San Diego Fertility Low Tech Treatment Options

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Fertility Services

Low Tech Treatment Options

Treatment Options

Though the causes of infertility are numerous and complex, both male and female factors can be successfully addressed with many of today's technologies. Our desire is to help you conceive as naturally as possible. Therefore, considering your diagnosis, we carefully move into the next steps. Treatment options may include minimally invasive surgery such as laparoscopy or hysteroscopy to correct or improve anatomical abnormalities. Ovulations induction therapy can be undertaken to increase the production of eggs with intrauterine insemination (IUI) precisely timed for when fertilization could occur. More advanced care with In Vitro Fertilization might be necessary.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

To diagnose certain problems, we may need to look directly into the abdomen and at the reproductive organs. This can be done with laparoscopy. A laparoscope is a small telescope that is inserted through a small incision in the abdominal wall. It brings light into the abdomen so the doctor can see inside and repair any problems that are discovered. Laparoscopy is usually performed in an operating room on an outpatient basis.

Hysteroscopy is a surgical procedure that allows the physician to inspect the inside of the uterus by inserting a hysteroscope (a small telescope about the size of a pen) through the vagina and cervix and into the uterus. This procedure takes place in an operating room or in a doctor's office. Gas or liquid is placed into the uterus through the hysteroscope to separate the walls and allow inspection. Fibroids, polyps, scarring, abnormal contour and malignancies may be seen and corrected.

Ovulation Induction

Ovulation induction is one of the most common treatments for many causes of infertility. Medications may be used to stimulate your ovaries to produce eggs during the treatment cycle. Depending on your diagnosis and your treatment plan, intercourse and/or intrauterine insemination (IUI) will be scheduled around the time of ovulation. To ensure the best chance for successful treatment, precise timing is required. In most cases, your progress will be evaluated through regular monitoring including ultrasounds to visualize egg production and blood work to track your hormonal response to the medication.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination is often used in conjunction with ovulation induction cycles. IUI is an effective treatment for several infertility problems. IUI bypasses the cervix, making it a useful treatment if there has been a problem with an adequate amount of sperm reaching the egg. Sometimes fertility medications such as clomiphene citrate (Clomid) can actually change the thickness of the cervical mucus, preventing the sperm from swimming up into the uterus. IUI is useful for the treatment of mild to moderate male-factor infertility, in cases of low sperm count or poor sperm motility. To prepare for the IUI procedure, the sperm are prepared so that the most motile and viable sperm are concentrated into a very small volume. A small catheter is introduced through the cervix and into the uterus and sperm are injected high in the uterus.