Pharmacological Tools in the Management of Infertility

Abstract

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after at least 12 months of regular and unprotected sexual intercourse defined by the WHO. Infertility is a multifactorial disease of the reproductive system and is estimated to affect one in six couples with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Treatment regimens vary between underlying etiology and differs between each individual. Hence, understanding the patient history and clinical evaluation is critical to reach a successful outcome. The current understanding of the etiology of infertility is introduced first, whether it is anatomy abnormalities, hormone disruptions or infections. Next, the therapeutic options will be discussed. Ovulation induction agents are the most used pharmacological treatment and is usually proceeded with assisted reproductive technologies (ART). This thesis explores the possibilities of how pharmacological intervention works in sync with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Despite the success of pharmacological treatment, complications including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), multiple gestations, and ectopic pregnancy may arise. The importance of individualized treatment strategies to minimize risks and improve efficacy of the treatment will be further discussed in this study.