Fertility treatment and examinations
What examinations to expect during the first visit? Read more about methods of infertility treatment
I am a woman
Complex gynaecological examination including gynaecological sonography focused on current follicle (egg) supply with regard to the patient’s age, the current state of the uterus and the overall conditions needed for successful pregnancy.
Laboratory examination which helps specify the current egg supply and the overall condition of the body with regard to the expected baby and pregnancy.
I am a man
Spermiogram – this test determines the current quality of the ejaculate and therefore ascertains whether your chances of a successful conception are optimal or lower.
IUI – Intrauterine Insemination
This method is one of the oldest and it involves a sonographical folliculometry check (measurement of the size of the follicle/s) and then planning the treatment – the insemination itself. Before the treatment you give yourself an injection which in turn ensures the correct timing of the maturing of the egg and its releasing from the follicle (ovulation). The egg then goes through the Fallopian tube, where it meets the sperm which are applied after laboratory processing into the uterus. This makes sure that the sperm’s way to the egg is shorter.
The planning of this method cannot be performed unless follicle growth (ovulation cycle) and a standard spermiogram are confirmed.
IVF/ICSI with the couple’s own eggs and sperm
When using this method the woman gives herself regular hormone injections which should ensure maturing of a larger number of eggs in one menstrual cycle. The woman attends sonography examinations which check the follicle growth and after the last sonography examination the egg collection is planned, usually in general anaesthesia (for your own comfort and safety).
You complete the whole procedure within one menstrual cycle – you give yourself the injections for about 8-12 days, the embryo transfer is planned for a date 3-5 days after the collection of your eggs.
Fertilisation of the eggs is done by the IVF or ICSI method. When using IVF both the sperm and the eggs are left on the dish and then they are left to the miracle of their merging until the next day. The ICSI method involves a cleaned, checked, mature egg, which is fertilised under the microscope with one selected quality sperm. This sperm is introduced directly into the egg using micromanipulation. This method has proven to be more successful in comparison to IVF.
IVF/ICSI with donated eggs and the couple’s own sperm
If the woman’s number or quality of sperm is significantly lower, it is necessary to obtain an egg from a donor, namely a healthy young woman of optimum fertility. The whole procedure consists of harmonizing your menstrual cycle with that of the donor. The donor stimulates and after a certain time her eggs are collected. In the meantime you are preparing yourself for the introduction of the embryos created from the donor’s eggs and your partner’s or husband’s sperm.
The fertilisation is performed using ICSI. The donor’s eggs are used.
IVF/ICSI with donated eggs and sperm
In case neither of the two partners in the couple has optimum quality oocytes and spermatocytes it is necessary to obtain eggs from one donor and sperm from another. The female donor stimulates and after a certain time her eggs are collected. In the meantime you are preparing yourself for the introduction of the embryos created from the female donor’s eggs and the male donor’s sperm. The male donor is a healthy young man with an excellent quality spermiogram. The eggs are always fresh and the sperm is most cases frozen.
The fertilisation is performed using ICSI. The female donor’s eggs and male donor’s sperm are used.
Donated frozen embryos
In case neither of the partners in the couple has optimum quality oocytes and spermatocytes it is possible to plan the introduction of embryos onto your endometrium after it has been prepared for it. The advantage of this procedure is its simpler preparation and zero waiting time.