Laparoscopy:  If you are suffering from pelvic or tubal abnormalities, one option is to surgically reproduce the organs.  It can be done laparoscopically.  Problems in terms of scar tissue, endometriosis, blocked tubes, ovarian cysts can be removed this way.

Hysteroscopy:  A device called hysteroscope is placed into your uterus through your cervix.  This method is usually followed to remove polyps and fibroid tumors, divide scar tissue and open up blocked tubes.

Medication:  If the problem is with the ovulation, issues are generally sorted out via medications such as such as clomiphene citrate, gonadotropins or letrozole.  Gonadotropins can spur ovulation.  These drugs induce your ovaries to release multiple eggs as against the norm of one egg each month.  Gonadotropin is usually given for “unexplained” infertility or the fertility treatments thus far failed to bring the desired result.  However, if you are suffering from insulin resistance or PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), glucophage is the medicine to go for.  It should be noted that you can take medications only in consultation with your doctor.

Intrauterine insemination:  In this procedure, semen is injected into your uterus directly after getting it rinsed with a special solution.  This is done during the time of your ovulation.  At times it is done in conjunction with your medications that help trigger the release of an egg.

In vitro fertilization (IVF):  IVF is a series of medical procedures that is used to help with fertility or prevent genetic abnormalities so as to assist with the conception of a child.  In an IVF procedure, mature eggs are collected from ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a lab.  Then the fertilized egg or eggs (as the case may be) are transferred to the uterus.  A full cycle of IVF takes about three weeks.  As each case is different, sometimes these steps are split into different parts and the process can take longer.

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection):   Sperm is injected directly into the egg in a dish and subsequently the fertilized egg is placed into your uterus.

GIFT (Gamete Intrafallopian Tube Transfer) and ZIFT (Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer):  These procedures are almost like IVF, where eggs are retrieved, mixed it with sperm in a lab and finally transfer them into your body.  In ZIFT, fertilized eggs are called zygotes and are implanted within 24 hours.  In GIFT, sperm and eggs are combined before being placed into your uterus.

Egg donation:  This is ideal for women who have healthy uterus but ovaries don’t function right.  In this procedure, eggs from the ovary of a donor are removed and after IVF the fertilized egg is implanted into your uterus.

Can female infertility be prevented?

Sadly, there is nothing we can say with 100% conviction that this will prevent infertility, especially if it is related to genetic disorder or disease.  However, adhering to certain standards can raise your bar of fertility a few notches.  Some of them are the following:

• Take proper steps to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and infections
• Avoid illicit drugs
• Kick out the bottle and say “no” to alcohol
• Practice good personal hygiene and health habits
• Last but not the least, fix an appointment with your gynecologist at least once a year once you are sexually active

For enquiries related to female infertility, send a message to www.kjkhospital.com/contact