Fertility Treatments

When you're exploring fertility treatments, it can feel like drinking from a fire hose - so many acronyms, procedures, and decisions. This guide breaks down your options clearly, helping you understand what each treatment involves, who it's typically recommended for, and what to expect.

How Fertility Treatments Are Matched to Situations

One of the first things to understand about fertility treatment is that there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. The treatment that's right for you depends on what's causing your fertility challenges, your age, how long you've been trying, and your personal preferences.

Most fertility specialists take a step-wise approach - starting with simpler, less invasive treatments and moving to more intensive options if needed.

The Diagnostic First Step

Before recommending treatment, your doctor will want to understand what you're working with:

For women: Hormone blood tests, ultrasound to assess ovaries and uterus, and often a test to check if fallopian tubes are open (HSG).

For men: Semen analysis to evaluate sperm count, movement, and shape.

For both: Medical history review, including previous pregnancies, surgeries, and health conditions.

Starting Simple: Medications and Timed Intercourse

For many couples, especially those with ovulation issues or unexplained infertility, the first step is simply optimizing the basics.

Ovulation Induction

If you're not ovulating regularly (or at all), medications can help trigger ovulation:

Clomiphene citrate (Clomid/Serophene): The most commonly prescribed fertility medication. About 80% of women who should ovulate on Clomiphene do ovulate, and about 30-40% conceive within the first few treatment cycles.

Letrozole (Femara): Originally developed for breast cancer treatment, letrozole has become increasingly popular for ovulation induction and may be more effective for women with PCOS.

Gonadotropins (FSH injections): If oral medications don't work, injectable FSH directly stimulates the ovaries. These are more powerful and require closer monitoring.

IUI: Intrauterine Insemination

IUI takes things a step further by placing sperm directly into the uterus, bypassing the cervix and giving sperm a head start.

How IUI Works

Sperm preparation: On the day of ovulation, the male partner produces a semen sample. The lab "washes" the sperm - separating the healthiest, most motile sperm.

Insemination: Using a thin, flexible catheter, the doctor places the washed sperm directly into the uterus. The procedure takes just a few minutes.

When IUI Is a Good Fit

Mild male factor infertility
Cervical mucus issues
Unexplained infertility (as a step between timed intercourse and IVF)
Use of donor sperm

IUI success rates typically range from 10-20% per cycle. Most doctors recommend trying 3-6 IUI cycles before moving to IVF.

IVF: In Vitro Fertilization

IVF is the treatment most people think of when they hear "fertility treatment." It's more intensive than other options, but it's also more effective - especially for certain diagnoses.

What IVF Actually Involves

Ovarian stimulation: Injectable medications for about 8-14 days to stimulate multiple eggs.

Trigger shot: When follicles are ready, a trigger shot matures the eggs.

Egg retrieval: A minor surgical procedure under sedation to extract eggs.

Fertilization: Eggs combined with sperm in the laboratory.

Embryo development: Fertilized eggs monitored as they develop over 5-6 days.

Embryo transfer: One embryo transferred into the uterus.

The wait: About 10-14 days before pregnancy test.

For a detailed walkthrough, read our guide: IVF Step by Step: What Actually Happens

When IVF Is Recommended

Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
Severe male factor infertility (with ICSI)
Advanced maternal age
Endometriosis
Failed other treatments
Genetic testing needs

Success Rates

Age	Live Birth Rate per Cycle
Under 35	40-50%
35-37	30-40%
38-40	20-30%
41-42	10-15%
Over 42	Under 5%

About 65% of patients who undergo IVF will have a baby within three cycles.

ICSI: When and Why It's Recommended

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is a specialized technique where a single sperm is injected directly into each egg.

When ICSI Is Used

Severe male factor infertility
Azoospermia (sperm surgically retrieved)
Previous fertilization failure
Frozen eggs
PGT (genetic testing)

ICSI fertilizes about 70-80% of eggs - similar to conventional IVF for mature, healthy eggs.

Egg Freezing: Preserving Your Options

Egg freezing allows women to preserve eggs at their current quality for potential future use.

Who Freezes Their Eggs

Elective freezing: Women who aren't ready for children but want to preserve fertility while eggs are younger.

Medical freezing: Women about to undergo cancer treatment or other procedures that might affect fertility.

What to Know

Age matters: Eggs frozen at younger ages have better outcomes.

Not a guarantee: Not all frozen eggs will survive thawing, fertilize, or result in viable embryos.

Recommended numbers: Most specialists recommend freezing 10-20 mature eggs for a reasonable chance of having a baby later.

As of 2023, single women in the UAE can now freeze their eggs - previously only available to married women.

Genetic Testing (PGT): What It Tells You

Preimplantation Genetic Testing examines embryos for genetic issues before transfer.

PGT-A (Aneuploidy)

Screens embryos for the correct number of chromosomes. Can reduce miscarriage risk and help select viable embryos. Often recommended for women over 35 or those with recurrent miscarriage.

PGT-M (Monogenic Disorders)

Tests for specific inherited genetic conditions when one or both parents are carriers - such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, or Tay-Sachs.

Comparing Your Options

Treatment	Typical Use Cases	Success Rate (per cycle)	Relative Cost
Ovulation induction + timed intercourse	Irregular ovulation, young couples	15-20%	$
IUI	Mild male factor, cervical issues	10-20%	$$
IVF (conventional)	Blocked tubes, moderate male factor, failed IUI	30-50%*	$$$$$
IVF with ICSI	Severe male factor, frozen eggs, PGT	30-50%*	$$$$$
Egg freezing	Fertility preservation	N/A	$$$

*IVF success rates vary significantly by age.

Costs Overview (UAE)

Treatment	Typical Cost (AED)
Ovulation induction cycle	2,000 - 5,000
IUI cycle	3,000 - 8,000
IVF cycle (basic)	20,000 - 50,000
IVF with ICSI	25,000 - 55,000
Egg freezing (retrieval)	15,500 - 40,000
PGT	5,000 - 15,000
Medications (IVF)	12,500 - 18,000

For detailed UAE costs, see our IVF Cost Breakdown.

What to Expect Emotionally

Fertility treatment can be physically demanding, but the emotional aspects are often harder.

Common Emotional Experiences

Anxiety about procedures and outcomes
Stress from scheduling, medications, and finances
Hope mixed with fear of disappointment
Grief if cycles don't succeed

Taking Care of Yourself

Be informed but set limits: Constant Googling can increase anxiety.
Communicate with your partner: You may process things differently, and that's okay.
Consider counseling: Many fertility clinics have counselors who specialize in this.
Connect with others: Support groups help you feel less alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many IVF cycles might I need?

On average, people need 2-3 cycles. About 65% of patients will have a baby within three cycles. Your doctor can give you more personalized estimates based on your age and diagnosis.

Is IVF painful?

Most people describe the injections as uncomfortable but manageable. The egg retrieval is done under sedation, so you won't feel it. Some cramping after retrieval is normal. The embryo transfer is similar to a Pap smear - mild discomfort.

What's the difference between IVF and ICSI?

In conventional IVF, sperm and eggs are placed together and fertilization happens naturally. In ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into each egg. ICSI is used when sperm quality is low or for other specific situations.

Should I freeze my eggs?

It depends on your circumstances. If you're not ready for children but want to preserve the option, and you're in your early-to-mid 30s, egg freezing can be worth considering. Talk to a fertility specialist about your specific situation.

This content is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Treatment recommendations should come from a qualified fertility specialist who understands your specific situation.