Choosing your fertility treatment
After your initial fertility evaluation, your options depend on your situation. Here's how choices typically look for common circumstances.
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Once your initial fertility evaluation is complete, the next question is which path to take. The right choice depends on what your workup shows and what you hope to achieve. Here’s how the options typically look in common situations. Dr. Elassar will talk through what fits you.
When no clear cause is found or ovulation is irregular
Unexplained infertility or mild male factor
For women and couples with unexplained infertility (no fertility factor detected) or mild male factor, the usual sequence is timed intercourse, if you haven’t tried it already, followed by ovarian stimulation with IUI for 2 to 3 cycles, and then IVF. IVF with single embryo transfer may be preferred by women who don’t want to risk twins or fetal reduction.
Women who don’t ovulate regularly
Options are ovarian stimulation with oral or injectable medication plus IUI for 2 to 3 cycles, followed by IVF. Again, IVF with single embryo transfer may be preferred by women who don’t want to risk twins or fetal reduction. Learn more about simple fertility treatments.
When the tubes or sperm are affected
Women with blocked fallopian tubes
IVF is usually the most effective way to achieve a pregnancy. For some women, laparoscopic surgery to repair the fallopian tubes can be considered. See reproductive surgery.
Men with moderate to severe male factor
IVF with ICSI offers the highest chance of pregnancy. Learn more about treatment options for male factor infertility.
After unsuccessful treatment, reduced reserve or pregnancy loss
Women with prior unsuccessful fertility treatment
A careful review of prior treatment may point to changes that improve the response to stimulation, such as mild stimulation IVF, genetic testing of embryos (PGT) and other interventions. Read more about prior unsuccessful fertility treatment.
Women with markedly diminished ovarian reserve
Parenthood is possible through donor eggs, with partner or donor sperm.
Women with recurrent pregnancy loss
Treatment may include surgery to correct the uterine cavity, ovarian stimulation and IUI, or IVF with PGT.
Preserving fertility for later
Women who want to extend their fertility
Egg freezing, or embryo freezing with partner or donor sperm. Eggs or embryos can be used years later to conceive. Single women can also extend their fertility with egg freezing, or with embryo freezing using donor sperm. Learn more about egg freezing.
Women at risk of reduced fertility from a disease or its treatment
Options are egg freezing or embryo freezing using partner or donor sperm. See fertility preservation.
Building your family with help
Same-sex female couples
A couple can have a child using donor sperm and IUI.
Same-sex male couples
A couple can have a child using donor eggs and a gestational carrier. Read more about third-party reproduction and LGBTQ+ family building.
Women hoping for a pregnancy of a specific sex
Sex selection for family balancing requires IVF with PGT. Embryos are tested for the X and Y chromosomes to determine their sex. Learn more about sex selection.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Every situation is different, so talk with your doctor about yours.
