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Fertility Drugs, IUI, IVF, and Other Fertility Treatments

By , About.com Guide

Considering and beginning fertility treatment can be both exciting and anxiety provoking. On the one hand, you may be feeling hopeful because you are closer to parenthood. At the same time, treatments come with a heavy emotional burden. You may be wondering what to expect from treatments, concerned about side effects, worried about how to pay for the treatments, and curious about alternative options. What can you expect? What are your options? And what are the success rates? Get answers to your many questions here.
  1. Clomid Essentials
  2. Fertility and Other Drug Treatment
  3. IUI and Artificial Insemination
  4. IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technologies
  5. Side Effects and Risks
  1. Coping During Treatments
  2. Alternative and Non-Medical Treatments
  3. Lifestyle Changes
  4. Fertility Treatment Costs

Clomid Essentials

Of all the fertility drugs, Clomid is the most commonly prescribed. There's good reason for that, too. Clomid is successful in achieving ovulation 80% of the time in women with irregular or anovulatory cycles. Before you take Clomid, though, you may have questions. Like will you get pregnant with twins? What are the side effects of Clomid? And what happens if Clomid doesn't work? Get the answers to your questions on Clomid here.

Fertility and Other Drug Treatment

Woman Giving Herself a Subcutaneous Injection

While your doctor is familiar with the drugs she's prescribing you, they're most likely all new to you. What can you expect during drug treatments? What kind of side effects are likely, and what's the success rate of these treatments? What are your chances of getting pregnant with twins -- or more? Find the answers to your questions about drug treatment here.

IUI and Artificial Insemination

IUI, or intrauterine insemination, is typically used in cases of male infertility, or as the next step after Clomid or injectable fertility drugs. "Artificial Insemination" is an older term for IUI, but is still used to refer to some forms of insemination. How is IUI performed? What's the success rate? What are the different kinds of artificial insemination? Learn what you need to know for an IUI treatment cycle here.

IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Contrary to popular belief, IVF is not a treatment of "last resort". Maybe you've tried fertility drugs and IUI already, or maybe IVF will be your first encounter with fertility treatment. In either case, you probably have questions. Find the answers you need here.

Side Effects and Risks

Fertility drugs increase your risk of having twins, triplets, or more.

As with all drugs and medical procedures, fertility treatments come with risks. Before you begin, it's important that you understand what potential side effects can occur. Being informed can help you make smarter choices. In this section, get the facts you need on the side effects and risks that may accompany fertility treatments.

Coping During Treatments

Infertility commonly causes anxiety.

Coping with infertility is hard. Really hard. Research has shown that the psychological stress experienced by women with infertility is similar to that of women coping with illnesses like cancer, HIV, and chronic pain. The two-week wait –- the time between ovulation and your expected period –- is especially a time of high anxiety for many couples in the midst of treatments. Find help on coping during the two week wait, and the rest of your treatment cycle, here.

Alternative and Non-Medical Treatments

Picture of a woman receiving acupuncture treatment.

Treating fertility doesn't have to solely involve drugs, surgeries, or assisted reproductive technologies. Studies have shown that acupuncture, lowering stress, and even changing your diet may improve your chances of conventional treatments working. If you're looking for alternatives to infertility medications, or looking to complement your medical infertility treatments, this is the place to learn more.

Lifestyle Changes

Cup of coffee

You may be able to improve your fertility by making lifestyle changes. Do you exercise a bit too much? This can be hinder your fertility, and cutting back may help. Do you or your partner smoke? Dropping the habit will improve your chances of getting pregnant. Learn more about lifestyle changes you can make that that may improve your fertility, plus increase the chances of fertility treatments working.

Fertility Treatment Costs

Fertility treatment costs can add up quickly.

Paying for fertility treatments can wreck havoc on your budget. How can you afford the treatments you need? Does insurance ever help pay? What are your options? Find the answers to these questions and more, in this section on affording the costs of infertility treatment.

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