With changes in social trends, more people are marrying and starting families later in life. However, as age increases, the quality of a woman’s eggs declines, leading to more and more families who wish to conceive but struggle with infertility.
In the previous lesson, we mentioned that the ovaries—often overlooked—are a crucial organ for female fertility. Ovaries are not only the storage for eggs but also the key to reproductive capability.
While freezing eggs early can help avoid fertility difficulties later, modern reproductive technology now also offers assisted reproductive methods to boost pregnancy rates!
Assisted reproduction is divided into IUI (intrauterine insemination) and IVF (in vitro fertilization). Below, we introduce how each method is carried out and explain the differences.
IUI Procedure
1. Ovulation Induction : Day 1–3 of Menstrual Cycle
Return to the clinic for blood tests to observe hormone changes and use vaginal ultrasound to monitor follicle development.
2. Monitoring Follicle Maturity: Day 8–12 (about 3 visits)
Return to the clinic for blood tests to observe hormone changes and use vaginal ultrasound to monitor follicle development.
3. Intrauterine Insemination: Day 13–15
To ensure better sperm quality, the male partner should avoid alcohol, infection, and fatigue. Abstain from ejaculation for 2 days before sperm collection.
On the procedure day, sperm should be delivered to the clinic within 1 hour of collection or collected on-site.
After processing by embryologists, the most motile sperm is injected into the uterus via catheter. The procedure takes only a few minutes and requires no anesthesia.
After resting for 30 minutes, the patient can go home. Return for a blood pregnancy test 14 days later.
IVF Procedure
1.Ovulation Induction: Day 1–3 of Menstrual Cycle
Medications (injectables or oral) are administered to stimulate ovulation and increase egg quantity.
Follow your doctor’s instructions strictly for the best outcome.
2.Monitoring Follicle Maturity: Day 8–12 (about 2–4 visits)
Return to the clinic for bloodwork and vaginal ultrasound to track follicle development.
3. Egg Retrieval & Sperm Collection: Day 12–15
Egg retrieval is done under general anesthesia, guided by transvaginal ultrasound.
Sperm is collected via masturbation and delivered to the clinic within 1 hour.
To ensure sperm quality, the male partner should avoid alcohol, infection, and fatigue, and abstain from ejaculation for 2 days.
4. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF):
Mature eggs are placed in a culture dish with processed sperm to achieve fertilization in the lab.
If sperm quality is poor, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be used to improve fertilization rates.
5. Fresh or Frozen Embryo/Blastocyst Transfer (on selected day)
Fertilized eggs are called embryos, and by day 5–7 they develop into blastocysts.
You may choose fresh transfer or freeze the embryos for transfer at a later, optimal time.
Government Subsidy for IVF Treatment
Starting July 1, 2021, the Taiwan government has launched an expanded subsidy program for families struggling with infertility.
For the first child, the maximum subsidy can reach NT$100,000.
