What you should know about fertility treatment cycles

^{Professional Involved: RE | Technology: Low | Cost: Low – Intermediate}

In OI, hormonal medications are commonly used in two ways: 1) to help induce ovulation in a person who does not ovulate regularly; or 2) to stimulate the ovaries to produce more than one follicle per cycle, leading to the release of multiple eggs. Depending on a couple’s needs, the first type of OI may be be combined with timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination (IUI) as an initial infertility treatment.

The second type of OI is also called controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). COS is a step in most IVF treatments.

There are many medications that can be used in ovulation induction. Two of the most known are:

• Estrogen-blocking oral medications usually given to stimulate follicle growth
• Gonadotropins, injectable medications that promote the development and maturation of one or more follicles

Others are available and may be recommended by your doctor depending on your situation and needs. 

Read more about OI treatment cycles.

^{Professionals Involved: RE, Andrologist | Technology: Low | Cost: Intermediate}

In this in-office procedure, high-quality sperm are placed in the cavity of the uterus using a fine catheter passed through the cervix. This positions the sperm closer to the egg, increasing the chance of fertilization.

IUI ensures accurate timing of sperm in the uterine cavity and bypasses any hostile effects of cervical mucus on the sperm.

Read more about IUI treatment cycles.

^{Professionals Involved: RE, Andrologist, Embryologist | Technology: High | Cost: High}

ART refers to procedures that occur outside the human body, involving both eggs and sperm or embryos, with the purpose of conceiving. Following female hormonal stimulation, sperm and eggs are collected, combined, and fertilized in your clinic’s lab, outside of the female body. A potentially viable embryo is then transferred into a woman’s uterus, usually 3-5 days after fertilization. Remaining embryos can be cryopreserved (frozen).

In-vitro fertilization is the most common ART procedure, but other options may be more successful for some people.

Read more about ART procedures.