If you have been trying to conceive without success, consider seeking support from a fertility clinic to help you in your fertility journey. Fertility clinics provide specialized services to diagnose and treat infertility in couples and individuals. With the help of fertility specialists, you can learn more about infertility and the services that are right for you and your goals. Here are some of the services to look for at your fertility clinic:
1. Male and Female Fertility Testing
The first step to solving a fertility issue is determining the cause. Your chosen fertility clinic should offer comprehensive male and female fertility testing to provide an overview of your reproductive health. Female fertility testing usually involves assessing the body’s hormonal balance, ovarian reserve, uterine structure, and fallopian tube patency. Male fertility testing usually evaluates sperm quality, sperm count, and hormonal balance. If your fertility doctor can identify the cause of your infertility, they can create individualized treatment plans for you and your partner.
2. Ovulation Induction
Ovulation induction is a fertility treatment option for women with irregular or absent ovulation. This process involves using fertility drugs to induce ovulation and promote egg development. Ovulation induction can be a great option for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS. PCOS is a hormonal condition where ovulation is irregular or does not occur at all. After assessing your condition, fertility clinics can prescribe hormone therapy and monitor the ovulation induction process with ultrasound scans and blood tests.
3. Intrauterine Insemination
Intrauterine insemination, IUI, is a fertility treatment that helps couples with mild male factor infertility, cervical factor infertility, semen allergy, or unexplained infertility. This is a standard procedure for women who want or need to use donor sperm to conceive. The process involves placing sperm inside the uterus using a thin catheter before ovulation. IUI increases the chances of conception because the sperm is delivered directly to the uterus, bypassing external obstacles that may otherwise hinder it from reaching the egg.
4. In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization, IVF, is a common treatment for couples with more severe fertility issues like blocked tubes or endometriosis. It involves retrieving eggs from the female partner and fertilizing them with sperm outside the body. The fertilized eggs are then transferred directly into the uterus. Check with your fertility clinic to confirm that they offer complete IVF cycles and provide post-treatment care. This care can include monitoring your pregnancy’s progress with follow-up checkups.
5. LGBTQ+ Family Building Services
Your fertility clinic should have options available to members of the LGBTQ+ community to help build a family. Inclusive clinics provide safe and supportive fertility services for same-sex couples, transgender individuals, and single parents-to-be. Some LGBTQ+ fertility treatment options include sperm or egg donor services, IVF, third-party gestational surrogacy, and more.
6. Genetic Testing
Many fertility clinics offer genetic testing services before providing patients with infertility treatments. This is usually done to rule out any hereditary disorders that may be passed on to the baby. The genetic testing process involves collecting and testing a sample of cells, such as sperm or eggs, for any genetic abnormalities. Genetic testing is recommendedfor all couples trying to conceive, especially those planning to pursue fertility treatments. Your fertility clinic should be knowledgeable about the various genetic tests available, including pre-implantation genetic testing and carrier screening.
7. Fertility Preservation Services
Fertility preservation may be a necessary service for some individuals. If you or your partner is due for deployment, have an upcoming surgery that could affect your fertility, are scheduled for cancer treatment, or want to delay having children for personal reasons, consider fertility preservation. Common fertility preservation services include egg and sperm cryopreservation, ovarian and testicular tissue preservation, and embryo preservation. If preserving your fertility is a priority, choose a clinic that offers multiple preservation service options.
Evaluate Potential Fertility Clinics for High-quality Care
Before settling on a particular fertility clinic, evaluate its services to determine whether they match your fertility goals. Consider a clinic that offers many fertility services to eliminate the need to visit multiple clinics for various treatments. Confirm your clinic’s success rates, experience, accreditation, and technologies to determine their overall quality of care. Your chosen clinic should also have compassionate staff who provide patients with support throughout their fertility journeys.