Everything You Need To Know About In Vitro Fertilization

Weight Issues

Being overweight or underweight can contribute to a decrease in IVF success. Both under and overweight women have an increased risk of miscarriage, as well as having irregular or absent periods. Being obese can cause the body to overproduce estrogen making it more difficult to become pregnant. Maintaining a healthy weight can help with issues such as high blood pressure, which could impede the flow of blood to the uterus and testes. Statistically, women who are overweight have less success with IVF than women of normal weight. This applies to women who are underweight as well, whose estrogen levels are often too low for successful pregnancies. Maintaining a healthy weight, whether it is to lose or gain a few pounds can greatly

Fertility Treatment Options

Before deciding on whether IVF is the best option for you, it is important to get yourself and your partner assessed. It may be a matter of making simple lifestyle changes, or if a medical exam determines more serious issues such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, then it would be important to address treatment right away. There is also the option of trying fertility drugs before undergoing the full IVF process. Fertility medications such as clomiphene and gonadotropin can stimulate egg production and can be prescribed to women who might be having irregular periods.

Laparoscopy and laparotomy surgeries can be performed to remove scar tissue or other abnormalities if they may be impeding the ability to get pregnant. If the above options have been exhausted, then doctors may recommend IVF. If there are health issues for the female or male partner, then a donor egg, sperm donor or surrogate pregnancy can be an option. Just ensure that whatever choices are being considered, they are all done under the care of an experienced team of fertility specialists and doctors.