Fertility Treatment Options for Single Women
Women today feel increasingly more comfortable going after what they want, when they want it. In terms of starting a family, many women are ready to get the process started on their own timeline, whether or not they have a partner who is ready to start the journey with them.
At The Center for Fertility and Gynecology, we offer a range of fertility treatment options for single women that allow them to build their family on their terms. Single women in Los Angeles, Tarzana, Bakersfield, CA, and surrounding areas can read on to learn more about the services offered by our fertility specialists.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is one of the most popular fertility treatment options for single women, in part because it is the most straightforward. During an IUI procedure, a sample of donor sperm is washed and prepared and then deposited directly into the woman’s uterus via a thin, flexible catheter. The procedure is non-invasive and is completed in a matter of minutes.
IUI has high success rates because it delivers the sperm closer to the fallopian tubes. To further improve the chance of a successful pregnancy, IUI is often performed in conjunction with ovarian stimulation.
Ovarian stimulation involves the use of fertility medications to promote egg production. Even young women with a good ovarian reserve can benefit from ovarian stimulation because it encourages the release of multiple mature eggs, which means there is a greater chance that one will be fertilized by deposited sperm.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a more complex fertility treatment, but one that also offers impressive success rates. This procedure involves several steps, including ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer.
Since IUI is an easier and more affordable process, IVF is not usually the first choice of single women. However, if a woman has fertility issues and needs to use donor eggs, IVF gives her the opportunity to have a child and carry the pregnancy. Similarly, if a woman is undergoing fertility treatment using her own eggs that she has previously frozen, IVF is the only viable fertility treatment.
Selecting a Sperm Donor
Whether a woman opts to undergo IUI treatment or IVF, she will need a sperm donor. Single women have the option of selecting a sperm donor that they know personally, or working with an anonymous donor through a sperm bank.
If a known donor is used, they will need to undergo a fertility evaluation and screening process to ensure that their sperm is viable. Since this can take quite a bit of time, many women choose to work with an anonymous donor who has already been screened. Before choosing a donor through a sperm bank, women can view profiles that contain information such as the donor’s physical appearance, their medical history, their degree of education, and their interests/hobbies.
Get Your Journey Started
If you are ready to take the first step toward being a mother, the doctors at The Center for Fertility and Gynecology would love to help you get the journey started. To learn more about our fertility services, send us a message online or call (818) 881-9800.