Infertility is a sensitive and challenging topic for many couples who dream of starting a family. A common cause of infertility in women is ovulation disorders, which prevents a woman from releasing eggs regularly or at all. When a woman cannot ovulate properly, natural conception becomes difficult.
However, there are solutions to this problem, including In-Vitro Fertilisation. You can visit the doctor at the best fertility centre in Hyderabad to understand the cause and get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Meaning and importance of ovulation
Ovulation is an important part of the reproductive process. It involves the release of an egg (or ovum) from the ovary. For women with a 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation typically occurs around the 14th day. This process is essential for pregnancy because the egg must meet sperm for fertilisation. Without ovulation, conception cannot occur naturally.
Several hormones regulate this process, including follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone. These hormones work together to develop and release an egg every month. However, the body may not produce enough hormones for some women, and other disruptions may prevent regular ovulation. This is known as an ovulation disorder, which results in infertility.
How can IVF help with ovulation disorders?
In women with ovulation disorders, the main issue is that eggs are not released from the ovaries as they should be. Without the release of a mature egg, sperm cannot fertilise it, making pregnancy impossible. Even if a woman has a regular menstrual cycle, if ovulation does not occur, conception cannot happen naturally.
For individuals struggling with infertility due to ovulation disorders, IVF for pregnancy can be an effective treatment option. IVF is an assisted reproductive technology which involves fertilising an egg outside the human body and then implanting the embryo into the uterus. This method bypasses the need for the woman to ovulate naturally, as eggs are collected and fertilised in a controlled environment. Here is how IVF works for them:
- Ovarian stimulation
The first step is stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Since women with ovulation disorders may not produce eggs regularly or at all, they are given fertility medications (often hormone injections) to encourage the ovaries to release more eggs. This guarantees that several eggs are available for collection, increasing the chances of a successful fertilisation.
- Egg retrieval
Once the eggs attain maturity, they are retrieved from the ovaries using a small needle. This procedure is performed under mild sedation, so the patient feels little to no discomfort. The collected eggs are then stored in a lab until they are fertilised.
- Fertilisation
In a laboratory, the eggs are combined with the partner. The sperm fertilises the eggs, and the resulting embryos start developing. In some cases, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI treatment) is used, where a single sperm is injected into the egg to improve fertilisation chances, especially if there are sperm-related issues as well.
- Embryo transfer
A few days later, one or more healthy embryos are selected for being transferred into the woman’s uterus. This is a quick and straightforward procedure that does not require anaesthesia. The embryo is placed inside the uterus using a thin catheter, and the hope is that it will implant itself and develop into a pregnancy.
- Pregnancy tests
About 14 days after the embryo transfer procedure, the doctor performs a pregnancy test to check whether the process at the IVF centre in Hyderabad was successful. If the test is positive, the woman will continue to be monitored closely to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Benefits of IVF for ovulation disorders
IVF offers several benefits for individuals dealing with infertility due to ovulation disorders. It bypasses the natural ovulation since eggs are collected directly from the ovaries. Fertility specialists can carefully monitor and adjust hormone levels to ensure the best possible outcome, thanks to controlled hormone stimulation.
IVF has been effective for many women with ovulation disorders, notably when other treatments, such as fertility medications or lifestyle changes, have failed. Therefore, its success rates are higher. If multiple embryos are created during the IVF process, they can be frozen for future use, providing additional opportunities for pregnancy without repeating the entire procedure.
Conclusion
For individuals facing infertility due to ovulation disorders, IVF is a viable and practical option to achieve their dream of parenthood. If you or someone you know is struggling with infertility, consult a fertility specialist to explore whether IVF might be the right choice.