Fertility treatments

Thanks to the latest technology, there are lots of ways to help people deal with fertility issues. The options that are best suited for you and your partner will depend on your personal situation and the root cause of your infertility.

Sometimes only one partner needs treatment; other times, both partners will use a combination of treatments together.

After conducting the fertility assessment, Dr Tshikosi will be able to provide solutions that may treat the underlying cause of infertility.

Whether a treatment is successful depends on:

• The underlying cause of the problem (in both male and female)
• The woman's age
• The woman’s history of previous pregnancies
• How long has the woman/man has fertility issues
• If one or both partners have fertility problems

Types of fertility treatments

Dr Tshikosi specialises in providing the following fertility treatments:

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)/Artificial insemination

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) or artificial insemination is a procedure in which sperm is placed directly into a woman’s uterus. During natural conception, sperm have to travel from the vagina through the cervix, into the uterus, and up to the fallopian tubes. With IUI, sperm are “washed”, concentrated, and placed directly into the uterus, which puts them closer to the egg. The process can increase the likelihood of pregnancy in certain couples who have had difficulty getting pregnant.

Ovulation Induction

Ovulation induction is usually straightforward fertility treatment that involves taking oral or injectable medication to stimulate ovulation. The medication is usually taken by women at the beginning of their menstrual cycle. While on the medication, Dr Tshikosi will monitor the body's response by using an ultrasound. He will be able to see when you are due to ovulate and therefore, advise on the best time for intercourse or insemination.

IVF workup

Dr Tshikosi offers IVF workups to determine if IVF is a suitable treatment option. Before beginning IVF treatment, women will first need to undergo ovarian reserve testing. To do this, Dr Tshikosi will take a blood sample and test it for the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The results of this test will give Dr Tshikosi more information about the size and quality of the eggs. Dr Tshikosi will also examine the uterus. Men will need to have sperm testing to analyse the number, size, and shape of the sperm.

*Please note, we do not currently offer the IVF procedure at our practice.

If Dr Tshikosi finds that you are a suitable candidate for IVF, he will refer you to another fertility specialist for treatment.