor eggs or sperm may be needed. One benefit of opting for donor samples is that fertility clinics provide thorough screenings to avoid the most common genetic conditions. Likewise, interested parties can select a donor that matches certain desired traits such as race or ethnicity, or even academic performance.
Offering hope through technology
Infertility is often treated like a dirty little secret, even though the condition is incredibly common. Thanks to modern technology, ART treatments can address a wide range of issues, from poor sperm quality or chromosomal abnormalities to difficulty conceiving because of poor ovulation or even sterility due to cancer treatments. In modern times, technology is allowing more people to start or expand a family than ever before.
