Statistics reveal that around 20% of all couples have trouble conceiving. However, such couples need not despair as advancements in medical science have brought about a plethora of infertility treatments . Infertility treatments are of three kinds: Fertility medications, surgical treatments and assisted conception.

Fertility Drugs and Surgical Infertility Treatment

Ovulatory disorders are the most common cause of infertility in women. Around 80% of such disorders can be treated with fertility drugs. Some commonly used drugs are Clomid (clomiphene citrate), Femara (letrozole), Arimidex (Anastrozole) and Gonadotrophins.

Female infertility that is caused by problems with the fallopian tube, lining of the pelvis and abdomen can be treated with laparoscopic surgery.

IVF Treatment and Infertility Treatment

Intrauterine inseminations, in vitro fertilization, intrafallopian transfer are some of the assisted conception techniques used. Of these in vitro fertilization or IVF treatments are the most common. IVF treatment is pursued when all other treatments have failed.

A typical IVF procedure starts with the use of fertility drugs. These drugs stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. The eggs are then retrieved and placed with the sperm in a specially prepared combination of nutrients for fertilization to take place. Once fertilization takes place, two to five embryos are placed in the woman's uterus. The success rate of IVF for women under age 35 is quite good. Women over age 40 and those with low quality eggs, are advised to use donor eggs to increase the chances of implantation.

It is heartbreaking to have an IVF cycle fail but IVF treatments usually take more than one try to be successful.