Reproductive Medicine is the branch of Gynecology related to the problems of couples who are having difficulties to conceive.
If a couple cannot achieve pregnancy after one year of unprotected sexual relations we can begin to consider the existence of some type of fertility problem in the couple, although this period may vary depending on the age of the couple.
Sterility can be due to male factors (40%), female factors (40%), or mixed factors (20%). Male factors can be lack of spermatozoids, low spermatozoid count, spermatozoid immobility, or anormality of the spermatozoids. Impotence or premature or retrograde ejaculation can also be causes of sterility. Female factors can include irregular or no ovulation, a blockage in the fallopian tubes, endometriosis or problems in the uterus, such as fibromas. It is also known that 15% of all couples do not show any apparent reason for infertility even after going through all the diagnostic tests.
A couple should visit their doctor if there is no pregnancy after one year of unprotected sexual relations. Women over 35 years old should go even before one year has elapsed.
There are different treatments available, which are of different degrees of complexity. These treatments include ovaric stimulation followed by planned coitus, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization techniques (IVF), and intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Medication is administered either orally or subcutaneouslly, so that ovulation is stimulated. Follicular growth is confirmed by means of ultrasound scanning. When the follicles are ripe, a medication that produces ovulation is prescribed, and sexual activity is planned. This procedure can be repeated up to 3 or 4 times.
During a cycle of artificial insemination medication is administered subcutaneouslly, to stimulate ovulation. Follicular growth is confirmed by means of ultrasound scanning.When the follicles are mature, a medication that produces ovulation 36 hours after its administration is prescribed. Before insemination, the sperm sample handed in by the partner is processed. The most mobile spermatozoids are selected and inserted in the uterine cavity. This procedure can be repeted up to 3 or 4 times.
It is a technique used for assisted reproduction in which the ovules obtained after ovarian stimulation are fertilized with spermatozoids in the laboratory. The embryos obtained are transferred to the patient's uterus.
It is a technique used for assisted reproduction that is carried out in the laboratory, in which the spermatozoid is introduced inside the ovule. The embryos obtained are placed in the patient's uterus.