Ovulation induction (OI) is for women who have no ovulation or a very irregular ovulation (egg release). In this treatment, you are given hormones in the form of tablets or injections. These hormones help an egg mature and stimulate ovulation.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is also known as "test tube fertilization" and literally means "fertilization in glass." Fertilization takes place outside the body. Before this happens, you undergo hormone treatment to mature multiple eggs. When the eggs are mature enough, they are extracted from the follicles using a hollow needle, a process called "follicle puncture." The eggs and sperm are then placed together in a glass dish, and hopefully, an egg and sperm will fuse to form an embryo. The embryo is then placed back into the uterus. If the embryo implants, you are pregnant.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is similar to IVF, but the process in the laboratory is slightly different. In an ICSI treatment, only one sperm is used for each egg. The sperm is directly injected into the egg. If fertilization occurs, the embryo is placed into the uterus within a few days, just like in IVF. ICSI is typically used when the sperm quality of your partner is insufficient.
In intrauterine insemination (IUI), sperm is processed and then placed into the uterus during ovulation. An IUI treatment can be done during a natural cycle, but sometimes hormones are administered to stimulate the maturation of the eggs. When the follicles are large enough, ovulation is triggered, and the sperm is inserted into the uterus using a thin tube.
This fertility treatment is suitable when your partner's sperm quality is poor, or if he produces no sperm at all. In this fertility treatment, sperm from a donor is used and inserted into the uterus with a thin tube. This treatment is also an option if you don’t have a partner.
If a woman is infertile but has a functioning uterus, egg donation may be an option. Eggs from a donor are combined with your partner's sperm. These fertilized eggs are then placed into your uterus. This treatment requires an IVF process.
In some cases, sperm does not come out during ejaculation, such as when a blockage caused by an infection is present. However, this doesn’t mean your partner has no working sperm. The sperm may remain in the epididymis or testicles. In a MESA, PESA, or TESE treatment, sperm is extracted from the epididymis. The woman will undergo an IVF treatment alongside this method.
In vitro maturation (IVM) involves the retrieval of immature eggs from the ovaries, which are then matured in the laboratory. This way, the woman does not need to take additional hormones, making it less burdensome and reducing the risk of overstimulation.
Undergoing a fertility treatment can take up a lot of time, time that you would normally spend working. You may wonder how to balance fertility treatments with your job.
Fortunately, employees undergoing fertility treatments are entitled to leave under the Work and Care Act (WAZO) unless otherwise agreed upon. During this WAZO leave, your employer must continue paying your salary, although reimbursement for certain expenses may be discontinued.