In-Vitro Fertilization
In-Vitro Fertilization is an Assisted Reproductive Technique that helps with fertilization, embryo development and implantation, making pregnancy easier. It is a safe technique with a high success rate in achieving a successful pregnancy and having a healthy child.
IVF is a term that is often heard in today’s times. Although a lot of apprehension clouds the term, advancement in science and technology has rendered the process simpler, safer and affordable that helps couple unlock the door to parenthood and realize their dreams.
Many couples willing to have their own child are still unable to become pregnant after first line therapy such as ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination, or reproductive surgery. For these couples, the next logical step is to explore the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) popularly known as Test Tube Baby.
IVF is a technological process where several eggs are retrieved from a woman’s ovaries and then fertilized by the husband’s sperm outside the body in a controlled environment of the laboratory. The fertilized eggs then develop into embryos and these are returned to the woman’s uterus, by a procedure called embryo transfer.
Medications
It is necessary to take certain medications during the IVF cycle in order to prepare the body for the treatment. The instructions for each medication vary from patient to patient. The medical team at fertility clinic will analyze your case closely to determine which medications to use, what dosage to take, when to administer the medications and how long to take them.
Similar to clomiphene therapy, letrozole is another form of ovulation induction therapy. Letrozole use is not indicated by the FDA for ovulation induction/ fertility therapy. Those that use Letrozole are using it off label. Letrozole has become more popular as an ovulation induction agent in the past 5 years as it has less side effects when compared to Clomiphene. Often letrozole is used for women with poor endometrial linings or those who did not respond to Clomiphene. There are many fertility specialists who like letrozole better than Clomiphene and use it first before clomiphene
Gonadotropin therapy is a kind of medication administered as an injection and designed to stimulate the development of multiple eggs. It is much “stronger” than the oral medications, and often stimulates many more eggs to develop. This type of therapy may result in an increased risk of multiple births, and because of the increased risk of multiples some woman who do not ovulate are not good candidates for this therapy. Your fertility specialist can help determine if you are a good candidate for this therapy.