Treatments For Infertility (HT Only)

Section 1 of 8Why infertility happens

Definition

• Definition A couple is infertile when they cannot conceive naturally or find it very hard to do so.

Hormone causes

• Hormone causes Too little of a reproductive hormone, often FSH from the pituitary, means eggs do not mature properly or sperm production is low.

Structural causes

• Structural causes Problems in the female reproductive system, such as blocked tubes, can stop an egg meeting sperm.

Section 2 of 8Fertility drugs

1Hormones given

• Hormones given FSH and LH are supplied artificially.

2Eggs mature

• Eggs mature The ovaries are stimulated to ripen eggs and ovulation can occur.

3Chance of pregnancy

• Chance of pregnancy Natural conception becomes possible.

4Side effect

• Side effect Several eggs may be released at once, raising the risk of twins or triplets.

Section 3 of 8The IVF procedure

1

The mother is given FSH and LH so that several eggs mature at the same time.

2

The eggs are collected and mixed with sperm from the father in a laboratory dish; 'in vitro' means 'in glass'.

3

Fertilised eggs divide and grow into tiny embryos, each a ball of cells.

4

Embryos can be checked, for example by removing one cell for genetic testing.

5

One or two healthy embryos are placed in the mother's uterus to implant.

Section 4 of 8Evaluating fertility treatment

Positive points	Issues to consider
Gives couples a chance to have their own baby	Success rate of IVF is low, about 30 per cent per attempt
Improved techniques and embryo testing raise success rates	Several embryos may be implanted, so multiple births are more likely and risk the health of mother and babies
Helps when both partners have fertility problems	Treatment is expensive and failure can be emotionally stressful
Embryos can be screened for serious genetic conditions	Unused embryos are often destroyed, which some people see as ethically wrong

Section 5 of 8Applications and exam context

Fertility treatment decisions

Medical

• Medical Fertility drugs are tried first because they are cheaper and less invasive;
  • IVF is offered when drugs fail or when the tubes are blocked.

Emotional

• Emotional Repeated unsuccessful cycles can cause stress and disappointment for both partners, so counselling is often offered.

Financial

• Financial Each IVF cycle is costly, and health services may fund only a limited number of attempts, so access can depend on where a couple lives.

Ethical

• Ethical Some people object to creating spare embryos that are discarded, while others argue that helping couples have children outweighs this.

Section 6 of 8Answering an evaluation question

1

Start by stating the benefit of the treatment, such as giving infertile couples a chance of a child.

2

Give at least one scientific drawback, such as the low success rate or the risk of multiple births.

3

Add a social or economic point, such as cost, stress or unequal access.

4

Include an ethical issue, such as what happens to unused embryos.

5

Finish with a judgement that weighs the points and justifies your conclusion.

Section 7 of 8Key terms

Term	Meaning
Infertility	Inability, or great difficulty, in conceiving a child naturally.
IVF	In vitro fertilisation: fertilising eggs with sperm outside the body.
Embryo	A very early stage of development formed after fertilisation.
Multiple birth	The birth of more than one baby from one pregnancy.
Fertility drug	Hormone treatment, such as FSH and LH, that stimulates egg development.

Section 8 of 8Exam technique

1

Saying IVF takes place inside the body. Fertilisation happens in a laboratory.

2

Forgetting that IVF itself also uses FSH and LH to mature eggs.

3

Describing IVF as highly successful. Success is only about 30 per cent.

4

Giving only scientific points when asked to evaluate. Include cost, emotional strain and ethics.

5

Giving a one-sided answer when the question asks you to weigh up advantages and disadvantages.