Fertility Drugs, IUI, IVF, and Other Fertility Treatments
By Rachel Gurevich, About.com Guide to Fertility
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.
- Basics on Reproduction
- Fertility Drugs and Other Drug Treatments
- All You Wanted to Know About Clomid
- IUI, IVF, and Other Assisted Reproductive Technologies
- Side Effects and Risks of Fertility Treatments
- Two Week Wait and Coping During Treatments
- Alternative and Non-Medical Treatments
- Fertility Treatment Costs
Basics on Reproduction
Knowing how pregnancy happens can help you make the most of your treatments. If you're taking fertility drugs, for example, you'll probably be asked by your doctor to track ovulation. Also, knowing that pregnancy happens naturally can help you understand how various treatments help. Learn what you need to know about the basics of getting pregnant here.
- Timing Sex for Pregnancy
- How to Detect Ovulation
- How the Female Reproductive System Really Works
- Why Can't I Get Pregnant if I'm Healthy?
- Step-by-Step Guide to Charting Your Body Basal Temperature
- How to Track Your Cervical Mucus
- How Often Should You Have Sex?
- Getting Pregnant With Irregular Periods
Fertility Drugs and Other Drug Treatments
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.
- Overview of Infertility Treatments
- Commonly Prescribed Fertility Drugs
- Fertility Drugs Risks
- Clomid 101
- Frequently Asked Questions on Clomid
- What are Gonadotropins?
- What are GnRH Agonists?
- How Does Heparin Help Treat Recurrent Miscarriages?
- How to Give an Intramuscular Injection
- How to Give a Subcutaneous Injection
All You Wanted to Know About Clomid
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.
- Basic Information on Clomid
- Frequently Asked Questions on Clomid
- Side Effects of Clomid
- What is the Success Rate for Clomid?
- Will You Get Pregnant with Clomid Twins?
- When Should You Have Sex While Taking Clomid?
- What Happens if Clomid Doesn’t Work?
IUI, IVF, and Other Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Maybe you've tried fertility drugs alone, and now it's time to move onto more complicated fertility treatments. Or maybe IUI or IVF will be your first encounter with fertility treatment. Whatever your situation, learn more about IUI, IVF, and assisted reproductive technologies here.
- Understanding IVF Step By Step
- Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Options for IVF
- How Much Does IVF Cost?
- What is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?
- How Does Egg Freezing and Vitrification Work?
- What to Expect During Early Pregnancy After IVF
Side Effects and Risks of Fertility Treatments
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.
- General Overview of Fertility Drug Risks
- Side Effects of Clomid
- What are the Chances of Having Twins With Clomid?
- Do Fertility Drugs Cause Cancer?
- Symptoms and Treatment of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
- Should You Purposely Get Pregnant With Twins?
Two Week Wait and Coping During Treatments
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.
- Two Week Wait Survival Tips
- Before You Take a Pregnancy Test
- Reasons to See a Fertility Counselor
- Coping with the Sadness of Infertility
- Checklist: Could You Be Depressed?
- Should You Tell Other People About Your Infertility?
- About.com’s Fertility Support Forums
Alternative and Non-Medical Treatments
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.
- The Research on Infertility and Acupuncture
- What to Expect During Acupuncture Fertility Treatments
- Find a Fertility Acupuncturist
- Book Review: “Fully Fertile: A Holistic 12-Week Plan for Optimal Fertility"
- Review: "Help with Fertility" Guided Imagery Program
Fertility Treatment Costs
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.
