| ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES (ART) |
In their efforts to overcome fertility, many couples will conceive through infertility treatments such as medications to correct ovulatory difficulties or surgery to correct anatomical problems. For some couples, however, the solution may require more involved medical procedures. There are several specialized treatments designed to increase the number of eggs and/or sperm, or bring them closer together, thus improving the likelihood of pregnancy. Collectively, these medical procedures are referred to as assisted reproductive technologies (ART). ART offers hope to couples who are unable to achieve pregnancy through other approaches.
Within any given month, the likelihood of achieving pregnancy for a normal fertile couple is about 25%. With the use of ART procedures, certain infertile couples have a chance of pregnancy similar to that of a normal couple. ART procedures have resulted in pregnancy rates ranging from 18% to 28% per egg retrieval. In some cases, success my require repeated attempts with therapy before conception may occur. However, this is true even in couples who do not experience fertility problems.