When fertility problems are experienced, a number of treatment plans are available depending on the underlying cause or causes of the diminished ability to conceive, length of infertility and the age of the person trying to conceive. To identify those causes, a patient should visit a reputable fertility treatment center for a thorough evaluation.

Infertility is usually defined as the inability to conceive after two or more years of trying. Factors inhibiting conception can be caused by the male or female, a combination of factors from both male and female, or of unknown causes. Fertility treatment centers specialize in finding the cause of fertility problems and developing a plan of treatment to help achieve conception.

Male Fertility Issues
Fertility problems most frequently experienced in men may include general sexual problems or problems with the production of sperm or its ability to reach the egg. A thorough examination by a physician specializing in reproductive health can help identify and treat these problems.

Treatment for male fertility treatments, may include:

• Medication
• Behavioral changes
• Diet and exercise modifications
• Surgical intervention
• Hormones
• Assisted Reproductive Technology

Treatment for women experiencing fertility problems may include:

Fertility Drug Interventions

• Clomid- Clomiphene citrate is the most widely used fertility drug and usually the first level of intervention.
• Femara and Arimidex – most commonly used to induce ovulation in women with ovulation disorders.
• Gonadotropins- hormonal medications

Surgical Interventions
Many conditions can play a role in the ability to conceive such as cervical narrowing, scar tissue, blocked fallopian tubes, fibroids, endometriosis or abnormal shape of the uterus. Fertility treatment centers offer surgical interventions that can be used to correct cervical, pelvic, tubal or uterine problems.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Commonly known as artificial insemination (AI) is a process where sperm is “washed” and injected directly into the uterus. This intervention is sometimes used in cases involving male infertility, when conditions of the woman’s cervical mucus necessitates, or in unidentified fertility problems. Though more affordable than IVF, success rates with this treatment vary at each fertility treatment center and are generally not as high as with IVF.  More info about IUI treatment.

ART is the common broad term for reproductive treatments that include a combination of medications and handling of eggs or embryos.

• IVF (In vitro fertilization)-Eggs are combined with sperm in a laboratory. After fertalization, eggs are placed in the uterus.
• ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection)- Sperm is injected directly into the egg and embryo is placed into the uterus.
• GIFT (Gamete intrafallopian transfer) Eggs and sperm are placed in a lab dish and inserted into the fallopian tubes. Fertilization and implantation happens naturally.
• ZIFT (Zygote intrafallopian transfer) eggs and sperm are placed in lab dish and after fertilization, doctor places the embryo in the uterus.

The process of dealing with infertility is likely to include many trips to the fertility treatment center while specialists identify the problem and once the problem has been found, develop a treatment plan. Fortunately, most problems can be solved with the use of medications or corrective surgery. Some patients require more invasive treatments in assisted reproductive technologies, such as IVF. The treatment approach and philosophy of each fertility treatment center may vary and patients should find one that best meets their needs.

The most successful fertility treatment centers combine compassion and expertise of reproductive endocrinologists in developing a treatment plan. The success rates of fertility treatment centers varies by clinic and state, and a patient has the right to view information regarding the success rates, broken down by treatments, for each fertility treatment center at CDC.GOV. Because many treatments are either not or only partially covered by insurance, a patient should always carefully review the fertility treatment center’s protocol, philosophy and rates of success while choosing.