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Treatment Options 101 (Part 3 of 3),

© Shayla Swart

When I began this process I was completely ignorant of what my options were. I had faith in my Ob/Gyn and just said okay to whatever she wanted me to do. I learned over the next 21 months of treatment that knowledge is power. Finally after letting everyone else run my treatment and spend our money for us, my husband and I said, "Enough!".

So here is Treatment Options 101 for those who are just beginning this journey. Please note that this is my definition and my knowledge, I am not a Doctor and any and all information should be taken to your physician. Your physician then can make the decisions that are best for your personal case.

This will be done in a set of three articles the first dealing with what kind of drugs are available. The second what kind of testing and the third what kind of options and monitoring are most commonly used. I hope that you find this information helpful.

Treatment Avenues

Timed Intercourse- This is most often the beginning route for many couples, as long as there appears to be no male factor infertility. Fertility drugs are given HCG may or may not be given depending upon doctors preference. If HCG is given the couple will be instructed to have intercourse the morning of the shot the morning after the shot and then the next day. If HCG is not given, an OPK (ovulation predictor kit, which can be bought at a drug store for around $20) will be used to detect the LH surge. When a surge is detected the couple should have intercourse every 24-36 hours until ovulation is seen through either a temperature rise or ultrasound.

IUI- Intrauterine Insemination is the technical term, it's also often called Artificial Insemination (AI). There are two ways to do an IUI cycle, with ultrasound monitoring and HCG or with OPK's and temperatures. Most RE's will not do an IUI cycle without u/s and HCG if any type of fertility drug is used. U/s are performed until a follicle or follicles are seen to be mature. The HCG shot is then given, consequently usually at night, and an IUI is performed anywhere from 24-48 hours later. This is truly where the idea that reproductive medicine is an art comes in. You can survey 10 different RE's and each will have their own study or belief to follow. You'll find that some swear by one IUI 24 hours after HCG while