IVF & Fertility

There are a range of fertility services available at Medcy, including the following.

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

IVF is an assisted reproduction technology which fertilises eggs with sperm in a lab outside the body. First, the eggs are collected from the ovaries and then fertilised with sperm in a laboratory. Once fertilised, the egg is placed inside the uterus, where the embryo can implant itself, and pregnancy can occur. Couples with fertility issues, such as endometriosis, low sperm count, blocked fallopian tubes, or unexplained infertility, often opt for IVF.

Artificial Insemination

Artificial insemination is a fertility process where the sperm is placed inside the cervix or uterus during ovulation to get pregnant. It is a less invasive fertility treatment option that is recommended for individuals with fertility concerns like mild male factor infertility or cervical issues.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is a technique that involves the direct injection of a single live sperm into the centre of a human egg which can result in an embryo. ICSI is a type of IVF procedure, but slightly different.

During IVF, thousands of sperm are placed next to the egg, leaving fertilisation up to chance. However, ICSI directly injects a single sperm into a single egg, increasing the chances of fertilisation.

Egg Retrieval

Egg retrieval is a crucial step in the IVF process. During the procedure, ultrasound guidance is used to reach the eggs, where they are gently aspirated from the ovaries using a thin needle. The retrieved eggs are then immediately transported to the laboratory for fertilisation. The egg retrieval process is quick, but several tests are conducted prior to the minor procedure to ensure they are retrieved at the best time.

Infertility Treatment

Treating infertility is the main step towards conceiving a baby. The treatment depends on the cause of infertility. Fertility specialists conduct a thorough evaluation to identify the underlying causes of infertility. Depending on the diagnosis, medication, surgery, or therapy is recommended to improve fertility, increasing the chances of getting pregnant.

Assisted Hatching

Assisted hatching is an important part of the IVF process. It involves creating a small opening in the embryo’s outer shell (zona pellucida), facilitating its hatching and subsequent attachment to the uterine lining, resulting in the embryo implanting itself.

Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA)

PESA is a minimally invasive procedure used to retrieve sperm directly from the epididymis. It can be a part of the IVF procedure in cases of infertility due to obstructive azoospermia from either past infection or a vasectomy.

Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA)

MESA is a procedure that collects sperm from the epididymis using a thin needle. Men that have fertility concerns due to vassal or epididymal obstruction require a MESA to retrieve sperm during the IVF process for fertilisation. Sometimes the sperm can be cryopreserved for future use in case an extensive collection of mature sperm has occurred.

TESA or Testicular Sperm Aspiration

TESA is a minimally invasive surgical procedure which involves inserting a needle into the testicle to extract tissue or sperm. The extracted sample is then processed in the embryology laboratory to obtain the sperm cells. Typically, this method is used for men with obstructive azoospermia.

Microdissection TESE

TESE is a surgical procedure that aims to retrieve viable sperm cells from the testicle in cases of non-obstructive azoospermia. It involves the removal of a small tissue sample from the testicle, which is then examined under high-resolution microscopy to identify and extract sperm. Unlike TESA, which only retrieves a small sample, TESE involves the removal of a larger tissue sample for better chances of success.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

IUI is a type of artificial insemination where concentrated and washed sperm are placed directly into the uterus around the time when the ovaries release eggs for fertilisation. The goal of IUI is for the sperm to swim into the fallopian tube and fertilise an egg, leading to pregnancy.