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 Melbourne IVF
As with all couples attempting to achieve a pregnancy, you should focus on your own general health and lifestyle. It makes sense to be aiming for a healthy approach to life, but often advice in this area can be confusing and is not always supported by hard evidence. It is worth discussing any health concerns and medications you or your partner are taking with your doctor. Some medications have an effect on the production of sperm for the man, and for the woman there may need to be a change of medication before or during pregnancy.
After the infertility evaluation your consultant will have come to an understanding of the factors that may be preventing you from achieving pregnancy. Your treatment options will depend on the diagnosis made and the chances you have of conceiving with the different options available. Your consultant may suggest trying other methods for several months before turning to IVF. If the chances of pregnancy are very low or non-existent using these methods, then Assisted Reproductive Technology may be the best option. With older women IVF may be suggested as the optimal treatment, as their chance of success with other alternatives needs to be balanced with the impact of age on their fertility.
Sperm are produced by repeated division of cells in the small coiled tubules within the testis at an average of about 100 million a day in healthy young men. While in the tubules sperm are nourished by the Sertoli cells. Between the tubules are the Leydig cells, which produce testosterone. Leading from each testis is a long highly coiled tube called the epididymis. As sperm pass through this they mature, becoming able to swim and penetrate the egg cell. They are then transported through the tail of the epididymis via the vas deferens to the urethra and out of the penis as ejaculate.
The structure of the spermatozoon comprises a head containing the genetic material to be used during fertilisation and a tail that is used for propulsion. While passing along the fallopian tube in the woman the sperm undergoes capacitation. This process involves the removal of a coating of protein that covers the head of the sperm, enabling the sperm to penetrate the egg. Sperm require motility to move through cervical mucus and to pass through the outer coverings of the egg, and a normal shaped head to bind to the surface of the egg. In addition, the release of enzymes from the acrosome on the head of the sperm and vigorous motility are needed to penetrate into the egg to deposit genetic material.
www.mivf.com.au
Monday - Friday
First Floor, Room 8
Sunshine Specialist Centre
147 Furlong Road, St Albans 3021
(directly opposite Sunshine Hospital)
Ph: (03) 9356 9133 Fax: (03) 9356 9144
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Infertility is commonly defined as an inability to conceive after 1-2 years of trying. In approximately 60% of cases the difficulty is with the woman and 40%, the man. Infertility also refers to repeated miscarriages.
In order for a woman to conceive, she must ovulate. The egg must travel through the fallopian tube towards the uterus and a man's sperm must fertilise the egg along the way. Finally the fertilised egg must implant into the wall of the uterus. Some of the main causes of infertility in women are; endometriosis (where parts of the uterine wall are deposited in the abdomen outside the uterus itself), polycystic ovary syndrome, and fallopian tube blockages. In men problems may be caused by low sperm count or sperm abnormalities. However, in many cases the infertility is unexplained, with no underlying problems that can be identified.
Chinese medicine treatment is tailored to you as an individual. The practitioner will take note of your medical history, the characteristics of your menstrual cycle and your general health. This information will be used to assess the nature of the underlying imbalance, and to choose a herbal formula (a combination of herbs), which will then be modified during the course of treatment.
The aim of treatment will be, where appropriate, to regulate the cycle and support ovulation or implantation. The medicine may be prescribed as a tea or in pill form. In addition your practitioner may recommend lifestyle and dietary changes. A minimum of three months' treatment can be expected in the case of unexplained infertility. Although with underlying problems such as endometriosis treatment tends to be longer, improvement may be seen in other changes, such as a reduction in the severity of peiod pain.
www.tcmacupunctureclinic.co.uk
The Bassett Clinic
Aberfoyle House
Stapley Road
St. Albans
Herts. AL3 5EP
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