Treatment Options

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

IUI involves using a soft, plastic catheter to inject a sample of prepared sperm directly into the uterine cavity (inside of the uterus).  This process bypasses the cervix and brings the sperm closer to the fallopian tubes where fertilization occurs, increasing the chance of pregnancy.  IUI is typically utilized in infertile couples with unexplained infertility or mild male-factor infertility.

Donor Insemination

Donor sperm provides a treatment option for single female patients or couples experiencing severe male factor infertility.  Donor insemination can be done with or without ovarian stimulation with medications, depending on the particular fertility problem in question.  The insemination typically intrauterine is timed to coincide with ovulation.

Donor sperm is also commonly used by single and gay/lesbian women to achieve a pregnancy.

The screening of sperm donors, and processing and distribution of donor sperm for use in assisted reproduction is strictly regulated by Health Canada.  For further details, refer to the Health Canada website.

In Vitro Fertilization Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET)

In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer involves the stimulation of the ovaries to produce multiple eggs (also called oocytes) that are retrieved from the ovaries.  The eggs are fertilized by sperm in a laboratory and allowed to mature into embryos.  The embryos are then transferred into the uterus for implantation in the endometrium.

Any remaining embryos that were not transferred can be frozen (also called cryopreserved).  These frozen embryos can then be thawed and used for future embryo transfers, if the IVF cycle was unsuccessful in producing a pregnancy.  Frozen embryos may be stored successfully for years in order to initiate another pregnancy in the future without the need for gonadotropin stimulation and egg retrieval.

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

ICSI is a technique that involves injecting a single sperm into an egg.  The fertilized egg is then allowed to mature into an embryo that can be transferred back into female partner.  ICIS was developed for men with severe sperm abnormalities and it is the single biggest advancement in infertility treatment since in vitro fertilization (IVF).  Typically, ICSI uses ejaculated sperm, but surgically retrieved sperm can also be used.  ICSI is performed as part of an IVF cycle.