Infertility Q & A

What is infertility?

Infertility means you’re unable to get or stay pregnant, even though you’re having unprotected sex in hopes of getting pregnant. Doctors generally describe female infertility as going a full year without getting pregnant. Infertility can happen at any age, but women in their 30s are about half as fertile as they are during their 20s, and the chance of conceiving declines significantly for women over age 35. If you’re over 35 and have been unsuccessful at getting or staying pregnant, you may have fertility issues.

What causes infertility?

The most common causes of female infertility include:

  • Irregular menstrual cycle
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Failure to ovulate
  • Implantation failure
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

The compassionate team at Advanced Obstetrics & Gynecology wants to help diagnose your infertility issues so you and your partner can experience a successful pregnancy and childbirth. When you come into the office for an infertility evaluation, our experienced team runs lab tests, checks ultrasound images, and discusses the cause of your infertility. They will also outline possible treatment options that are available to you. If the doctors suspect the issue is with the sperm quality rather than your reproductive health, your partner may want an evaluation.

How is infertility treated?

Infertility treatment increases the likelihood that you’ll get pregnant. Female infertility is treated with:

  • Hormones and fertility drugs to encourage ovulation and restore hormone balance
  • Surgical treatment to open blocked fallopian tubes or correct endometriosis

Your doctor at Advanced Obstetrics & Gynecology conducts a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of your infertility. Infertility treatment is customized based on your medical history and the results of infertility testing, ultrasounds, and bloodwork. If fertility drugs or surgery aren’t the answer, your doctor may recommend intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

Your partner’s sperm is collected and inserted directly into your uterus when you’re ovulating. The sperm gets a “head start” but must still reach and fertilize the egg once inserted.

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

Your partner’s sperm and your eggs are collected and then brought together in a lab environment. Once fertilized, the egg grows for up to five days before the embryo is inserted into the woman’s uterus.

Learn more about the cause of your infertility and treatment options by scheduling an exam online or by phone today.