What infertility treatments other than in vitro fertilization are available?
The majority of couples can conceive with simpler, less expensive treatments than in vitro fertilization. Common treatments include:
- Oral medications to restore regular menstrual cycles such as clomiphene, letrizole or metformin.
- Injectable fertility drugs to stimulate several eggs to ovulate, which include Repronex, Gonal F, Follistim, Bravelle and Menopure
- Intrauterine insemination, a process in which the husband’s sperm is “washed” and inserted into the uterus. Intrauterine insemination is often used in combination with clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins injections.
- Donor insemination, a process in which sperm from an anonymous donor is used to inseminate a woman. This can be done for single women or married couples in whom the husband has severely compromised sperm (although most of these couples choose in vitro fertilization).
- Medical and surgical treatment for the man
- Reproductive surgery