30-year-old Khuyen, who had previously experienced a miscarriage, struggled for years to conceive again. An X-ray at the Center for Reproductive Support at Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi (IVF Tam Anh) revealed uterine adhesions. According to Doctor Nguyen Le Thuy, these adhesions were likely a consequence of the miscarriage treatment, causing damage and fusion within the uterus, hindering endometrial regeneration. This condition makes it difficult for embryos to implant, increasing the risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and premature birth.
Khuyen's husband, Huy, was diagnosed with varicocele, a condition that obstructs blood flow to the testicles, impacting sperm production and hormone levels. Doctors recommended surgery for both: adhesion removal for Khuyen and varicocele repair for Huy. However, natural conception after surgery wasn't guaranteed, so the couple opted for in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Two laparoscopic surgeries successfully restored Khuyen's uterus to its normal shape. Concurrently, Huy underwent surgery to redirect blood flow to healthy veins, supporting testicular function.
Post-surgery, Khuyen's uterus recovered, providing a suitable environment for embryo development. Huy's sperm count and quality also showed significant improvement. Khuyen underwent ovarian stimulation, retrieving 27 eggs. Embryologists then thawed Huy's sperm, selecting healthy ones for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with Khuyen's eggs. The process resulted in one 3-day-old embryo, seven 5-day-old embryos, and six 6-day-old embryos, all cryopreserved.
Doctors transferred a 5-day-old embryo into Khuyen's uterus, resulting in a successful pregnancy. Last August, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy via C-section.
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Khuyen and her husband with their newborn son. Photo: IVF Tam Anh |
Khuyen and her husband with their newborn son. Photo: IVF Tam Anh
According to Doctor Thuy, male and female factors contribute equally to infertility in about 40% of cases, with the remaining causes stemming from both partners or remaining unexplained. In women, infertility is often linked to uterine abnormalities such as uterine malformations, septums, endometriosis, fibroids, and polyps. Conditions like ovarian insufficiency, pelvic inflammatory disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, blocked fallopian tubes, and uterine adhesions also reduce the chances of natural pregnancy.
In men, common causes include sperm abnormalities or conditions like varicocele, testicular atrophy, undescended testicles, premature ejaculation, hormonal imbalances, celiac disease, and cancer. Certain medications for cancer and arthritis can also affect fertility. Genetic factors, such as Klinefelter syndrome, AZF deletions, or vas deferens aplasia, can also lead to male infertility.
Most causes of infertility can be addressed and treated. At IVF Tam Anh, advanced IVF techniques and AI-powered embryo incubation systems enhance success rates. Doctor Thuy emphasizes that the woman's age, the duration of infertility, and the underlying cause are crucial factors influencing the effectiveness of assisted reproductive treatments, especially IVF. Therefore, couples experiencing difficulty conceiving should seek early consultation for a personalized treatment plan.
Trinh Mai
