Infertility Specialist

What is infertility?

Infertility is when you’re unable to get pregnant after a year of trying, or six months for women 35 years of age or older. Women who experience multiple miscarriages also have infertility.

Many couples struggle with infertility. Though women often carry much of the guilt when they’re unable to get pregnant, men can also have problems that may make it harder for a woman to get pregnant.

What causes infertility in women?

Problems with ovulation are the most common cause of infertility in women. Ovulation occurs every month when your ovary releases an egg. Pregnancy occurs when a sperm fertilizes the egg as it travels through the fallopian tube.

If you have an irregular period, then you may not ovulate every month, decreasing your chances of conception. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a gynecological condition that affects ovulation and is a common cause of infertility in women.

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a condition that causes the ovaries to stop working normally before you reach age 40. POI affects ovulation and is also a common cause of infertility in women.

Women may also have a hard time getting or staying pregnant if they have structural abnormalities that affect their reproductive organs, such as a blockage in the fallopian tubes because of scarring related to endometriosis or fibroids in the wall of the uterus. 

What happens during an infertility evaluation?

When you visit Comprehensive OB/GYN Healthcare, PC, with concerns about infertility, you can expect a patient-focused and compassionate evaluation. 

Your provider asks detailed questions about your menstrual cycle, gynecological history, medical history, and family history. They also ask about your partner’s health and sexual history.

Your provider conducts a physical and pelvic exam and may perform an in-house ultrasound to evaluate your reproductive organs. Your partner may also need testing, such as checking sperm count or motility.

How is infertility treated?

The Comprehensive OB/GYN Healthcare, PC, team takes a holistic approach to women’s health. 

Before prescribing medications, the team may recommend you track your ovulation by monitoring your morning body temperature, evaluating your vaginal secretions, and using an ovulation test kit. Once you know when you’re ovulating, the team provides instructions on when to have intercourse to increase your chances of conception.

If you continue to struggle with infertility, the team may recommend medical interventions, such as hormone treatments to increase ovulation or artificial insemination. They may also suggest surgery to fix any structural problem affecting your ability to conceive or to remove fibroids or endometriosis lesions.

For a personalized and holistic approach to infertility from a team of experienced women’s health experts, call Comprehensive OB/GYN Healthcare, PC, or schedule an appointment online today.