Below are a few definitions of terms used in fertility treatment which may be of help to people new to these procedures.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is process in which sperm are artificially placed in the uterus. This procedure helps to ensure that more sperm are available and able to access the egg, and may help conception.
Insemination can take place in four physical locations: the vagina (intravaginal insemination), the cervix (intracervical insemination), the uterus and the fallopian tubes (intratubal insemination). While artificial insemination is seen as a general term for these four methods, intrauterine insemination is the more exact name that refers to the specific method of placing sperm in the uterus. Of the four methods, IUI is the most common.
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
In vitro fertilisation refers to the fertilisation process that occurs under laboratory conditions and not inside the mother’s womb.
The procedure involves the woman having her cycle regulated, followed by injections of fertility drugs before having her eggs collected.
Once collected, the eggs are combined with sperm, left to culture and then transferred back to the womb for implantation.
The IVF procedure mostly covers a period of approximately 20 – 25 days. Collection of the egg takes place after the cycle has been closely monitored and prior to ovulation. This is a transvaginal process taking not more than 20 minutes and should be completely comfortable under proper sedation.
Once the egg has been collected from the woman, and the sperm has undergone a further grading process, the two are placed together. The resulting fertilised eggs are then left to incubate under controlled conditions and develop into embryos.
If the resulting embryos are suitable, they will be placed into the uterus in 3 to 5 days time, when they have reached a certain growth stage. This is done using a catheter through the vagina and the cervix. The woman may also be given an additional drug dose to thicken the uterus walls and increase the chances of the embryos successfully implanting.
ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)
ICSI is a technique sometimes used with in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in which one sperm is injected directly into one egg in order to fertilise it. This is especially appropriate for men with very low sperm counts since ICSI ensures that the sperm reaches the egg directly rather than waiting for the sperm to naturally fertilise the egg. Thus, ICSI is sometimes used as a treatment method for male infertility or 'male factor' issues such as:
Low sperm count low sperm motility
Damaged or absent vas deferensIrreversible vasectomy
Immunological factors (such as a very high white blood cell count in the semen)
Other conditions that prevent the fertilisation of the egg
Since ICSI is used with in vitro fertilisation, the process starts with standard IVF procedure. Once the eggs are collected the single sperm is injected directly into the woman's egg . As in in vitro fertilisation without ICSI, the fertilised egg is then allowed to develop for 3 to 5 days before the embryo is transferred back into the uterus.
Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)
GIFT is an assisted reproductive technology procedure in which the eggs are removed, combined with the sperm and then placed inside the fallopian tubes for fertilisation.
This infertility treatment procedure differs from IVF, because in IVF, fertilisation occurs in the lab as opposed to within the fallopian tubes.
The procedure involves stimulation of the eggs with medication, followed by collection of the eggs. The combined eggs and sperm are then transferred into the fallopian tubes.
The procedure used is considered a more invasive process than IVF.
Ultrasounds
You are likely to undergo a number of diagnostic ultrasounds over the course of your treatment. These are painless.
Ultrasounds use high frequency sound waves to create images that can be viewed on a monitor. Abdominal ultrasound and transvaginal ultrasound are those most commonly used during infertility treatments.
A pelvic ultrasound is used to get a picture of your reproductive organs.
An abdominal ultrasound can reveal the presence of fibroids, cysts, endometriosis or PCOS, as well as check the general health of your reproductive system.
A transvaginal ultrasound may be used to assess the health of your cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Ultrasound is used to monitor follicular growth and development, establish when certain procedures, such as retrieval, should be carried out, and to guide the consultant during egg retrieval for IVF.Clomid
One of the more commonly used medications to aid fertility is Clomid.
Clomid works to stimulate a woman’s ovaries to mature an increased number of follicles every month.
Because Clomid increases the number of mature follicles in the ovaries, the drug also increases the likelihood of ovulation and pregnancy. It increases the amount of three hormones involved in the ovulation process, including: gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) luteinizing hormone (LH) follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).