Infertility

Question 1

For couples who have been trying to conceive for more than three years without success, what is the likelihood of pregnancy occurring within the next year?

Answer 1

25% or less

Question 2

What are the 2 types of infertility?

Answer 2

1. Primary infertility

2. Secondary infertility

Question 3

What is 1ary infertility?

Answer 3

Where someone who has never conceived a child in the past has difficulty conceiving

Question 4

What is 2ary infertility?

Answer 4

Where a person has had one or morepregnancies in the past, but is having difficulty conceiving again

Question 5

What are female causes of infertility?

Answer 5

1. Ovulation disorders
2. Uterus and fallopian tubes
3. Age

Question 6

What are uterus and fallopian tubes?

Answer 6

If the womb or the fallopian tubes are damaged

Eg. Scarring from surgery, Endometriosis, Fibroids, Infections esp STIs.

Question 7

When does the biggest decrease in fertility begin?

Answer 7

During the mid-thirties

Question 8

What are the male causes of infertility?

Answer 8

1. Semen (decreased number, mobility, abnormal morphology)
2. Ejaculation disorders
3. Alcohol

Question 9

Who would be referred for treatment?

Answer 9

A couple:

• Of reproductive age.
• Not conceived after 1 year of unprotected vaginal sexual intercourse.
• In the absence of any known cause of infertility.

Question 10

What do infertility investigations include?

Answer 10

Semen analysis.

Assessment of ovulation.

Tubal damage and uterine abnormalities.

Screening for infections such as Chlamydia.

Question 11

What is female treatment for infertility?

Answer 11

Medical treatment to restore fertility (use of drugs for ovulation induction)

Surgical treatment to restore fertility (laparoscopy for ablation of endometriosis / unblock tubes)

Assisted reproduction techniques (ART) (IVF/ICSI)

Question 12

What is treatment for male infertility?

Answer 12

Medical (erectile / ejaculatory dysfunction)

Surgical (surgical correction of tube blockage, sperm retrieval)

IVF / ICSI

Question 13

What is pre-treatment for IVF?

Answer 13

Weight loss/gain, lifestyle factors, treatments

Question 14

Describe IVF

Answer 14

1. Down regulation of women’s hormones
2. Ovarian stimulation
3. Egg and sperm retrieval
4. Embryo transfer
5. Early pregnancy support

Question 15

Overview of IVF?

Answer 15

• Daily injections of microdose of agonist
• Daily injection of ovarian stimulation drugs

Egg and sperm harvest

Egg transfer