Gynecology and IVF Treatment

What is Gynecology?

Genecology is a field of medicine which treats women’s reproductive health issues. It offers diagnosis and treatments for diseases affecting the female reproductive system, including their prevention and therapy in genecology, the gynecologist deals with the ailment of female reproductive organs such as ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, uterus, etc.

What is the difference between Obstetrics and Gynecology?

Obstetrics and Gynecology are two different fields of medicine that focus on two distinct aspects of the female reproductive system.
Obstetrics focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of pregnant women. It involves the welfare of the pregnant woman and baby, providing care for the pregnant woman, unborn baby, delivery and the immediate period afterwards. Its main aim is to provide the best prenatal care and to prevent complications during labour and delivery.
Gynaecology deals with all the other issues related to female reproductive organs. It includes diagnosis and treatment of cancer of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Gynaecologists can also aid in matters pertaining to infertility and contraception.

What are Gynecological Disorders?

Gynecological disorders include all those conditions that impact the female reproductive organs adversely. Gynecological disorders may consist of the following:

Can Gynecological Disorders Lead to Infertility?

A couple’s inability to conceive after trying for 12 months is termed infertility. Infertility has become a global issue. Today, millions of people all over the world are either struggling to conceive or to carry a healthy pregnancy. Several factors contribute to this increasing ratio of fertility issues, gynecological disorders being one of them.
Most often, the underlying issue behind a couple’s inability to conceive can be a gynecological disorder. Yes, gynecological disorders can affect fertility. Many women are not even aware of whether they have a gynecological disorder. This lack of diagnosis and treatment can cause fertility issues, and the couple may find it difficult to conceive or carry a healthy pregnancy.

How Gynecological Disorders Can be Treated?

Gynecological disorders can have a significant impact on a woman’s physical as well as mental health. Getting these issues identified at their initial stages is crucial so they can be treated well on time to prevent long-term complications. A regular gynecological examination can be fruitful in this regard.
Depending upon the underlying issue, different gynecological issues require further diagnosis and treatment. To treat gynecological disorders, treatments involving hormone therapy, medication, and surgery are employed. Moreover, gynecological disorders and issues can be alleviated by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying active, managing stress levels and exercising regularly.

Can Gynecological Treatment Help with Infertility?

We already know that gynecological disorders can affect a woman’s fertility. Gynecological disorders such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, etc., can contribute to infertility. However, through proper diagnosis and the precise identification of the underlying issues, infertility can be treated. Furthermore, assisted reproduction techniques, such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine Insemination (IUI), can also help couples in conception.

What is IVF?

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the most efficient assisted reproductive technique that has helped millions of couples globally in achieving parenthood. It is a highly advanced procedure which is recommended to couples who fail to conceive through conventional assisted reproduction procedures. Since its introduction, IVF has changed the dynamics of endocrinology. Today, it is known as the most successful technique and as a ray of hope for couples struggling to conceive or carry a pregnancy.

Is IVF helpful for Women suffering from Gynecological Disorders?

Gynecological Disorders can harm a woman’s fertility. Data suggests that thousands of women suffering from gynecological disorder(s) have conceived and birthed successfully with the help of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). It has successfully aided women with endometriosis and blocked fallopian tubes in conception. The technique has been proven successful in cases of unexplained infertility as well. However, to make an IVF treatment successful, a team of highly experienced and trained fertility experts and gynecologists is imperative. In IVF, eggs and sperm are fertilized outside the human body, which enhances the chances of conception for women suffering from gynecological disorders

What is the Procedure of IVF?

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) consists of a series of stages that require diligence. Following is a brief of the IVF procedure step by step:

1. The cycle of IVF starts with ovarian stimulation. At this stage, the ovaries are stimulated with certain hormones to retrieve 10-20 oocytes per cycle. More number of oocytes means more chances of successful fertilization per IVF cycle.

2. The oocytes are retrieved after about 36 hours of the trigger shot. The retrieved eggs are kept under optimal conditions. At the same time, sperm is collected from the male partner and prepared in the laboratory for fertilization.

3. In conventional IVF, sperm and eggs are put together in a laboratory culture medium where the sperm fertilizes the eggs. In ICSI, the sperm is injected into the egg, so it does not need to penetrate it, increasing the chance of successful fertilization. The couples can choose the technique they should use based on their fertility experts‘ advice.

