Fertivision
Clarity & Confidence on Your Fertility Journey
Fertility Treatment Options: Understanding Your Path Forward
Whether you're just starting to explore fertility or have been navigating this journey for a while, knowing your options can make all the difference.
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This page offers a simple overview of the most common fertility treatments - like IVF, IUI, ovulation induction, and ICSI, to help you make informed choices. We explain what each treatment involves, who it may be right for.
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Our aim is to cut through medical jargon and present trustworthy information in an easy to understand language, because understanding your choices is the first step toward feeling more in control.
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Let’s begin by exploring what each fertility treatment involves.
Ovulation Induction (OI)
What it is: Ovulation induction is often the first step in fertility treatment. It involves using medication to stimulate the ovaries to release eggs.
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When it’s used:
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When ovulation is irregular or not happening at all (e.g., in PCOS).
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For women with unexplained infertility.
How it works:
Doctors prescribe hormone-based tablets or injections (like Clomiphene Citrate or Letrozole). Ultrasound and hormone monitoring track your response. Once the egg is ready, timed intercourse or IUI (see below) may be recommended.
Benefits:
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Non-invasive
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Often combined with other treatments
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Relatively affordable
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
What it is: IUI is a process where specially prepared sperm is placed directly inside the uterus around the time of ovulation to increase chances of fertilization.
When it’s used:
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Mild male infertility (low sperm count or motility)
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Cervical issues
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Unexplained infertility
How it works:
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Ovulation is monitored or induced.
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A sperm sample is “washed” and concentrated in the lab.
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A thin catheter is used to insert sperm into the uterus.
Benefits:
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Less invasive and more affordable than IVF
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Usually painless and quick
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Can be done in a natural or medicated cycle
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
What it is: IVF is a more advanced procedure where eggs are collected from the ovaries, fertilized with sperm in a lab, and the resulting embryo is then placed back in the uterus.
When it’s used:
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Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
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Male infertility
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Endometriosis
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When other treatments like IUI haven't worked
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Older age or low ovarian reserve
How it works:
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Ovaries are stimulated with hormones to produce multiple eggs.
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Eggs are collected under anesthesia.
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Eggs and sperm are combined in a lab to form embryos.
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One (or sometimes two) embryos are transferred into the uterus.
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Extra embryos may be frozen for later use.
Benefits:
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Higher success rates compared to IUI
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Allows for embryo testing (PGT)
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Frozen embryo transfer gives more chances
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
What it is: ICSI is a specialized form of IVF where a single healthy sperm is injected directly into an egg to achieve fertilization.
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When it’s used:
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Very low sperm count or poor motility
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Previous IVF cycles with poor fertilization
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Using previously frozen sperm or eggs
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Sperm retrieved surgically (like in azoospermia)
How it works:
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Follows the same initial steps as IVF (egg collection, fertilization).
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A single sperm is selected under a microscope and injected into the egg.
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After fertilization, embryos are monitored and transferred into the uterus.
Benefits:
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Increases chances of fertilization in severe male infertility
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Helps overcome natural fertilization barriers
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Can work with minimal sperm availability