Infertility is a complicated medical condition, and there sometimes isn’t a clear cause. Since both you and your partner contribute to the conception process, infertility is the result of many different factors. Excluding issues with your partner’s sperm, infertility can be caused by:

• Hormonal Problems
  If you have an underlying hormonal condition or a health problem that affects your hormones, your body might not be able to prepare for or sustain a pregnancy. Hormonal issues can affect the viability of your eggs, your uterus, or your body’s ability to nourish a fertilized egg.


• Fallopian Tube Damage
  As the key pathway through which your eggs reach your uterus, your Fallopian tubes can become damaged or scarred from conditions like endometriosis or pelvic surgery. As a result, sperm may not be able to reach your egg.


• Uterine Abnormalities
  If you have fibroids or polyps on your uterus, this can prevent you from being able to get pregnant.


• Cervical Conditions
  Certain women have a condition that prevents sperm from getting through the cervical canal and into the uterus.


• Unknown Reasons
  For other couples — about 20% — infertility can’t be explained by any logical medical reason.

During your consultation, your doctor will ask you questions about your health history, including questions about prior pregnancies and prior miscarriages, the regularity of your period, the presence of pelvic pain, whether you have had abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, and whether you have had a history of pelvic infection or previous pelvic surgery.

Your doctor will also perform a pelvic exam or request a pelvic ultrasound, a Pap test, and order blood tests to look at your overall health.

Whatever the cause of your conception challenges, your physician works with you to enhance your fertility based on your unique circumstances. Some screening and treatment methods may include:

• Male and female fertility testing
• Semen analysis
• Ovulation monitoring
• Genetic carrier screening

Your doctor may also conduct imaging to identify any anatomical irregularities, and they also run bloodwork to determine if there are hormonal imbalances that could be causing infertility.

If necessary, you may also get a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist or a fertility specialist.

The best defense against infertility is early planning. If you’re considering pregnancy, your doctor can offer preconception screening and counseling, which can help identify and address potential complications or causes of infertility.

Infertility treatment can feel like a long and arduous journey, but each step takes you closer to your desired goal of having a healthy and happy family.

Once your doctor diagnoses the cause of your fertility problems, the right treatment can take weeks or sometimes months to become effective. If you’re diligent with the testing and treatment process, however, it’s possible to conceive naturally and have a complication-free pregnancy.