Assisted Reproduction

These complex procedures may be an option for people who have already gone through various infertility treatment options but who still have not achieved pregnancy. Those interested in ART should discuss the options with their health care provider and may need to consult a fertility specialist.

Assisted reproduction is the name given to treatments that can help you get pregnant without you having sexual intercourse. There are varieties of treatments, and what is suitable for you will depend on your own circumstances. The options include:

• intrauterine insemination (IUI)
• in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
• IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
• the use of donor sperm (donor insemination) or eggs (egg donation).

Other methods of assisted reproduction called gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) or zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) are not recommended.

Certain forms of assisted reproduction (IUI, IVF, ICSI, donor insemination and egg donation) are regulated by law and their use is controlled by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA; www.hfea.gov.uk).