In the past, infertility was considered a disease that was not curable. And it has been associated with many psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, or stress. However, there have been several methods for treating infertility in recent years.
The Institute of reproductive medicine is a leading center for infertility research and infertility treatment. It was established in 1983 as a joint venture between the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Institute provides education, clinical care, and basic science research programs.
Today, the Institute of Reproductive Medicine is one of the largest centres for fertility treatments in the United States. It also offers a fellowship in reproductive medicine.
The Institute’s mission is to provide high-quality infertility services through innovative research, patient care, and community outreach.
Before starting any treatment, you should have a thorough discussion with your doctor about what kind of treatment would be best for you.
Here are 12 questions to ask before beginning an IVF treatment.
1. What is IVF?
IVF stands for “in vitro fertilization”, which means that eggs are removed from women’s ovaries and then are fertilized outside the body. The fertilized egg cells are placed back into the woman’s uterus to implant and grow into babies. This process is called embryo transfer.
2. Why do couples need IVF?
Infertility affects about 15% of all married couples worldwide. It is estimated that more than half of infertile couples have male factor infertility. Male infertility occurs when the sperm count is low or when sperm cannot move properly through the female reproductive tract. Female infertility may be due to blockage of fallopian tubes, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or other conditions.
3. How does IVF work?
The first step of IVF is preparing the patient’s body to produce healthy eggs. Doctors inject hormones to stimulate their growth after removing eggs from the ovary. Then, the doctor takes one or two mature eggs out of the woman’s ovary and puts them in a petri dish to fertilize them with the man’s sperm. When the eggs have been fertilized, they are returned to the woman’s uterus. If the embryos survive, they are transferred to the woman’s womb.
4. Who needs IVF?
The main reason people choose IVF is that they want to become pregnant quickly. Some patients who have had multiple miscarriages also use IVF to get pregnant again. Other causes include having no children yet, being older, and having specific health issues like cancer or diabetes.
5. Are there any risks involved in IVF?
Several potential risks are involved in IVF, but most are very rare. One risk is a condition known as OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome), which happens when too many follicles develop during the stimulation phase. These follicles release large amounts of estrogen, which causes fluid retention in the abdomen and legs. Another possible complication is ectopic pregnancy when the fertilized egg implants somewhere else in the woman’s body instead of inside her uterus.
6. What are the chances of success?
It is not possible to forecast how effective a given treatment will be. However, if you are over 35 years old, then getting pregnant decreases significantly.
7. What is the cost of IVF?
Cost varies depending on how much time it takes to prepare the patient’s body for egg retrieval, how many eggs are retrieved, and whether or not the embryos are frozen. In addition, the cost depends on the number of times the procedure has been done previously.
8. Which medications will I need to take during the process?
Your doctor will discuss what medications you should take before starting the IVF cycle during your initial consultation. For example, some drugs will help prevent premature ovulation, while others will reduce your risk of developing blood clots.
9. Can I still work while undergoing IVF?
Yes! You can continue working throughout the entire process. Your doctor might recommend taking short breaks every hour or so, though.
10. How long will my period be delayed?
You may experience some irregular bleeding up until the day of embryo transfer. It is normal and doesn’t mean anything wrong is happening.
11. Will I feel different after the procedure?
Many women report feeling tired and sore afterwards. Doctors usually prescribe pain medication to ease these symptoms.
12. Is IVF covered by insurance?
Insurance companies usually cover IVF if the couple meets specific criteria. For example, some insurance plans only pay for treatments that result in live births, while others cover any fertility treatment. In addition, if the couple already has children, they may be denied coverage because the insurance provider assumes the child was born naturally.
