OB-GYN in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn: 3 Top Assisted Reproduction Methods

Understanding Assisted Reproduction

Assisted reproduction is defined as the medical procedures and techniques that achieve human reproduction through biotechnological assistance. The entire reproductive process, from the manipulation of eggs, sperm and embryo to achieve pregnancy, is also encompassed within this field. 

Among the main reasons for resorting to assisted reproductive technology is infertility, associated with various factors such as reproductive diseases, pregnancies at an advanced age, or hormonal disorders. 

When to Consult a Gynecologist?

If you and your partner are trying to conceive, the following are indicators that it’s important to seek help:

• After one year of trying unsuccessfully to conceive without using any contraception.
• If you are over 35 years old or have been trying unsuccessfully for six months.
• If you or your partner have a history of genetic disorders that you do not want to pass on to your baby.

The main causes of infertility in young couples include: 

• Deep endometriosis
• Low ovarian reserve
• Ovulation disorders (such as polycystic ovary syndrome)
• Low sperm concentration or motility in men

Beneficiaries of this technology also include older adults, single mothers, and same-sex couples.

Read more about service: Gynecology in Flatbush and Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn

Diagnosis and Assisted Reproduction Treatments

Every case is different! Therefore, the gynecologist will conduct a consultation to understand your reproductive history, order clinical tests, and evaluate the couple’s reproductive system.

After diagnosing the infertility problem, the most appropriate method for your case can be considered. The recommended treatment varies depending on the cause of the infertility, its duration, and the woman’s age. The main procedures are detailed below:

1. Timed Intercourse 

This is a very simple and low-complexity technique. The treatment aims to stimulate ovulation with medication, accompanied by ultrasound to determine the most suitable time for fertilization. Consequently, fertility stimulation is non-invasive and is indicated for couples with mild infertility problems.

The treatment begins on the second or third day of the menstrual cycle by administering medication to stimulate the ovarian follicles. When the follicles reach the desired size, a dose of the hormone hCG is administered to promote ovulation. The woman is then advised to have sexual intercourse with her male partner.

The timed intercourse treatment lasts approximately 15 days. Afterward, you simply have to wait for the results.

2. Artificial Insemination (IUI)

In intrauterine insemination (IUI), the man’s semen is retrieved from the laboratory for preparation just before ovulation, and then inserted into the uterus. This allows the sperm to travel to the fallopian tube and ovary to fertilize an egg and form an embryo that will subsequently develop.

This technique is relatively simple and, in most cases, the first-line treatment option. The steps of this procedure are:

• Follicular development
• Egg maturation
• Semen preparation
• Insemination

Once the insemination procedure is complete, all that remains is to wait for the results! 

Success rates for this procedure are typically around 20%, and women under 35 years old have a higher chance of success.

3. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

The fastest-growing method of human reproduction, IVF can also serve as a solution for infertile men and women. The process takes two weeks.

The method involves the union of gametes outside the woman’s uterus. The embryo, created in the laboratory, is implanted in the uterus to allow gestation to occur. 

There are two types involved:

• In the first one, the sperm are positioned around the egg to facilitate fertilization.
• In the second one, an intracytoplasmic sperm injection is performed, in which the sperm are injected with a needle.

After this procedure, the embryos are kept in the laboratory for a few days before being transferred to the uterus. However, ovarian stimulation with medication may be performed before the embryo transfer.

The success rate of this technique is 18% in women under 25 and 7% in women over 40.

Read more: Advocate For Your Health: Gynecology Specialist in Flatbrush, Brooklyn