How successful is infertility treatment?

Objectives:

To determine the results of IVF-ET in couples with long-standing unexplained infertility who had failed to conceive with four to six cycles of superovulation and IUI.

Design:

Retrospective case control series.

Setting:

University IVF-ET center.

Patients:

One hundred seventeen couples with unexplained infertility who had failed to conceive with superovulation and IUI underwent 157 cycles of IVF-ET. Results were compared with 194 tubal factor couples subjected to 250 IVF-ET cycles within the same time period.

Results:

Total fertilization failure events were more common (20.4% versus 7.6%) and tended to be repetitive in couples with unexplained infertility. When total fertilization failure events were excluded, fertilization rates (57.8% versus 60.9%) and cumulative clinical pregnancy rates over three cycles (55.4% versus 46.5%) were similar in unexplained infertility and tubal disease groups.

Conclusions:

Couples with unexplained infertility failing to conceive with superovulation and IUI have a favorable outcome when treated subsequently with IVF-ET. Conception rates similar to couples with tubal disease may be expected despite a higher incidence of total fertilization failure events.

Please click on the required question.

• Q 11. 1 How successful is infertility treatment?
• Q 11. 2 How can we compare infertility treatments?
• Q 11. 3 How can we compare outcomes between different fertility units?
• Q 11. 4 Are treatments for infertility improving?
• Q 11. 5 Is there an increased chance of miscarriage following infertility treatment?
• Q 11. 6 Is there an increased chance of ectopic pregnancy following infertility treatment?
• Q 11. 7 What is a heterotopic pregnancy?
• Q 11. 8 What problems can occur with multiple pregnancy?
• Q 11. 9 What is selective termination of pregnancy?
• Q 11. 10 How can the pregnancy risks following infertility treatment be reduced?
• Q 11. 11 We have had infertility treatment which has been successful. How will our pregnancy be cared for?
• Q 11. 12 If we have infertility treatment, will our baby be healthy?
• Q 11. 13 What are the psychological effects of infertility? information?
• Q 11. 14 Where can I obtain more information?
• Q 11. 15 Support Groups.
  

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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.

I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.