Advanced Fertility Treatments

Gynaec Procedures

Ovarian Stimulation

Ovarian Stimulation is a crucial component of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI). At Srikumaran Hospital, we offer personalized ovarian stimulation protocols tailored to each patient’s specific fertility needs and health profile.

Process:

Initial Assessment: Our fertility specialists conduct a thorough assessment including medical history, hormone levels, and ovarian reserve testing to design a customized treatment plan.
Medication Protocol: Based on the assessment, patients receive hormonal medications such as gonadotropins (FSH, LH) to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple follicles.
Monitoring: Close monitoring through blood tests and ultrasound scans is crucial to assess follicular growth and hormone levels, ensuring optimal timing for egg retrieval.
Trigger Injection: When follicles reach optimal size, a trigger injection (hCG or GnRH agonist) is administered to induce final maturation of eggs.
Egg Retrieval: Approximately 36 hours after the trigger injection, eggs are retrieved using transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration under sedation.
Embryo Culture and Transfer: In IVF, retrieved eggs are fertilized with sperm in the laboratory, and resulting embryos are cultured for a few days before transfer into the uterus. In IUI, prepared sperm is directly inseminated into the uterus during ovulation.

IUI,IVF & ICSI

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI):

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment where prepared sperm is directly placed into the uterus during the woman’s ovulation period. This procedure enhances the chances of sperm reaching and fertilizing the egg naturally.

Procedure: Sperm is washed and concentrated before insertion into the uterus using a thin catheter. It is a relatively simple and non-invasive procedure.

Ideal Candidates: IUI is suitable for couples with mild male factor infertility, cervical factor infertility, or unexplained infertility.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI):

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a complex fertility treatment where fertilization occurs outside the body in a laboratory setting. This method involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm, and transferring the resulting embryo(s) back into the uterus.

Procedure: After ovarian stimulation to produce multiple eggs, eggs are retrieved using a minor surgical procedure. Fertilization occurs in the lab, and embryos are cultured for a few days before transfer.

Ideal Candidates: IVF is suitable for couples with severe male factor infertility, tubal factor infertility, endometriosis, or advanced maternal age.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI):

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a specialized form of IVF used when male infertility is a factor. During ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into an egg to facilitate fertilization.

Procedure: Similar to IVF, but with the addition of ICSI, where a sperm is selected, immobilized, and injected into an egg using a fine needle.

Ideal Candidates: ICSI is recommended for couples with severe male infertility, low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm morphology.

TESA & PESA

TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration)

TESA is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to retrieve sperm directly from the testicles of men who have obstructive azoospermia, where sperm production is normal but blocked from reaching the ejaculate.

Procedure: Using local anesthesia, a thin needle is inserted into the testicle to aspirate fluid and tissue containing sperm. The retrieved sperm can be used for procedures like IVF or ICSI.

Indications: TESA is suitable for men with obstructive azoospermia due to blockages in the reproductive tract, often caused by previous surgery, infection, or congenital issues.

PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration)

PESA is another minimally invasive procedure to retrieve sperm from the epididymis, a structure attached to the testicle where sperm mature and are stored. It is used for men with obstructive azoospermia where sperm are produced but not transported effectively.

Procedure: Similar to TESA, PESA involves inserting a fine needle directly into the epididymis under local anesthesia to aspirate fluid containing sperm.

Indications: PESA is suitable for men with obstructive azoospermia due to epididymal blockages, often caused by infections, previous surgery, or genetic conditions.

Blastocyst Culture

Blastocyst culture is an advanced technique used during in vitro fertilization (IVF) where embryos are grown in the laboratory for several days until they reach the blastocyst stage. Typically, embryos are cultured for 5-6 days post-fertilization, allowing them to develop into a more advanced stage before being transferred into the uterus.

Sperm Freezing, TESA Freezing

Sperm Freezing

Sperm freezing, also known as sperm cryopreservation, is a process where sperm cells are preserved at very low temperatures (-196°C) to maintain their viability for future use in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as IVF and ICSI.

Procedure: Sperm freezing involves collecting a semen sample through masturbation or surgical retrieval (TESA or PESA), processing it to remove seminal fluid, and then freezing the sperm in liquid nitrogen.

Indications: Sperm freezing is recommended for men facing infertility due to upcoming medical treatments (such as chemotherapy), before vasectomy, or for those in occupations with potential exposure to toxins.

TESA Freezing

TESA freezing is a specific method of sperm retrieval used when sperm are obtained directly from the testicles (usually due to obstructive azoospermia) and subsequently frozen for future use in assisted reproduction.

Procedure: Similar to TESA for immediate use, sperm are aspirated from the testicles under local anesthesia. After processing, viable sperm are cryopreserved using specialized techniques.

Indications: TESA freezing is suitable for men with obstructive azoospermia, where the epididymis or vas deferens is blocked, preventing sperm from reaching the ejaculate.

Embryo Freezing, Oocyte Freezing

Embryo Freezing

Embryo freezing, also known as embryo cryopreservation, is a technique used during in vitro fertilization (IVF) where embryos are preserved at very low temperatures (-196°C) to be stored for future use in assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

Procedure: After fertilization and embryo culture, surplus high-quality embryos not transferred in the current cycle are cryopreserved using specialized techniques and stored in liquid nitrogen.

Indications: Embryo freezing is recommended for couples undergoing IVF who have excess embryos suitable for freezing, which can be used in subsequent cycles if needed.

Oocyte Freezing

Oocyte freezing, also known as egg freezing or oocyte cryopreservation, is a method where a woman’s eggs (oocytes) are harvested, frozen, and stored for future use in fertility treatments.

Procedure: Eggs are retrieved from the ovaries through controlled ovarian stimulation, using techniques similar to IVF. They are then cryopreserved using advanced freezing methods.

Indications: Oocyte freezing is suitable for women who wish to preserve their fertility due to personal reasons, medical treatments (such as chemotherapy), or before undergoing elective procedures that may affect fertility.

Laser Hatching

Laser Assisted Hatching is a specialized technique used during certain assisted reproductive technologies (ART) procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). It involves creating a small hole or thinning the outer shell (zona pellucida) of an embryo using a focused laser beam before embryo transfer into the uterus.

Purpose of Laser Assisted Hatching

Facilitates Embryo Implantation: By creating a small opening in the zona pellucida, laser assisted hatching helps embryos hatch out of their protective shell and implant into the uterine lining more easily.

Improves Pregnancy Rates: It may enhance the chances of successful embryo implantation and subsequent pregnancy, especially in cases where the embryo has a thick or hardened zona pellucida.