Infertility affects upwards of 6 million women of childbearing age in the United States. Infertility, while prevalent, does not rule out the possibility of having a child. At Memorial Women’s Specialists in Houston, TX, infertility specialists M. Bruce Christopherson, MD, FACOG, Mina Sinacori, MD, MPH, FACOG, and Lauren Spoo, MD, take an individualized approach to care. They undertake in-depth assessments to establish the root reason for your infertility and devise a strategy to improve your chances of pregnancy. To book your Houston infertility consultation with a skilled professional, call the office or request online.
What is the Definition of Infertility?
Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive a child after a year of attempting, or six months for women over 35 years. Women who have a lot of miscarriages could also be dealing with infertility.
What Are the Common Causes of Infertility?
Numerous processes must be completed for one to conceive. These steps are as follows:
- An egg is released from the ovary (ovulation)
- The egg’s journey down the fallopian tube
- The sperm fertilizes the egg
- The egg is implanted in the uterus
If any of these phases is disrupted, infertility could result. Ovulation issues, for instance, are a frequent cause of infertility. This could be the result of a gynecological problem like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS women can only ovulate eight times each year.
Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. Besides prompting heavy periods and pelvic pain, the endometrial tissue can scar the fallopian tube, impairing the egg’s ability to reach the uterus.
Although women bear the brunt of the responsibility, men, too, are affected by infertility. A reduced sperm count or sperm of poor quality can inhibit fertilization of the egg and thus affect conception.
What to Expect During an Evaluation for Infertility?
Once you visit Memorial Women’s Specialists for an infertility evaluation, you can anticipate a comprehensive examination. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine the underlying cause of your infertility so that the women’s health specialists can offer you the finest care possible to enhance your chances of pregnancy.
During your evaluation, your provider will evaluate your gynecological and sexual history, perform a pelvic and physical assessment, and order blood work to monitor hormone levels.
An ultrasound in the clinic might be advised to check for physical issues that could affect the pregnancy.
The Memorial Women’s Specialists’ providers also check your partner’s family and health history and might suggest an assessment of their sperm.
What Are the Options for Treating Infertility?
Memorial Women’s Specialists develop tailored treatment programs for infertility depending on the outcomes of your exam. Your care plan might entail monitoring your ovulation and timing your sexual intercourse to optimize your probability of conceiving.
Your OB/GYN might recommend ovulation-inducing medicine. They might also discuss intrauterine insemination with you, which entails injecting carefully prepared sperm into your uterus during ovulation.
If you still have trouble conceiving after trying these treatments, the staff may suggest in vitro fertilization (IVF). This procedure involves combining an egg with sperm outside of your body.
Infertility is prevalent, but you can overcome it with the correct attention and care. Contact Memorial Women’s Specialists through mobile to speak with a team member or use the online booking tool to schedule your infertility evaluation today.
