assisted reproduction

If drug therapies and surgery do not resolve a couple's fertility problems the next step may be more advanced treatments, known as assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

While there are no guarantees with advanced infertility treatment, the success rates are encouraging. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2006 138,198 ART cycles were performed, resulting in 41,343 live births (deliveries of one or more living infants), and 54,656 babies.¹ In vitro fertilization (IVF) with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the most common ART procedure.

Understandably, many couples at this point in the treatment process are drained both physically and emotionally. Facing another round of unfamiliar procedures may seem overwhelming to some. Learning about the procedures and various options available may help to alleviate some of your anxieties.

This section gives you a solid grasp of more advanced infertility treatment such as IVF, egg and sperm donation, surrogacy and embryo donation.