Chapter 41, Page 2

What Kinds of Treatment Are Available?

Once you've discussed your infertility with your physician, you'll find that there are a number of treatments available. These include:

  • Medication that may be prescribed for either partner to improve fertility.
  • Surgery to correct an impediment.
  • In vitro fertilization (IVF) or gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) for patients who require assisted reproductive technologies.
  • Donor insemination, if male infertility is the problem.
  • Egg donation, if the female cannot produce eggs.
  • Surrogate parenting, if the woman has no uterus.
  • Adoption.

Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor

Your doctor may be able to make recommendations about treatment - but there are a number of questions that you should always ask your physician so that you can make the best decision. Unlike other medical problems, infertility recommendations are not always clear. You need to evaluate whether and how well each treatment option will help you reach your goals. Then you'll have to determine which options you will pursue. The following questions may help you build a foundation of medical information to assist you in your decision making process.

  • How much will this treatment improve our chances of pregnancy?
  • How much risk is involved and what kind of risk is it?
  • How long will we have to undergo this treatment in order to give it a reasonable chance to work?
  • Will undertaking this treatment eliminate other options?
  • How much will the treatment cost?
  • Are there other options if this treatment fails?

Your physician can help you determine how much time, physical discomfort, risk, and money will be required for a particular treatment option. You will have to decide how much money you are willing to spend, and how much emotional stress you can take.

You need to design your own fertility treatment plan. Not only will this help you maintain control over your life as you proceed with treatment, it will also help to ensure you get good quality medical care. Issues Affecting Your Choice

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Credits: How to Have a Baby: Overcoming Infertility