If you’re planning to start a family, but you’ve been struggling with infertility, a visit to a reproductive center may be the solution you’ve been looking for. With the advancement of science and reproductive health, in particular, infertility issues are being addressed on a more large-scale platform. This has allowed many couples to have babies through science and technology-based techniques.

Approximately 85-90% of infertility cases are treated with drug therapy or surgical procedures. In fact, of all the couples who go for fertility treatment, half of them become pregnant, according to the National Institutes of Health. While there are various treatments options to address infertility issues, you’ll have to consult your doctor who’ll devise a treatment plan for your specific case. Here’s a quick analysis of your treatment options.

1.Fertility Drugs
This is a fertility treatment plan that helps couples stabilize their hormones and improve their reproductive system. For women, the drugs release hormones that trigger ovulation and make the uterus ready for embryo implantation. The treatment can be administered orally or through injection, and it’s safe to use in combination with another treatment, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Fertility drugs are ideal for women with ovulation issues or those with partners with low semen quality. However, the drugs are discouraged if you suffer from endometriosis or have damaged fallopian tubes. This treatment is relatively cheap as compared to other forms of fertility treatment and it’s highly convenient. Some of the possible side effects of using fertility drugs include, but not limited to headaches, hot flashes, bloating, nausea, premature delivery and multiple births. However, most of these side effect will depend on the mode the drug was administered. The effects are more severe with the injections than the pills.

2.Artificial insemination
Another common treatment you’ll find in a reproductive center is the use of artificial insemination, which is also known as intrauterine insemination. This process involves inserting a specially prepared sperm directly into your uterus. Although the process can be done without fertility drugs, it’s recommended to use them to increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Intrauterine insemination is mainly used for men with low sperm count or motility. Also for women with scanty cervical mucous that makes it hard for sperm to travel. Therefore, the success rate of artificial insemination will depend on the quality of the man’s sperm and the woman’s age. The main side effect of this treatment, however, is the result of multiple births.

3.In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
If you have fertility problems may be as a result of damaged or blocked fallopian tube, low sperm count or any other factor that hinder the union between sperm and egg, you may be asked to consider assisted reproductive technology. Examples of this technology are Intro Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). In IVF procedure, your eggs will be extracted and then fertilized with your partner’s sperm in a lab. After the embryo has formed, it’s implanted in your uterus.

In ICSI, on the other hand, an embryologist picks the most fertile sperm from your partner’s semen and feeds it into the egg. The remaining process is similar to IVF procedure. Although IVF and ICSI are costly as compared to fertility drugs and artificial insemination, they are highly recommended for couples with serious fertility problems.

4.Reproductive Surgery
Reproductive centers carry out surgeries for patients with reproductive issues that could be fixed. Examples include clear fallopian blockages, correct anatomical abnormalities and remove scarring caused by endometriosis. The success rate for this operation will highly depend on the condition’s severity and also the age factor. Other than improving your chances of getting pregnant, reproductive surgery will reduce pain and discomfort caused by the condition.

Other fertility treatment options offered in reproductive centers include donor eggs, surrogacy, donor embryos, gamete intrafallopian and zygote intrafallopian transfer. Before committing to any treatment, make sure you understand the pros and cons of each by consulting a fertility expert.