Ovulation stimulation

Ovulation stimulation is most often done in patients with polycystic ovaries (PCOS) and irregular periods. It is self-understood that the semen analysis is normal. The goal of the stimulation is to achieve ovulation, that is, to obtain one mature egg cell and for the couple to try to achieve a spontaneous pregnancy. Ovaries are most often stimulated with pills, but they can also be stimulated with low-dose hormone injections.

Artificial insemination

Insemination is usually done in couples with unexplained infertility and slightly deviating semen analysis. It is done in a completely natural cycle, that is, without the use of drugs or with mild stimulation, which increases the risk of twin pregnancy. Insemination with donor spermatozoa is performed in couples where no spermatozoa can be found in the male partner.

Surgical treatment

Certain causes of infertility can be treated surgically. In this way, myomas, endometriosis, adhesions in the uterus and certain congenital anomalies of the uterus can be treated. Most operations are performed laparoscopically (by inserting a camera and instruments through small incisions in the abdomen) and hysteroscopically (by inserting a camera and instruments through the cervix). Large myomas are removed through an open incision on the anterior abdominal wall.

Cancer and fertility

Chemotherapy and radiation can lead to infertility in both women and men. Before starting the treatment, it is necessary to evaluate which cytostatics and which dose of radiation can lead to a permanent disturbance of the function of the ovaries and testicles. Fertility protection methods are: freezing of spermatozoa, freezing of embryos, egg cells and ovarian tissue, as well as surgical removal of ovaries from the radiation zone.

Uterus transplantation

Women who were born without a uterus or have had their uterus surgically removed can have offspring through a uterus transplantion, in which case the donor organ will be transplanted into a woman who does not have a uterus. Before transplantation, it is necessary to perform in vitro fertilization and freeze the embryos. Embryo transfer to the uterus is done 6-12 months after transplantation. So far, about 40 children have been born in the world, 20 of them in Sweden. One child was born after a uterus transplantion performed in Serbia.

Ovarian activation

1% of women lose their ovarian function before the age of 40, that is, during premature menopause, which is probably the result of a gene mutation. One part of women loses ovarian function as a result of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

These women have a certain number of egg cells that cannot be activated and develop into a mature egg cell. The method of ovarian activation consists in the fact that one ovary is surgically removed, then "activated" in the laboratory and then that "activated" part is returned (transplanted) to the abdominal cavity, where the ovary is normally located. After the operation, ovarian function is controlled and IVF is performed.

The rest of the ovaries are frozen for possible later transplantation. The operation is performed laparoscopically with a one-night stay in the hospital.

Ovary activation was developed, among other things, at the universities in Gothenburg and Stockholm. So far, twenty children have been born in the world. The method is considered experimental. 


Egg cell donation is the only clinically established method for women with premature menopause.