Intrauterine Insemination – or IUI is used to get sperm into the uterus at the time of ovulation. To accomplish this washed or processed sperm is injected via a thin catheter through the cervix and into the uterine cavity thus enabling the sperm to be in the right place at the right time.
In Vitro Fertilization – IVF – A woman takes hormonal medications to stimulate the development of multiple eggs (in her ovaries) which are then retrieved, fertilized in the laboratory with her partner’s sperm, cultured and grown for 5 or 6 days, and then selectively transferred to her uterus. There are multiple indications for this procedure.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection – also called ICSI – entails selecting and injecting individual sperm into eggs. It can be used to improve the chances of fertilization when there is severe male factor infertility.
Epididymal or Testicular Sperm Aspiration- If a man’s sperm is unable to travel from his testicles and into his ejaculate they can be obtained directly from the testicles with a thin needle or via a simple microsurgical technique.