Infertility Evaluation-Testing & Treatment

Infertility Evaluation, Testing & Treatment

Infertility is a condition of the reproductive system in which a woman has not been able to get pregnant after 6-12 months without the use of any form of birth control or if the woman has suffered from multiple miscarriages.

Many things can affect a woman’s ability to have a baby and infertility may be caused by more than one factor. Some of the most common factors include:

Problems with ovulation
Blocked fallopian tubes
Health or quality of sperm
Age
Weight
Stress
Poor nutrition
Tobacco smoking
Alcohol
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Health problems that cause hormonal changes

In some cases, a cause cannot be determined.

Infertility Evaluation & Testing

Evaluation and testing can be conducted by your OB/GYN to help pinpoint the cause of infertility and to determine what treatment would be appropriate.

For more complex fertility issues, you may be referred to an infertility specialist for additional testing and assist in conceiving.

Infertility Treatments

The type of treatment you receive depends on what may be causing the infertility.

Treatment options may include lifestyle changes, medication, ovulation induction, surgery, artificial insemination, and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

In some cases, different treatments may be used together to improve results. You should discuss the success rates of your options with your doctor.