Medical Support on Your Journey Towards Parenthood

Whatever it takes: from simple hormonal stimulation to highly complex IVF/ICSI treatments. Step by step – as much as necessary, as little as possible.

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Our Goal

Not every couple immediately requires assisted reproductive treatment such as In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Reproductive medicine offers a range of options to support the wish to have a child — from gentle hormone therapy and insemination through to IVF and ICSI.

Good to Know

At the 360° Kinderwunsch Zentrum Zürich, we always take an individualised, step-by-step approach: Whenever possible, we begin with less invasive and often simpler treatment options before considering more advanced procedures. This ensures that your treatment is tailored specifically to you, your situation, and your pace — both medically and emotionally.

Our Step-by-Step Treatment Approach

Every treatment journey begins with a careful assessment of both partners. Based on these findings, we discuss together which treatment steps are appropriate in your individual case.Typically, treatment may progress through the following stages:

Often, the first step is hormone therapy to help regulate the menstrual cycle or specifically trigger ovulation.

Goals:

  • to induce or regulate ovulation 
  • to optimise reproductive hormone levels 
  • to support the development of the uterine lining 

Hormone therapy can be used on its own or in combination with insemination. It is minimally invasive and can be a very good option when the general conditions are favourable, but the cycle requires support.

During Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), specially prepared sperm are placed directly into the uterus at the optimal time shortly before ovulation. This differs from simple vaginal insemination, where sperm are only placed into the vagina and which is significantly less effective.

The goal is to shorten the sperm’s path to the egg and increase the likelihood of fertilisation. In most cases, IUI is combined with mild hormonal stimulation.

This treatment may be suitable, for example, when:

  • the fallopian tubes are open and functional 
  • there are only mild limitations in sperm quality
  • mild cycle support is needed 

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is used when sperm quality is insufficient for IUI or, for example, when the fallopian tubes are blocked.

Overview of the procedure:

  • hormonal stimulation of the ovaries
  • egg retrieval
  • fertilisation in the laboratory
  • embryo culture
  • embryo transfer into the uterus 

With IVF, the sperm fertilise the eggs independently in the laboratory. IVF is recommended when more intensive treatment is required, but sperm quality still allows for natural fertilisation of the egg.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a specialised form of IVF and is primarily used in cases of significantly reduced sperm quality or failed fertilisation during previous IVF treatment. 

The process is similar to IVF; however, in the laboratory, a single sperm is injected directly into the egg. All further treatment steps are the same as in conventional IVF.

ICSI is a highly effective but also more complex procedure. We use it selectively and only when it is medically appropriate.

Not every couple requires every treatment step — sometimes mild support is sufficient, while in other cases more advanced treatment may be beneficial. Every decision is made together with you and tailored individually to your needs and wishes.