- age of each partner.
- cause of the infertility.
- duration of infertility.
- previous treatments.
There is a rapidly increasing number of treatments and a variety of protocols for each treatment. Finally, success may be reported in terms of biochemical pregnancy (a positive pregnancy test that may be performed between 9 and 21 days after the possible conception day), clinical pregnancy (evidence of a viable pregnancy on early ultrasound), ongoing pregnancy, and live births. Live birth rates may overstate success as this may include multiple births.
These problems are well recognised and useful attempts to satisfy the need for an overview have been made. Whilst high-tech assisted conception techniques may provide higher success rates per cycle, they are completely unnatural and highly invasive. Furthermore, assisted conception has a high incidence of multiple pregnancies that are prone to obstetric and neonatal complications.
We believe that couples must be provided with unbiased information so that they can, as far as economic restrictions allow, follow the treatment path of their choice. There is a need for better organisation and integration of resources to ensure that simple, less invasive and more economical investigations and treatments are fully utilised before resorting to
'high-tech' options simply because they may be more modern and receive wider media coverage.
In the UK, HFEA provides details of the results for all IVF Units.
Finally, when choosing a fertility unit, it should be remembered that whereas ultimate success is a fundamental objective, the care provided by the fertility team is important and you may find that your general practitioner, friends or family are able to advise you.
