Fertility Treatment

What Is IVF Treatment?

Considerable progress has been made in fertility treatment. For most couples a solution can now be found. Infertility affects 15 % of all couples.


To explain what is involved in fertility treatment you should understand the causes of infertility. First we need to take a look at the steps that lead to normal pregnancy.

Fertilisation occurs with contact between a sperm and an egg or oocyte. The fertilised oocyte then replicates and becomes a solid ball. It then implants iitself in the uterus and evolves into a healthy baby. When, the oocyte and sperm cell are unable to fuse together, the couple is infertile. This can be caused by problems with the quality of the sperm or the female reproductive organs. In 40% of cases both male and female factors cause infertility. in IVF treatment Both partners need to be examined.

During the male evaluation a microscopic examination and analysis of the semen is made. A normal, fertile sperm sample should be very motile (actively progressively moving, self-propelled) and normal looking sperm cells in sufficient quantity. If the male sperm quality appears poor, a more intense physical study of the male is required. Sometimes it isn't possible to determine the cause of male infertility. However there are IVFl treatments such as microinjection of sperm cells (ICSI) to assist in such cases. It is unusual that insemination with donor sperm is required.

During the female evaluation we first check for anatomical anomalies. During an examination of the cervix the cervical mucus is tested (this should be viscous) any signs of infection are detected. The uterus and its cavity should be normal in shape to enable the embryo to implant. Radiographs are taken to examine the shape of the uterus while contrast fluid is injected into the cervix of the uterus. By doing this it is possible to examine the uterine tubes. Sometimes the gynaecologist undertakes a hysteroscopy, this is a visual examination of the internal aspects of the uterine cavity, through the use of an optical tube.

Where infertility has been prevalent for a number of years the consultant will carry out a laparoscopic examination particularly if there are indications of either previous infections, surgery or painful periods. This examination is carried out under anaesthesia where an optical fibre is inserted through the umbilical noose. With this examination it is possible to view the inner aspects of the pelvic organs. Slightl anatomical abnormalities can be corrected using this laparoscopic method.

If the female organs are OK, then infertility could be due to hormone irregularity. This can be determined by analysing a blood sample.

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