Did you know that 1 in 6 couples experience infertility in India?
Over the last decade, the use of artificial insemination has skyrocketed across the world, allowing many infertile couples to get pregnant. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has advanced significantly and is now discussed practically daily in scientific and medical journals as well as the lay press.
Seeking infertility treatment involves learning nearly an entirely new terminology. You’ve probably heard the phrase Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and wondered if it can help you in your journey. Knowing your ART options will help you better understand your own body and consider alternative ways that may prove to be beneficial.
In this post, we’ll discuss what Assisted Reproductive Technology is and the types of ARTs that are available in India.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
What is Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)?
ART is a complex and biotechnologically improved treatment that can assist a couple in conceiving when all other traditional medical and surgical remedial treatments have failed. The different types of assisted reproductive technology procedures can be performed on both males and females.
The method is so advanced that it can operate with your gametes (sperm and ovum) at the microscopic (cellular) level, and it has helped millions of heartbroken couples become proud parents. The eggs and sperms are treated in a laboratory setting, which eliminates the involvement of sexual intercourse.
Who Can Choose ART?
- ART is most effective in couples who have an issue or a medical condition that makes it nearly impossible for the sperm to fertilize the egg.
- Women who ovulate irregularly may also benefit from ART, as each ART cycle enhances the chances of a successful pregnancy.
- In couples with unexplained infertility, ART is also a feasible choice. This is because the chances of conception increase with each ART cycle, and ART can avoid several common but difficult-to-diagnose issues.
- People who have tried and failed other treatments, as well as those seeking to conceive without a spouse, may benefit from ART as well.
Types of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
Although In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is the most well-known type of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), it is not your only choice. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is a collection of methods used to treat infertility that falls under the domain of reproductive endocrinology. Here are some types of Assisted Reproductive Technologies available:
1. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI):
Another treatment that is nearly as common as IVF is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). The only distinction between IUI and IVF is that sperm is injected into the woman’s womb during ovulation, thus the name “insemination.” The egg inside a woman’s uterus is fertilized through intrauterine insemination. IUI is most effective when the man’s sperm has difficulty getting to the egg—often owing to limited motility, but occasionally due to a chemical mismatch between the man’s sperm and the woman’s vaginal fluids. IUI needs just one operation, during which the sperm is inserted into the woman.
2. In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF):
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a comparatively modern procedure that has been used for around three decades now. It’s also one of the more successful choices, with a success rate of approximately 25 to 60% depending on the cause every cycle. During an IVF cycle, a doctor extracts the woman’s eggs and fertilizes them with sperm. The fertilized egg grows in a petri dish for many days before it develops into an embryo. The embryo is then implanted back into the woman’s uterus by a doctor. To increase the chance of getting pregnant, doctors implant multiple embryos in the uterus.
3. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI):
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is the procedure of manually injecting a single sperm into an egg for fertilization under the supervision of some really advanced microscopes. The difference between ICSI and IVF is that the latter involves the placement of an egg and numerous sperm in a tube. The embryologists wait for the sperm and egg to spontaneously merge. ICSI is beneficial in situations of severe male infertility or testicular derived sperms.
4. Intrafallopian Transfer:
The egg is fertilized inside the woman’s fallopian tube during an intrafallopian transfer. Intrafallopian transfers are an excellent choice for couples with infertility, sperm mobility difficulties, or when the woman has a fallopian tube difficulty, such as a blocked tube. A Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT) is a procedure that involves transferring sperm and eggs into a woman’s fallopian tube, where the sperm fertilizes the egg. Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT) is comparable to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Unlike IVF, however, the embryos are implanted in the fallopian tube.
If you’re thinking about ART, you should be prepared to make a financial and emotional commitment, as it can require time and effort.
Whatever fertility procedures you pick, whatever fertility complications you face, the proper fertility doctor may make all the difference in the world. A fertility professional is your best ally in achieving a speedy and successful pregnancy. Dr. Banker can help you on your journey from infertility to fertility. He is currently one of the most renowned fertility doctors in Ahmedabad, India, with over 40 years of experience.
For more details, visit us at BankerIVF.
Also Read: Causes of Infertility in Men & Women