Modern infertility treatments: Your path to healthy motherhood

If, after twelve months of regular sexual intercourse without using contraception, the long-awaited pregnancy has not yet occurred, this constitutes a serious medical reason to consult a qualified specialist in reproductive medicine. Modern infertility treatments mean that this problem is no longer a death sentence. This field is one of the central and most rapidly developing areas in medicine. Thanks to innovative technologies and in-depth research in the fields of embryology and genetics, a huge number of couples now have a real chance of fulfilling their most cherished dream – the birth of a healthy and strong child.

How widespread is infertility in the modern world?

According to current international statistics, the problem of infertility is global in nature. Around 17.5% of the world’s adult population – that is, practically one in six people on Earth – faces difficulties to some extent when trying to conceive a child.

It is important to understand that this figure is not static: it varies significantly depending on the region of residence, socio-economic conditions and age group. In large cities and major industrial centres, the percentage of couples experiencing fertility difficulties is often higher. This is due to a combination of negative factors: chronic stress, an unfavourable environmental situation, a sedentary lifestyle and postponing parenthood to a later age.

Probability of conception depending on the duration of attempts

The process of conception is a complex biological mechanism, the outcome of which depends on a multitude of variables. Here are the statistical chances of success over different time periods:

• One menstrual cycle: The probability of becoming pregnant within a single cycle averages 11–15%.
• First 6 months: With regular sexual activity, around 60% of women conceive within the first six months.
• First year: By the end of the twelfth month, this figure rises to 84%.
• Second year: Within twenty-four months of trying, 92% of couples conceive.

Special attention to age: For couples where the woman is over 35, specialists recommend shortening the waiting period. If conception does not occur within 6 months, it is necessary to consult a fertility specialist immediately. This is because after the age of 35, fertility begins to decline at a faster rate, and the supply of eggs (ovarian reserve) is depleted. Furthermore, in this age group, the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in embryos increases significantly, necessitating the use of pre-implantation genetic testing (PGD).

Key factors affecting fertility

Infertility is a problem that can affect both partners. Current statistics break down the causes of difficulties as follows:

1. Female factor: Accounts for infertility in 33% of cases.
2. Male factor: Accounts for problems in 20% of cases.
3. Combined factor: When fertility issues are diagnosed in both partners, occurring in 39% of cases.
4. Unidentified cause (idiopathic infertility): Accounts for around 8% of cases, where standard diagnostic methods fail to identify any obvious abnormalities.

Modern diagnostic methods, including in-depth genetic and immunological testing, are increasingly enabling doctors to identify the underlying causes of failure and select the most effective treatment strategy.

Main causes of female infertility

1. Endocrine and hormonal disorders

Hormonal imbalance is one of the most common causes preventing conception. Hormones regulate the entire process: from follicle maturation to implantation of the fertilised egg in the uterus. The main conditions include:

• Anovulation: A condition in which the egg does not mature or is not released from the ovary at the appropriate time.
• PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome): Causes a serious hormonal imbalance and irregular cycles.
• Hyperprolactinaemia: An excess of prolactin blocks ovulation.
• Thyroid disorders: Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have a negative impact on fertility.
• Imbalance of FSH, LH and oestrogens: Disrupts the body’s proper preparation for pregnancy.

2. Blocked fallopian tubes

The fallopian tubes act as a ‘transport corridor’. If they are damaged or blocked (obstruction), it becomes physically impossible for the sperm to meet the egg. The causes often lie in previous inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs or adhesions associated with endometriosis.

3. Decline in ovarian reserve

This is an indicator of the quantity and quality of eggs stored in a woman’s body. The reserve irreversibly declines with age, as well as under the influence of factors such as smoking, ovarian surgery or heredity. In cases of premature ovarian failure (before the age of 40), IVF programmes using donor material are often resorted to.

4. Endometriosis

A condition in which tissue similar to the endometrium grows outside the uterus. This can cause inflammation, the formation of cysts in the ovaries and adhesions in the pelvis. Severe forms often require surgical treatment (laparoscopy) and subsequent use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

5. Uterine fibroids and endometrial polyps

Benign growths within the uterine cavity or on the uterine walls can act as a ‘mechanical barrier’, preventing the embryo from implanting. Timely removal of polyps and treatment of fibroids significantly improve the chances of a successful outcome.

