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  Infertility - What types of treatment are available? Download

INFERTILITY What types of treatment are available? Remember that infertility is not the same thing as sterile. Overall, treatment for infertility is quite promising. About 65% of all couples treated for infertility will eventually have their own babies. General measures Smoking should be avoided in both couples before initiation of treatment. Women who are significantly overweight or underweight have difficulty to get pregnant, therefore they should try their best to keep a normal body weight. Proper diet and exercise are important for optimal reproductive function. Women planning for pregnancy, and are found to have no antibody against rubella should have rubella vaccination. Medical treatment For women with ovulatory problem, ovulation induction can be achieved by using hormones to stimulate maturation and release of egg. However, more than one mature egg would be released resulting in multiple pregnancies.
Surgical treatment For women with tubal damage or endometriosis, surgery can be performed to repair the damage. In cases where surgical correction cannot be performed or have failed, in-vitro fertilization can be attempted. Assisted conception methods Intrauterine insemination of husband's semen (IUI) Semen sample collected from the husband is processed in the laboratory, and a more concentrated sample with selected motile and normal sperms is prepared. Matching with hormonal stimulated ovulation as described above, this semen sample is injected into the wife's womb. This simple procedure needs no anaesthesia but is only suitable for couples with coital problem, borderline male problem and unexplained infertility. In-vitro fertilization (IVF) This is usually refered to as having a 'test tube baby'. It is usually recommended for women with tubal damage or severe endometriosis. Sperms and eggs are retrieved from husband and wife and fertilized in the laboratory. The growing embryo will be put back into the womb. Together with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, it can be used in couples with severe male problem. There is no evidence that 'test tube babies' have higher chance of congenital abnormalities. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) In the laboratory, a single sperm is injected directly into the egg. This procedure can greatly improve fertilization rate in male infertility due to insufficient normal motile sperms. Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) This method is similar to IVF, except that eggs and sperms are injected simultaneously into the fallopian tube in the operating theatre. Fertilization takes place within the body, but not in the laboratory as in IVF.
Where to get help.... The basic infertility evaluation and treatment can be carried out by gynaecologists. However, if there is no identifiable cause for infertility or if the couple do not conceive after medical or surgical treatment within a given time, they may be referred to a specialist in infertility or an Assisted Reproductive Unit of public or private hospitals. They are gynaecologists who have expertise in areas such as microsurgery, ovulation induction and assisted reproductive technologies. Infertility centres in public sector: Prince of Wales Hospital Queen Mary Hospital Kwong Wah Hospital Other options If all treatments have failed or the couples are not suitable for treatment, they should try to make a decision whether or not to accept to be childless, or consider adoption. They are in charge of the situation, and they should be prepared to accept the possible consequences of different options. Coming to terms with childlessness The couple can explore their own personal Interests, common interests with the spouse, expand their social circles and strengthen their relationships with other family members and friends. Adoption If the couple are mentally and physically healthy, ready to make a life-long commitment to adopt a child and to take up parental responsibilities, they may apply for adoption. Further Information can be obtained from the adoption unit of the Social Welfare Department. Telephone number: 2852 3107 Address: 4/F Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Hong Kong.
 
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Last revision date: 01 September 2006