Insemination

In this essay I will like to talk about artificial insemination. Actually we hear a lot about this new way of fertility so in my opinion it is important to know how it works and what will this involve if we decided to prove it in our lives. Also I will include how this discovery can help us to preserve our environment. Scientific advances should help the development on human life not on damaging it, such as the creation of nuclear bombs, chemicals or machines that will damage our environment.

Artificial insemination is a technique that can help treat certain kinds of infertility in both men and women. The main idea of it is making pregnancy possible where it wasn't before after a procedure. In this procedure, sperm are inserted directly into a woman's cervix, fallopian tubes, or uterus. This makes the trip shorter for the sperm and bypasses any possible obstructions.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI), in which the sperm is placed in the uterus, is the most common form of artificial insemination. This technique has a key advantage and is that it's a simple procedure with few side effects. For those reasons, doctors may recommend it as an initial form of treatment for infertility.

Infertility

To know which type of treatment can be successful we should understand what infertility is.

Infertility: Diminished or absent ability to conceive and bear offspring. A couple is considered to be experiencing infertility if conception has not occurred after 12 months of sexual activity without the use of contraception. Infertility can have many causes and may be related to factors in the male, female, or both. http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3977

In about 80% of couples, the cause of infertility is either irregular or no ovulation, blockage of the fallopian tubes or a sperm problem. In 5%-15% of couples, all tests are normal, and the diagnosis of "unexplained infertility" is made.

Types of infertility that may have a successful ending

Artificial insemination can be used for many kinds of fertility problems.

For men who have very low sperm counts or sperm that aren't strong enough to swim through the cervix and up into the fallopian tubes artificial insemination is uses. It’s also an option for women who have endometriosis or abnormalities of any of their reproductive organs.

Women with "unreceptive cervical mucus" are also good candidates for artificial insemination. This disease happens when the mucus surrounding the cervix is hostile to sperm and prevents sperm from getting into the uterus and fallopian tubes. Artificial insemination allows the sperm to skip the cervical mucus entirely. Doctors also often suggest artificial insemination when they cannot determine the reason a couple is infertile.

How it works

The doctor will use ovulation kits, ultrasound, or blood tests to make sure you are ovulating when you under go artificial insemination.

When the woman is ovulating, her partner will be asked to produce a sample of semen. That will be suggested to abstain from sex for two to five days to have a higher sperm count. If you live close to the clinic, your partner may be able to collect the semen at home by masturbating. Otherwise, the clinic will provide a private room for this purpose. The sperm must be "washed" in a laboratory within one hour of ejaculation.

The process of “washing” is for removing chemicals and fertilizes the semen that may cause discomfort for the woman. Then a centrifuge is used to collect the best sperm.

The sperm are then placed in a thin tube called a catheter and introduced through the vagina and cervix into the uterus. Artificial insemination is a short, relatively painless procedure. Immediately after the procedure your doctor will probably have you lie down for about 15 to 45 minutes to give the sperm a chance to get to work. After that, you can resume your usual activities.

In some cases, doctors will have her on fertility drugs, such as Clomid, to induce superovulation (ovulation of multiple eggs) before having artificial insemination.

Success rates

Success rates for artificial insemination may vary. Some factors that will decrease your chance of success are:

• Older age of the woman

• Poor egg quality

• Poor sperm quality

• Severe endometriosis

• Severe damage to fallopian tubes (usually from chronic infection)

A specialized organization named Attaint Fertility post this information about artificial insemination rates

Many people are achieving pregnancy with IUI.

IUI success rates range from 10 to 20 percent for one cycle.

IUI success rates are as high as 86 percent after multilple cycles (this rate is for those using donor sperm).

Intrauterine insemination may be used in conjunction with a process called superovulation.

IUI success rates with superovulation are at 5 percent per cycle for women over 40.

IUI success rates with superovulation are at 10 percent per cycle for women ages 35 to 40.

With superovulation,

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