Common confusion results from the simple fact that IUI and IVF begin with the same letter "I." The processes are similar in that something is inserted in the uterine cavity. However, they differ markedly thereafter.
IUI stands for “intrauterine insemination”. This is the placement of washed sperm through a small straw into the uterine cavity. This very small, soft tube is inserted through the vagina, past the cervix, and placed where the baby is supposed to grow. This procedure is excellent when there are no obvious problems in the woman and when the sperm count is moderately low.
While it is true that only one sperm fertilizes an egg, it actually takes a whole gang of sperm with good movement (motility) to clean layers from around cells off the egg, so that a single sperm can attach to the egg shell and fertilize the egg. Most sperm die in the vagina after intercourse, due to normal vaginal acidity.
IUI is not beneficial if the fallopian tubes are blocked, if the sperm count is extremely low, or if there are significant problems with the sperm motility or quality.
IUI has also been used in conjunction with medicines to augment ovulation. In couples with otherwise unexplained infertility, IUI is very helpful in some cases where some couples are so stressed that they are unable to have intercourse at the proper time of the menstrual cycle. IUI is also useful if the cervix is quite tight or if the cervix is lacking mucus (a slippery substance required to help the sperm swim safely from the vagina up into the uterine cavity).
IVF, In vitro fertilization, is an entirely different process. Unlike IUI which requires natural egg release, this requires retrieving eggs from the ovary by passing a needle through the vagina and into the ovary. These eggs are then paired with sperm in the laboratory, leading to fertilization and hopefully, embryo development. Embryos are then transferred back into the uterine cavity with a small straw, just like in the process of IUI. IVF is an excellent procedure when the patient has problems safely picking up an egg (blocked tubes, pelvic adhesions, or endometriosis), when the sperm counts are low, or when infertility is otherwise unexplained.
By
Dr. Wayne Maxson at 11 Sep 2014
Many couples will present with infertility (more than one year of unprotected intercourse without conception), initially, without any obvious reason. Truly unexplained infertility, when a full work-up has been completed, is actually quite rare and occurs in less than 5% of our patients.
Often, a couple will be told they have "unexplained” infertility after the following three determinations: a semen analysis has shown normal looking sperm, a hysterosalpingogram has shown a normal appearing cavity and open fallopian tubes, and the patient has menstrual cycles that are regular. In more than 70% of these women, a problem inside the pelvis can be detected, which neither ultrasound scan or hysterosalpingogram x-rays can discern. The most common intra-abdominal problems causing infertility are endometriosis and pelvic adhesions (scar tissue). As these are usually invisible to standard diagnostic techniques, they require a surgical procedure (laparoscopy) to find and treat them. Only if the laparoscopy and the other studies are completely normal will the patient be determined to have truly unexplained infertility.
Subtle reasons for infertility include absent or abnormal eggs, failure of egg release at the time of supposed ovulation, failure of the fallopian tube to pick up the eggs, failure of the sperm to fertilize the egg, or failure of a fertilized embryo to implant in the uterus. Unfortunately, these events are all microscopic and elude normal diagnostic techniques.
In cases of truly unexplained infertility,in vitro fertilization (IVF) can bypass egg pick-up and sperm transportation, as well as bypass endometriosis and pelvic adhesions. Even with a diagnosis of truly unexplained infertility there is still a solution that could result in a successful pregnancy.
By
Dr. Wayne Maxson at 5 Sep 2014
A woman is born with a certain number of eggs and that number decreases as her age advances.
While the average age of menopause is over 50, some women do go through menopause early. The frequency is estimated at 1 in 250 women under 35 and 1 in 100 women under 40.
Although in most instances the reason for early menopause is unknown, there are a number of known causes such as:
- Missing or abnormal X chromosome
- Reaction of the body to the ovaries or the ovarian follicles (egg sacs), termed as autoimmune cause
- Chemotherapy or radiotherapy
There also may be specific, minute genetic defects that can lead to early loss of eggs, but these are still being investigated.
It is important to diagnoses the condition of early menopause as soon as possible. Although there is usually no treatment, in some cases eggs can be retrieved and frozen in order to preserve future fertility. In addition, the loss of the ovarian hormone estrogen at an early age can cause poor health later in life, including a potential increase in heart disease and osteoporosis. Estrogen replacement may be very beneficial in younger women who have lost ovarian function.
By
Dr. Wayne Maxson at 29 Aug 2014
Many people are often surprised at the time it takes to conceive once deciding to start a family. Sometimes it can take several months, leading to stress and concern that there may be a problem.
At IVF FLORIDA, we've created a list of common factors that can contribute to infertility. If you answer yes to any of the questions in our latest infographic, a reproductive endocrinologist may be able to help.
There are many potential issues that may contribute to infertility and a reproductive specialist can review your condition and provide options for having a baby. To contact the specialists at IVF FLORIDA, click here.
By
IVF FLORIDA Fertility Staff at 19 Aug 2014
The latest in cutting-edge technology, The EmbryoScope, is now available to couples seeking fertility treatment in Florida at IVF FLORIDA Reproductive Associates.
The EmbryoScope is a sophisticated and noninvasive technique that frequently photographs a single embryo's development from unfertilized egg to the blastocyst stage over a 7 day period of time. Comprised of an incubator, microscope and time-lapse camera embryo development is monitored from the time of conception, allowing fertility specialists to select the most viable embryos during in-vitro fertilization treatment.
This technique allows for continual monitoring of the embryo's development without removing it from a perfectly controlled environment. Traditional embryo monitoring methods required fertility professionals to remove embryos from an incubator once a day to study development through a microscope.
"We are now able to select embryos with unprecedented precision," explains Dr. Wayne Maxson of IVF FLORIDA Reproductive Associates. "This new technology may help patients achieve their family by keeping a close eye on the embryo."
The EmbryoScope takes photos of each embryo every five to 20 minutes for the entire duration of the incubation period, allowing for comprehensive monitoring of embryo development. The data from each embryo's cell division and appearance are further analyzed by image analysis software, which also creates a unique time-lapse video for each embryo and allows embryologist to analyze hundreds of images compared to the current 2 images used to select embryos today. Abnormal embryo development can be detected without harming the embryo, allowing the most viable embryos to be selected during in-vitro fertilization.
"The EmbryoScope provides a technique that is on the leading-edge of fertility technology and we are proud to offer this service to our patients, continuing IVF FLORIDA's mission of providing state-of-the-art procedures in the treatment of infertility," adds Dr. David Hoffman of IVF FLORIDA Reproductive Associates.
"This technology allows us to select embryos that may have a higher success of implanting & enables the laboratory to implement a more successful single embryo transfer program," explains Kathy Miller, Scientific Director at IVF FLORIDA Reproductive Associates. "This technology can also be used with comprehensive chromosomal screening."
The technology can prove particularly beneficial for couples who have done multiple IVF cycles or have experienced recurrent miscarriage. By watching the embryos develop, fertility professionals can also monitor abnormal cell splitting, potentially indicating an embryo with genetic abnormality.
Data gathered from other centers have shown a 30-50% increase in pregnancy rates and lower multiple birth rate.
There are currently an estimated 12 centers offering the EmbryoScope across the country, with IVF FLORIDA Reproductive Associates the first to offer this technology in the state of Florida.
By
IVF FLORIDA Staff at 30 Apr 2014