Fertility drugs are often the first thing and alternative treatment for women who aren't ovulating. They work in the same way as the body's own hormones, triggering the ovaries to release eggs.
This method, known as ovulation induction, can sometimes lead to conception after a few months without further intervention. Possible side effects include premenstrual symptoms such as nausea, headaches and weight gain.
Such drugs are also used as part of other more complicated treatments, such as in vitro fertilisation and intrauterine insemination (see below). Other drugs - to help control the menstrual cycle or thicken the lining of the womb to prepare it for pregnancy, for example - may also be used. These can also cause side effects, such as hot flushes, headaches, nausea and swollen breasts.
There are other methods:
Assisted reproduction treatments
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine insemination, also known as artificial insemination, involves inserting sperm into the womb at the time of ovulation using a catheter (a very fine needle or probe). The woman may need to take fertility drugs to stimulate egg production. The sperm used may be her partner's or donated.
In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
Women Eggs and sperm are collected and fertilised in the laboratory before the resulting embryo is transferred to the womb. The woman takes fertility drugs to stimulate the production of eggs. Once these are mature, they're collected by the doctor, using ultrasound to guide the collecting tube. The man produces a sperm sample, which is prepared before being put with the eggs in a Petri dish and left for a few days to see if fertilisation takes place. If a healthy embryo develops, this is placed in the womb using a catheter (a very fine needle or probe). Usually, no more than one or two are placed. Any remaining embryos suitable for freezing may be stored for future use. The sperm and/or eggs used may be the couple's own or donated.
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