Treatment

Laboratory Procedures

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

Embryo Freezing & Frozen Embryo Transfer

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

Sperm Freezing

Ovulation Induction (OI)

Egg (oocyte) Freezing

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Blastocyst Culture & Transfer

Donor Insemination (IUID)

Assisted Hatching

Egg Donation

Egg Sharing

Surgical Sperm Retrieval (SSR)

Sperm Donation

Advice

Investigations

Recurrent Implantation Failure

Semen analysis

Fertility Counselling

Biochemical investigations

Risks of Fertility Treatment

Tubal Patency Test (HYCOSY)

Fertility and Health

Vaginal microbiology and smear tests

Mock Embryo Transfer

If a patient is experiencing irregular or absent periods, or problems with ovulation, this procedure is normally recommended. The aim of this treatment is to encourage egg production (few) with the use of *mild stimulation of the ovary. This involves ultrasound monitoring of the ovarian follicles.

This procedure is normally used when the cause of the infertility cannot be explained or when there are difficulties with sexual intercourse. It involves gently injecting a specially prepared semen sample into the womb at the time of ovulation. We may use mild ovarian stimulation drugs (*see above).

Information under review

In this treatment, sperm and eggs are mixed outside the body in order to achieve fertilisation. Stimulatory drugs are given to make the woman produce a larger number of eggs. Egg development is monitored by ultrasound and the eggs are aspirated from the ovaries (egg collection) using ultrasound guidance and fertilization occurs in the laboratory. The resulting embryos (fertilised eggs) are then cultured in the laboratory and the embryo(s) are placed in the woman's womb (embryo transfer).

This procedure is recommended for men who have an untreatable condition resulting in an absence of sperm (azoospermia), or a genetic disorder they do not want to pass onto their children. Donor sperm is also used for lesbian couples and single women wishing to conceive.

This treatment is used for couples where the semen quality is so poor that fertilisation is unlikely to occur with normal IVF. It is also the treatment required for men whose sperm is collected by surgical sperm retrieval. After ovarian stimulation as for IVF and egg collection, a single sperm is directly injected into each mature egg.  The resulting embryos are transferred as in an IVF cycle.

This treatment is used in woman with premature ovarian failure, poor egg quality or persistent failure with IVF treatment. It may also be used where the mother has an inherited condition she does not want to pass on to her children. Donated eggs can be used for both IVF and ICSI treatments.

This option is offered to couples for whom IVF/ICSI is recommended but who may have difficulty in financing treatment. This offers such a couple the opportunity to have treatment and also the possibility of helping another infertile couple by donating eggs.

This technique is used for men with no sperm in their semen, most commonly as a result of blockage or absence of the tube (vas deferens) that carries sperm from the testes, or after failed reversal of vasectomy.

This procedure is sometimes recommended after several unsuccessful embryo transfers where there is no obvious reason for treatment failure. In some cases, no pregnancy occurs because the embryo is unable to break through the outer layer (zona) at the right time, maybe because it is too thick or too rigid. In the technique of assisted hatching, a tiny hole is made in the zona of each selected embryo just before the embryos are transferred into the womb.

In blastocyst culture medium embryos are allowed to develop in the laboratory for 5 days after the egg collection; this permits the selection of the most robust embryo(s). Embryo(s) transferred at this stage of maturity have the added advantage of being transferred when the womb is most receptive to receive them.

Embryo freezing (cryopreservation) provides an opportunity for future treatment using the excess embryos generated during a fresh IVF or ICSI attempt. A frozen embryo treatment cycle is simpler, and involves transferring thawed embryo(s) at an appropriate time.

Sperm is frozen and used in treatment for a variety of reasons. For example, men who have sperm retrieved surgically, those undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy or a back

At Isis Fertility Centre, patient safety is our main concern, but as with any medical treatment complications can occur; e.g. ovarian hyperstimulation, post-surgical complications, poor response, multiple births.

Fertility treatment can place enormous emotional, physical and financial strains on a couple. Our clinical and nursing staff have received training in counselling and are happy to discuss your concerns at any stage of your treatment. In addition we encourage you to see our specialist fertility counsellor for an independent discussion.

We offer this service because we understand that, for some, it can be helpful to discuss certain issues with a third party who is not actively involved in their treatment.

Isis Fertility Centre is able to offer the opportunity to investigate the field of  implantation, which is the process leading the embryo(s) to attach to the womb. Some couples may have experienced implantation failure (failed IVF) or miscarriages with apparently no reasons. However, in a small percentage of these cases a cause can be detected through a series of blood tests.

This procedure is usually straightforward and painless; however for some women an embryo transfer may prove difficult possibly due to unforeseen anatomical variations. If this is the case the embryo(s) may not be released in the right place leading to a failed cycle. It is recommended to perform a mock embryo transfer to identify any potential problem(s) before the actual treatment takes place.