What is assisted reproduction?
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) for the treatment of infertility are characterized by the application of a series of controlled manipulation procedures of gametes (eggs and sperm) and/or embryos in highly specialized laboratories, necessary to carry out intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Other techniques such as frozen or vitrified embryo preservation (embryo cryopreservation) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis have emerged as a consequence of the development of IVF.
The existence of infertility will not always require ART to be the first option to be considered, as there are occasions in which the cause is a mild disorder that can be solved with more conventional treatments or with behaviors based on promoting health and reproductive habits. If these alternatives do not achieve the expected result, it is then that the useful alternative of resorting to ART arises.
In theory, ART can solve almost all reproductive problems, except severe pathology or the absence of a uterus (or womb), by means of specific gamete or embryo donation techniques. However, this does not mean that all women can be treated with assisted reproductive techniques, or that all women who are treated will achieve pregnancy. Depending on age, it is possible that, in general, 30-40% of the time after the first treatment cycle and 50-60% of the time after 3 cycles will be successful, since it must be taken into account that pregnancies obtained through assisted reproductive techniques are more fragile than natural pregnancies, and this may result in more ectopic pregnancies or more miscarriages.
Importance of health status in ART application
The application of assisted reproductive techniques involves a series of medical and surgical treatments that are sometimes lengthy and carry a potential risk.
It is important, therefore, that the health of the woman seeking ART treatment is the best possible and with the least risk, which does not mean that women suffering from chronic diseases (such as diabetes, for example), cannot access these techniques, but these should be controlled as well as possible.
When a woman, either alone or in a couple, and her partner seek the alternative of assisted reproduction, it is essential that they take advantage of this moment to improve their lifestyle habits in order to provide the best possible environment for the desired child. It is time to give up tobacco, alcohol and all kinds of toxins; it is time to exercise, eat healthy and take vitamin supplements.
At Ferticlinic we are with you from the first moment…