4. When the embryos reach the blastocyst stage, the embryologist identifies the most viable embryo for transfer. This is the last stage of IVF, where one or two embryos are transferred into the uterus. The patient is asked to wait 14 days before performing a pregnancy test.

When should a couple consider IVF?

IVF is a highly advanced treatment which is recommended to couples who are unable to conceive after 12 months of trying. If any of the following conditions are present, experts may suggest the couple to go for IVF:

• Low AMH Levels: Her egg reserve declines as the female partner ages. Low AMH levels can cause difficulty in achieving pregnancy naturally. Therefore, in women above 34 years of age, we check AMH levels prior to suggesting they go for IVF. If their AMH level is <1 ng/ml, we recommend they go for IVF as soon as possible.

• Unsuccessful Conventional Treatments: If the couple has failed to conceive with the help of other conventional treatments available, we advise them to go for IVF due to its efficiency and advanced nature.

• Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A couple struggling to have a healthy pregnancy and facing recurrent miscarriages should also consider undergoing IVF treatment.

• Endometriosis: Endometriosis can impact the functioning of a woman’s reproductive organs. It can also lead to tubal blockage, which may prevent the sperm from meeting the eggs. In such a case, IVF is considered an excellent solution to achieve parenthood, especially for women having stage 3 or 4 endometriosis.

• Gynecological Treatment: A woman who has undergone surgery, i.e., ovarian surgery, as a treatment for any gynecological disorder may consider IVF to achieve motherhood. Ovarian surgery can impact a female’s ovarian reserve adversely. Hence, in such a case, IVF can be a viable option.

• Male Factor Infertility: In some cases, a couple is unable to conceive due to male-factor infertility. There are several factors which may cause male factor infertility, such as poor sperm motility or morphology, etc. Couples struggling to conceive due to male factor infertility can also consider IVF to achieve parenthood.

• Unexplained Infertility: There are numerous instances where a couple is unable to conceive, but the underlying fertility issues are unknown. For such couples, IVF is an excellent option to achieve parenthood successfully.

What are IVF Success Rates?

Infertility has become a global issue. Since IVF’s introduction, millions of children have been conceived with the help of IVF treatment. Although IVF is considered a successful treatment for millions, its success rates are different for different maternal ages. It decreases with the increase in maternal age. Data reveals that the IVF success rate for women under 35 years of age is 47.6%, while for women from 35-37 years of age, it is 30.7%. As the maternal age increases, the IVF success rates decrease significantly. Studies have shown that the live birth rate can be as low as 3.1% in women above 42 years of age.

What are the complications of IVF?

Although IVF is a safe medical procedure, there are some risks and complications associated with it. Ovarian stimulation can lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which may be life-threatening in some cases. However, in mild cases, the following complications can be experienced:

Is Infertility Treatment necessary for Women facing Gynecological Challenges?

Gynaecological disorders can impact a female’s fertility. It can affect the ability of a woman to conceive naturally. Women suffering from gynaecological disorders may require one or two infertility treatments to enhance their chances of thriving.
Infertility treatment is necessary for women having PCOS, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, etc. However, not all women suffering from some gynaecological condition face fertility problems; most of them may need medications or undergo other procedures to aid them in conception.
Women suffering from gynaecological disorders are advised to consult with a gynaecologist and fertility expert to identify their underlying conditions so they may diagnose and treat the condition appropriately.

Conclusion

Gynecological disorders can impact a woman’s ability to conceive if they are not treated in a timely manner. A team of experienced physicians, embryologists, gynecologists and obstetricians is imperative for successful fertility treatment. The impact of gynecological disorders on a woman’s ability to conceive has significantly caused the need to get fertility treatments.
Fertility can be treated through tailored treatment plans, which include medication, surgery and assisted reproductive techniques. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the most advanced technique that has helped millions of couples worldwide in conception and healthy birth. It is also helpful for women suffering from gynecological disorders, such as severe endometriosis, to achieve pregnancy if they are unable to conceive naturally. However, IVF success rates vary with each case, but they are affected by increased maternal age and underlying fertility issues in general.
It is to be noted that not every woman experiencing some gynecological disorder needs to undergo fertility treatment. For them, proper gynae examinations, timely diagnosis and treatment can prove fruitful. If you experience the symptoms of any gynecological disorder, you must consult with an experienced gynecologist and genetic counsellor to make your pregnancy smooth and avoid complications-free.

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