Treating Infertility - Drugs, IVF and AI for Infertility (GCSE Biology)
Drugs, IVF and AI for Infertility
Treating Infertility
For many people, becoming pregnant is a very difficult task. People can be infertile, meaning that they cannot have children. This could be due to different medical reasons.
In order to make having a child more accessible to as many people as possible, fertility treatment can be provided. Hormones are key in many of these treatments.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) can also be used where a woman’s eggs and a man’s sperm are handled to improve fertility. In Vitro Fertilisation and Artificial Insemination are examples of this and they are explained in more detail below.
Fertility Drugs
- FSH and LH can be used to stimulate egg maturation. Some women struggle to produce enough FSH to cause egg maturation. This means that it is very difficult for fertilisation to occur. By giving ‘fertility drugs’ containing FSH and LH, the maturation of the eggs can take place and there is a better chance of fertilisation taking place.
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) involves fertilising an embryo, in vitro or in glass. This process is used in women who have fertility problems involving blocked oviducts and men with issues with their sperm.
There are strict guidelines before being offered IVF on the NHS. Current guidelines say that it may be offered to women under the age of 43, who have tried and failed to become pregnant after two years of regular unprotected sex.
The process has many steps:
- Drugs stimulate production of sex cells. The women is given FSH and LH drugs in order to stimulate the eggs to mature. The male may be given a drug to stimulate production of sperm, although this is rarer.
- Fertilisation takes place in the lab. Eggs are then removed from the mother and sperm is taken from the father. They are then mixed outside of the body to stimulate fertilisation.
- Fertilised eggs grow into embryos. Eventually the eggs become fertilised by the sperm, and they start to grow into embryos.
- Embryos are implanted back into the mother. The embryos grow into balls of one or two cells. We can select one or two embryos, which are then implanted back into the mother’s uterus (womb). The mother should then have a normal pregnancy.
Artificial Insemination (AI)
Artificial Insemination (AI) involves inserting sperm directly into a woman’s uterus, fallopian tubes or cervix. It may be used alongside hormone-containing fertility drugs.
This method can be used if a couple is unable to have intercourse. It can also be used for women using donor sperm or for same-sex couples.
Infertility is the inability to conceive a child or carry a pregnancy to term after trying for a certain period of time. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal imbalances, structural issues, and underlying medical conditions.
There are several treatments for infertility, including medication, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and artificial insemination (AI). The best treatment for a given individual will depend on the cause of their infertility and their personal medical history.
Infertility drugs are medications used to stimulate ovulation or regulate the menstrual cycle. They are often used in conjunction with other infertility treatments, such as IVF or AI.
IVF involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory setting. The resulting embryos are then transferred back into the uterus, where they can implant and grow into a pregnancy.
The success rate of IVF varies depending on factors such as the age of the woman undergoing treatment, the cause of infertility, and the specific IVF clinic. On average, the success rate of IVF is estimated to be around 40-50% per cycle.
Artificial insemination (AI) is a fertility treatment that involves placing sperm directly into the uterus or cervix, bypassing the fallopian tubes. This can be done using either the partner’s sperm or donor sperm.
AI is typically performed using a procedure known as intrauterine insemination (IUI), in which sperm is inserted directly into the uterus. This can be done with either freshly collected sperm or frozen sperm that has been thawed and prepared for the procedure.
Infertility treatments can come with a range of risks and side effects, including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), multiple pregnancies, and birth defects. It is important to discuss the potential risks and side effects of each treatment with a doctor before starting any infertility treatment.
The success rate of AI depends on factors such as the cause of infertility, the age of the woman undergoing treatment, and the specific AI procedure being used. On average, the success rate of AI is estimated to be around 10-15% per cycle.
There are several things you can do to improve your chances of success with infertility treatments, including maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, and working with a doctor to identify and treat any underlying medical conditions. Additionally, working with a fertility specialist who has experience with your specific type of infertility can also increase your chances of success.
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