Couples struggling with infertility problems have turned to fertility clinics and artificial insemination clinics in Boston and throughout the nation for help.
Artificial insemination, or intrauterine insemination, may not be for everyone and patients are strongly encouraged to discuss their candidacy with a medical professional at a reputable fertility clinic in their area.
In this procedure, the woman is injected with sperm that has been specially prepared.
The sperm are concentrated and then are injected directly into the woman's uterus.
This is typically done the day after she has released an egg from one of her ovaries.
From there, the sperm is expected to swim into the fallopian tubes to fertilize the egg.
Some procedures require the use of fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation, while other procedures follow the woman's normal menstrual cycle.
Speaking with a medical professional regarding the use of fertility drugs in this procedure is important.
Women whose partner suffers from a low concentration of sperm, weak motility or other irregularities may be considered candidates for artificial insemination.
Women with cervical factor infertility may also be considered candidates.
This condition occurs when the cervical mucus that allows the sperm to travel from the vaginal to the fallopian tubes is too thick.
In cases where the couple does not know the cause of their infertility or the fertility doctor may not be able to pinpoint the exact cause, intrauterine insemination may be an option.
Women with an allergy to their partner's semen may also be considered candidates.
While this is rare, some women are allergic to certain proteins in their partner's semen, which may cause redness, burning or swelling.
This allergy may also cause hives or difficulty breathing.
Artificial insemination may be a way around this problem if the couple wishes to conceive.
Women using donor sperm may also use artificial insemination to fertilize their egg.
Patients should explore all of their options when seeking fertility treatment.
It is important that women or couples undergoing fertility treatment disclose their medical history and any conditions they may have with a medical professional prior to receiving treatment.
Patients with further questions about artificial insemination clinics in Boston or elsewhere should contact a member of the medical staff at a reputable clinic in their area.
Artificial insemination may be just one possible solution to infertility and considering other treatments may prove beneficial to couples experiencing this problem.