IVF + the fertility drug

why are some women infertile?

• FSH levels are too low

  • eggs can’t mature

  • no eggs released

what can stimulate ovulation?

• fertility drug

  • contains FSH and LH

what are the disadvantages of the fertility drug?

• doesn’t always work

  • could be expensive

• too many eggs could be stimulated

  • unexpected multiple pregnancies

what is IVF (in vitro fertilisation)?

1. eggs collected from woman’s ovaries

2. fertilised in lab with sperm

3. when they develop into a tiny ball of cells, one or two are transferred into a woman’s uterus

4. FSH and LH given before egg collection

   • stimulate several eggs to mature

what is ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection)?

• technique that can be used in IVF treatment

• sperm injected directly into egg

  • useful if the man has a low sperm count

what are the disadvantages of IVF?

• multiple births can occur

  • riskier then usual!

• low success rate

  • stressful, upsetting

• women may have strong reactions to hormones

  • abdominal pain

  • vomiting

  • dehydration

• unethical arguments

  • unused embryos destroyed

  • genetic testing before implantation = some people think it could lead to selecting preferred characteristics