Assisted Infertility Technology

If the variety of natural infertility treatment options and medication infertility treatment methods do not work for you, than your doctor may recommend assisted reproductive technology (ART).  Infertility treatment under the assisted reproductive technology heading are methods that involve implanting a fertilized egg into the female's uterus.

There are currently about seven infertility treatment methods that are considered assisted reproductive technology.  Likely to be the most common infertility treatment method is IVF- or In Vitro Fertilization.  The female's eggs are extracted and combined with the partner's sperm in a petri dish.  If fertilization occurs, the fertilized egg is returned to the uterus.  This method of infertility treatment will often involve fertility drugs to increase the number of eggs the female produces to increase the rate of success.  Local anesthetics are often used to make the process as comfortable as possible.

Another method of assisted reproductive technology is GIFT- or Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer.  This particular infertility treatment method combines the female egg and male sperm in the same manner as IVF, except they are transferred into the female's fallopian tubes for the fertilization to occur within the body rather than a petri dish. The female must have no abnormal fallopian tube functioning, and will require the use of general anesthesia for the infertility treatment procedure.

If the cause of infertility is due to the female being unable to produce quality eggs for fertilization, than an egg donor can provide a healthy egg for IVF.  If successful fertilization occurs, the female will give birth to the child biologically, but the child will not have the genetic make up of the mother.  This infertility treatment option usually has a success rate between 30 and 60% of the time.

Other assisted reproductive technology exists to help infertile couples give birth.  The infertility treatment method you choose should be considered carefully and with the help of your doctor.