Fertility treatments: what techniques exist and when they are used

1. Choosing the right technique

Choosing the right treatment is based on an assessment of various factors: the degree of infertility of both partners, their age, the underlying cause of infertility, and their overall health. A fertility specialist may suggest a combination of techniques to improve the chances of success, such as IVF with pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and embryo vitrification.

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2. Low-complexity techniques

Low-complexity techniques are less invasive, low-cost and do not require surgery. They are ideal for couples with mild infertility and do not pose any significant risks to the patient.

3. Artificial insemination (AI)

Artificial insemination (AI) is one of the most common and simplest options for treating infertility. It involves introducing sperm directly into the female reproductive system to facilitate fertilisation. There are several forms of AI, the most common being intrauterine insemination.

Process:

1. The woman’s ovarian cycle is stimulated with medication.
2. Ovulation is monitored by ultrasound and hormone tests.
3. Once the woman is ready, the semen (from the partner or a donor) is introduced into the uterus.

AI does not require anaesthesia and is a painless procedure.

More information: Artificial insemination: how it works and what results to expect

3.1 Fertility preservation

Fertility preservation is an important option for those who wish to postpone parenthood for various reasons, such as cancer treatment or simply personal choice. It involves freezing eggs or sperm to preserve them for later use when the decision to have children is made.

Process:

• In women, the eggs are stimulated and extracted from the ovaries, then frozen.
• In men, a semen sample is taken, frozen and stored for future use.

More information: Fertility preservation: options and when to do it

4. Highly complex techniques

Highly complex techniques involve the use of advanced technologies and highly specialised personnel. These procedures are more expensive and generally have higher success rates, but also carry more risks.

4.1 In vitro fertilisation (IVF)

In vitro fertilisation is a technique in which a woman’s eggs are fertilised with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then transferred to the uterus for development.

Process:

1. Ovarian stimulation: Hormones are administered to stimulate the ovaries and obtain several mature eggs.
2. Egg retrieval: The eggs are retrieved from the ovaries by follicular puncture.
3. Fertilisation: The eggs are fertilised with the sperm.
4. Embryo transfer: The most viable embryos are selected and transferred to the uterus.

More information: In Vitro Fertilisation: everything you need to know

4.2 Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

ICSI is an advanced variation of IVF, particularly recommended in cases of male infertility. It involves the direct injection of a single sperm into the egg, which increases the chances of fertilisation in cases of poor sperm quality.

More information: Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

4.3 Embryo Transfer

After IVF or ICSI, the embryos obtained must be transferred to the uterus to initiate pregnancy. This technique is the final step in in vitro fertilisation treatments.

Process:

1. Embryo selection: The embryos with the highest probability of success are chosen.
2. Transfer to the uterus: A catheter is used to insert the embryos into the woman’s uterus.

More information: How many embryos should be transferred in IVF?

4.4 Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

PGD allows embryos with possible genetic abnormalities to be identified before transfer. This technique is used to prevent certain genetic diseases from being passed on to the child.

This technique can make all the difference if you have had previous failures or have a genetic history. Learn more about PGD and when it is recommended.

5. Frequently asked questions about artificial insemination