Ins & outs of fertility treatments
First, you’ll need some tests. Then, you and your fertility specialist can discuss the right treatment options for you. We’ll cover all the details so you feel informed and empowered every step of the way.
Getting an evaluation
Diagnostic tests, or fertility evaluations, may include:
Blood work
- Checks for hormonal abnormalities or potential genetic factors that can contribute to infertility
- Checks ovarian reserve
Ultrasound
- Counts the number of follicles in the ovary (aka an antral follicle count)
- Checks the uterus and ovaries for abnormalities such as fibroids and ovarian cysts
HSG test
- aka “hysterosalpingogram test”
- Helps the doctor check for blockage and shows the path leading through fallopian tubes
Diagnostic hysteroscopy
- Checks the uterus for any potential abnormalities that could contribute to infertility
Semen analysis
- Determines if the number, shape, and movement of the sperm is normal
Curious about male factor infertility? Take this assessment we've created in partnership with Posterity Health.
Some labs may provide at-home testing options, including Posterity Health and Labcorp OnDemand. You should consult your doctor about whether semen analysis is appropriate for you.*
Ovarian
Reserve Tests
- Can assess egg quantity to help predict ovarian response to stimulation
- Can also indicate conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which may affect the ability to conceive
Some labs may provide test options you can purchase on your own, including Labcorp OnDemand. You should consult your doctor about whether an ovarian reserve test is appropriate for you.*
Decode the ins and outs of insurance
Understanding your insurance can be a game-changer when it comes to your fertility journey.
Understanding treatment options
After the evaluation, your fertility specialist might talk to you about your options. Since everyone is unique, your plan might look different from someone else’s. But you’ll probably talk about one or more of these treatments:
Ovarian induction (OI)
is one of the first treatment options your doctor may discuss. During OI, fertility drugs are used to stimulate one or multiple eggs, depending on the diagnosis, to grow and be released from the ovaries to help increase the chances for conception. This is performed in conjunction with either timed intercourse or IUI.Medications may include:
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Clomiphene citrate
- Letrozole
- Human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG)
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
You may have heard of IUI and IVF as options that can be used to treat infertility. Let’s break down the differences.
What is IUI (intrauterine insemination)?
Usually, IUI is one of the first treatments your fertility specialist might recommend, after commonly used oral or injectable fertility medicines. During the procedure, sperm is placed directly into the uterus in order to bypass the cervix and place the sperm closer to the egg.
But while IUI is often less expensive, it only offers about an 8%—10% chance of pregnancy per cycle.
What is IVF (in vitro fertilization)?
With IVF, sperm and eggs are combined outside the body in a laboratory. Fertilized eggs are grown into embryos which are then transferred into the uterus in hopes of achieving pregnancy. While IVF is the most effective fertility treatment option with a 48% success rate* for women younger than 35, it’s also among the most expensive.
*Success was defined in clinical data as live births per cycle.
Certain medical conditions, such as problems with your fallopian tubes, endometriosis, or fibroids, can cause fertility issues. In many cases, surgery can treat these problems, restoring your chance to conceive. And thanks to medical advances, most of these procedures are minimally invasive and have a short recovery period.
Here’s a list of common fertility-related surgeries:
Laparoscopy: Sometimes used as a diagnostic tool, laparoscopy involves the insertion of a small, lighted camera into the pelvic cavity, which allows your doctor to check for things such as scar tissue, endometriosis, and blockages impacting the fallopian tubes and ovaries. If issues are discovered, your surgeon may use additional surgical tools to correct the problems.
Operative hysteroscopy: In addition to being a diagnostic tool, a hysteroscopy can also be used to remove tissue or growths that interfere with fertility. Operative hysteroscopy can provide a view of fibroids, scar tissue, polyps, and abnormalities inside the uterine cavity.
Myomectomy: Myomectomy refers to the removal of uterine fibroids and is sometimes called fibroidectomy. It’s often done through laparotomy (which is a major surgery—see below), but can sometimes be done via laparoscopy or hysteroscopy, which are less invasive.
Laparotomy: If minimally invasive procedures are not feasible, your doctor may recommend laparotomy. This is a major surgery, performed under general anesthesia on an inpatient basis (which means you’ll be spending time in the hospital).
Stay Informed
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