Figuring out fertility issues

Success rates of the various fertility treatments vary depending on the cause of infertility, a women’s age and health, and other factors, but in-vitro fertilization results in pregnancy in around 54% of women under 35 and 26% to 40% for women ages 35 to 40. The effectiveness of medications that stimulate ovulation vary depending on the woman’s age and what is used: It ranges from 18% with Femara (letrozole) to 32% for hormone shots.

And for low sperm count or motility, artificial insemination results in pregnancy after six tries about 40% of the time for women under the age of 40. Intrauterine insemination (a more targeted version of AI) succeeds from 5% to 20% of the time per try. Adding this technique of sperm delivery to the administration of Femara increases chances of success.

Who’s a candidate for fertility treatments? Women younger than 35 who want to conceive and who have not become pregnant after 12 months of unprotected intercourse should be offered an infertility evaluation — those over age 35 should consider evaluation after six months. For women 40 and older, immediate evaluation by a doctor should be considered, say the Yale researchers. Fertility evaluation is also recommended for women with infrequent or absent periods and known or suspected uterine, tubal or peritoneal disease, including stage III or IV endometriosis.

Before you start: A couple of new studies add information about the smartest techniques to use for fertility treatment. We want to share those so you are on the best path to success.

We love this one: You can eat your way to significantly increased fertility with a diet loaded with supplemental folic acid, vitamins, fruits and vegetables with low pesticide residue, whole grains, seafood, dairy and soy, according to an observational study of 357 women undergoing assisted reproductive technology.