Unexplained Infertility
When individuals decide they are ready to have a child, most assume it will happen fairly quickly. However, for many, the journey to parenthood is much more difficult than they imagine. Countless people struggle with fertility issues that make natural conception unlikely, or impossible.
The Los Angeles Reproductive Center, serving Encino, CA, Bakersfield, CA, and Los Angeles, CA, is a fertility center that offers treatment for a wide range of fertility issues, but what if someone is diagnosed with unexplained infertility? In this article, individuals can gain a greater understanding of unexplained infertility and the services that help those with unexplained infertility.
What Is Unexplained Infertility?
If a couple is having a difficult time conceiving on their own, they should consider undergoing fertility testing. It is generally recommended that individuals schedule a fertility evaluation if they have been unsuccessful after trying to have a child for 12 months or more, or six months or more if the woman is over the age of 35.
A fertility evaluation looks at male and female fertility factors to determine the most likely cause of infertility. Testing typically includes:
- Assessing general health and looking at the patient’s medical history
- Tests of ovarian function and egg quality (i.e. the ovarian reserve)
- Examination of the uterus and fallopian tubes
- Semen analysis (to evaluate sperm count, sperm shape, and motility)
After these tests are performed, a diagnosis is made. If patients are diagnosed with unexplained infertility, it means that their fertility test results appear normal. In other words, sperm quality meets normal standards, ovulation is regular, the ovarian reserve and egg quality appear good, the fallopian tubes are open, and the uterus appears healthy. Yet, despite these findings, the couple has not been able to conceive naturally.
Can Unexplained Infertility Resolve On Its Own?
Many people diagnosed with unexplained infertility wonder if fertility treatment is necessary if all fertility functions appear normal. This is a personal decision. In some cases, individuals who are diagnosed with unexplained infertility go on to conceive naturally. It is often unknown why the issue spontaneously resolves on its own.
If people do choose to continue to try to conceive naturally, they should keep some type of timeline in mind. As people age, fertility naturally diminishes, and the chances of natural conception are likely to decrease even further.
Are Fertility Treatments Effective for Unexplained Infertility?
Even though unexplained infertility is a diagnosis, it is not one that provides many answers, which can be extremely frustrating. Fortunately, even without understanding exactly what is causing infertility, we can still offer fertility treatments to increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
Patients with unexplained infertility are often ideal candidates for intrauterine insemination, or IUI. During IUI concentrated sperm is injected directly into the uterus at the time of ovulation. IUI has high success rates, which can be increased even further when combined with ovarian stimulation.
If IUI is unsuccessful, individuals with unexplained infertility can also consider in vitro fertilization, or IVF. During IVF, the ovaries are stimulated, eggs are collected and fertilized in a laboratory, and viable embryos are transferred to the uterus. As with IUI, IVF is a highly successful fertility treatment.
Schedule an Appointment
If you are struggling to conceive, a fertility evaluation at the Los Angeles Reproductive Center can provide answers that help us create an appropriate fertility treatment plan. To schedule an appointment with our fertility specialists, call (818) 946-8051 at your earliest convenience.