Infertility is a sensitive and challenging topic for many couples who dream of starting a family. Among the common causes of infertility in women is ovulation disorders. They can prevent a woman from releasing eggs regularly or none at all. When she cannot ovulate properly, conceiving naturally becomes difficult.
However, you can find solutions to this problem, including in vitro fertilisation. You can visit the doctor at the best fertility centre in Hyderabad to understand the cause and get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Meaning and importance of ovulation
Ovulation is a vital part of the reproductive process. It involves the release of an egg (or ovum) from the ovary. For females who have a 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation takes place around the 14th day. This process is essential for pregnancy because the egg must meet sperm for fertilisation. Without ovulation, natural conception is not possible.
Several hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH), regulate this process. These hormones work together to develop and release an egg every month. The body might not produce enough hormones in some women. Other disruptions may also prevent regular ovulation. This condition is an ovulation disorder, which may result in infertility.
While undergoing infertility treatment at the best IVF centre, it is wise to download the ovulation calendar, which tracks your period and shows your fertility window, ovulation cycle, menstrual cycle, and pregnancy.
How does IVF help?
In women with ovulation disorders, the main issue is that eggs are not released from the ovaries as they should be. Without the release of a mature egg, sperm cannot fertilise it, making pregnancy impossible. Even if a woman gets regular periods, if ovulation does not occur, conception is not possible naturally.
For women struggling with ovulation disorders leading to infertility, IVF treatment can be effective. IVF is an assisted reproductive technology or ART which involves fertilising the egg outside the human body and before implanting the embryo into the uterus. It bypasses the requirement for women to ovulate naturally. The collected eggs are fertilised in a controlled environment. Here is how IVF works for them:
- Ovarian stimulation
The initial step of the IVF process involves stimulating the woman’s ovaries to produce numerous eggs. Women with ovulation disorders may not produce eggs regularly. Fertility medications, such as hormone injections, are given to encourage the ovaries to release more eggs. This guarantees that several eggs are available for collection, increasing the chances of a successful fertilisation.
- Egg retrieval
Once the eggs mature, they are retrieved from the ovaries using a small needle. You are given mild sedation during this procedure, so you feel little to no discomfort. The collected eggs are stored in a lab until fertilisation.
- Fertilisation
In a laboratory, the eggs are combined with partner sperm. The sperm fertilises the eggs, and the resulting embryos begin to develop.
- Embryo transfer
A few days later, one or multiple healthy embryos are selected for being transferred into the woman’s uterus. This is a quick and straightforward procedure that does not require anaesthesia. The embryo is placed inside it using a thin catheter, and the hope is that it will implant itself and develop into a pregnancy.
- Pregnancy test
Approximately 14 days from the embryo transfer procedure, the doctor performs a pregnancy test to check whether the process was successful. If the test is positive, the woman will continue to be monitored closely to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Benefits of IVF for ovulation disorders
IVF offers several benefits for individuals who are suffering from ovulation disorders and infertility. It bypasses the natural ovulation since eggs are collected directly from the ovaries. Fertility specialists can carefully adjust your hormone levels to ensure the best outcome, thanks to controlled hormone stimulation.
IVF has proven to be effective for many women with ovulation disorders, especially when fertility medications or lifestyle changes have failed. Therefore, its success rates are higher. If multiple embryos are created during the IVF process, they can be frozen for future use, providing additional opportunities for pregnancy without repeating the entire procedure.
Conclusion
Women facing infertility due to ovulation disorders can rely on IVF, as it is a viable and practical option to achieve their dream of parenthood. If your relative, friend, or you is struggling with infertility, it is best to take advice from a fertility specialist and explore whether IVF is suitable.