6. Immunological factors

Sometimes the body’s defences begin to work against pregnancy:

• Antisperm antibodies can neutralise sperm.
• Autoimmune processes can attack the embryo during implantation.

7. Advanced maternal age

The physiological decline in egg quality after the age of 35–40 is a natural process which, nevertheless, often requires medical assistance in the form of IVF programmes or egg donation.

Main causes of male infertility

Male health plays an equally important role in successful conception. The main factors include:

• Sperm quality: Reduced concentration (oligospermia), motility (asthenospermia) or structural abnormalities in sperm (teratospermia).
• Hormonal status: Testosterone deficiency.
• Infectious diseases: Consequences of STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhoea).
• Varicocele: Enlargement of the veins in the testicle, leading to overheating and impaired sperm production.
• Genetics: Congenital abnormalities, such as Klinefelter syndrome.
• External factors: Chronic stress, smoking, alcohol consumption, working in high-temperature environments.

Diagnosis and identification of causes

To make an accurate diagnosis, modern clinics use a comprehensive approach:

1. Laboratory tests: Hormone tests, PCR tests for hidden infections.
2. Instrumental diagnostics: Expert-grade ultrasound, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy.
3. Sperm analysis: A basic test of male fertility.
4. Genetics: Karyotype tests and PGT-A (preimplantation genetic testing) in IVF cycles.

The choice of treatment strategy is always individual and based on the examination results of both partners.

Modern range of treatment methods

Modern medicine offers a wide range of solutions:

• Hormone therapy: Aimed at regulating the menstrual cycle and stimulating ovulation.
• Minimally invasive surgery: Removal of adhesions, polyps and fibroids.
• IUI (Intrauterine insemination): Introduction of prepared sperm directly into the uterus.
• IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation): Fertilisation ‘in a test tube’ followed by embryo transfer.
• ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): Injection of a single, high-quality sperm directly into the egg.
• Donor programmes and surrogacy: Extreme but effective measures in the absence of one’s own genetic material or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term.

Particular attention is paid to programmes using donor eggs or double donation (egg + sperm), which demonstrate high success rates in the most complex cases.

Effectiveness and chances of success

The success statistics for assisted reproductive technologies are encouraging:

• IVF: For women under 35, the success rate is 50–54%; after 40, it is around 20–30%.
• ICSI: Achieves success in 60–70% of cases for young couples.
• IVF: The probability of success is up to 20% per cycle.

In programmes using verified donor cells, the chances of success can be significantly higher, as the risks of genetic errors are minimised.

Conclusion: Why is it important not to delay seeing a doctor?

Time is the most valuable resource in reproductive medicine. The sooner a couple seeks help, the wider the choice of available methods and the higher the likelihood of natural or medically assisted conception. Reproductive technologies improve every year, becoming increasingly safe and effective.

The NatuVitro clinic applies world-leading treatment protocols, offering a full range of services: from basic diagnostics to complex IVF and ICSI programmes, the use of donor material, and PGT-A genetic testing. We are here to help you on this journey and find the joy of parenthood.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about infertility

1. When is a diagnosis of ‘infertility’ officially made? A diagnosis is made if pregnancy does not occur within 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse (for women under 35) or within 6 months (for women over 35).

2. Can infertility be treated without IVF? Yes, in many cases the problem is resolved by regulating hormone levels, treating infections or minor surgical intervention. IVF is an effective method, but it is used when other methods have failed or there are specific medical indications (for example, blocked fallopian tubes).

3. Does a man’s lifestyle affect the success of conception? Absolutely. Sperm quality depends directly on diet, the presence of harmful habits (smoking, alcohol) and even factors such as frequent visits to the sauna or wearing underwear that is too tight.

4. What is PGT-A and why is it necessary? PGT-A is pre-implantation genetic testing of the embryo for the presence of extra or missing chromosomes. This allows only healthy embryos to be transferred to the uterus, which reduces the risk of miscarriage and the birth of a child with genetic abnormalities.

5. Is the IVF procedure painful? Modern protocols are designed to be as comfortable as possible. Follicular aspiration is carried out under short-term general anaesthesia, whilst embryo transfer into the uterus is a virtually painless procedure that does not require anaesthesia.