Infertility may have many causes. The causes of infertility can be classified as female factor, male factor, combined or unexplained. Regardless of the cause of your fertility issues, we can help you maximize the chances of successfully conceiving and having a child.
Treating infertility starts with diagnosing the cause of your fertility problems. When evaluating female factors for infertility, we begin with a complete medical history and physical exam. That will help us determine the right course of action for you.
Infertility Diagnostic Testing
Infertility may have many causes. The causes of infertility can be classified as female factor, male factor, combined or unexplained. Regardless of the cause of your fertility issues, we can help you maximize the chances of successfully conceiving and having a child.
Treating infertility starts with diagnosing the cause of your fertility problems. When evaluating female factors for infertility, we begin with a complete medical history and physical exam. That will help us determine the right course of action for you.
Basic Diagnostic Testing for Female Factor Infertility
Depending on the patient, tests we might run to test for female factor infertility can include:
Blood and Urine Tests to check hormone levels
Pap Smear to check the health of the cervix
Basal Body Temperature Test to determine if your ovaries are releasing eggs. Basal body temperature (BBT) is your morning body temperature before you get out of bed. When you ovulate, your ovaries release the hormone progesterone, which causes a slight rise in temperature. It remains elevated until right before menstruation, when it returns to normal. If your temperature doesn’t follow this pattern, it might indicate a problem. The BBT uses a special, ultra-sensitive thermometer to take your temperature and chart it over the course of a few months. If the test does indicate a problem, your doctor will do a blood test to confirm findings.
Endometrial Biopsy to determine if eggs have been released and whether the endometrium (lining of the uterus) has undergone the hormonal changes necessary for an egg to implant and grow into pregnancy. In this simple procedure, your physician will take a small tissue sample from the endometrium and examine it under a microscope. An endometrial biopsy is often done if the results of a Basal Body Temperature Test are unclear.
Ultrasound imaging to look for fibroids and cysts in your uterus and ovaries. This test uses sound waves to view the uterus and ovaries on a computer screen. It causes little discomfort and is very effective.
Post-Coital Test to test if sperm can survive in your cervical mucous. The physician takes a sample of mucous from your vagina to test how it interacts with sperm. The test must be performed during your fertile days and within 12 hours after sex.
If more simple tests are inconclusive or more complex tests are required, they might include the following:
Medical Management of Female Factor Infertility
If infertility is related to ovulation disorders, fertility medications are the primary treatment. These medications work by causing the release of hormones that either trigger or regulate ovulation.
Some medications are taken orally, while some are injected. Even if you are using assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF, fertility medications are still an important part of treatment.
Medical Management of Female Factor Infertility
If infertility is related to ovulation disorders, fertility medications are the primary treatment. These medications work by causing the release of hormones that either trigger or regulate ovulation.
Some medications are taken orally, while some are injected. Even if you are using assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF, fertility medications are still an important part of treatment.
What Happens After Diagnosis
If we are able to identify a cause of fertility issues, whether female factor, male factor, or combined, we will recommend a course of treatment.
In some cases, this may be a fertility treatment such as IUI, IVF, or Donor Assisted Reproduction. In other cases, it may be a medical treatment for the underlying cause of the infertility.
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