More than 6 million women of childbearing age in the United States struggle with infertility. Though very common, infertility doesn’t mean you can’t have a baby. Infertility highly experienceds Mina Sinacori, MD, MPH, FACOG and M. Bruce Christopherson, MD, FACOG, at Memorial Women’s Specialists in Houston, Texas, take a personalized approach to care. They conduct thorough evaluations to determine the underlying cause of your infertility and develop a plan that increases your chances of conception. To schedule your infertility consultation, call or request an appointment online today.

What is infertility?

Infertility is the inability to conceive a baby after one year of trying, or six months for women 35 and older. Women who experience frequent miscarriages may also be struggling with infertility.

What causes infertility?

There are many steps that must occur in order to get pregnant. These steps include:

Release of an egg from the ovary (ovulation)
Travel of the egg down the fallopian tube
Fertilization of the egg by sperm
Implantation of the egg in the uterus

Infertility may occur if there is an issue that affects any one of these steps. For example, ovulation problems are a common issue that leads to infertility. This may be due to a gynecological issue such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS may only ovulate eight times a year.

Endometriosis is a gynecological condition that causes endometrial tissue to grow outside of the uterus. In addition to causing pelvic pain and heavy periods, the endometrial tissue may scar the fallopian tube, which affects the movement of the egg to the uterus.

Though women feel much of the blame when it comes to infertility, men also experience issues with infertility. A low sperm count or poor quality sperm may affect the fertilization of the egg and prevent pregnancy.

What happens during an infertility evaluation?

When you visit Memorial Women’s Specialists for an infertility evaluation you can expect a thorough exam. The goal of the evaluation is to find the root cause of your infertility so the women’s health highly experienceds can provide the best care to improve your chances of conception.

During your exam, your provider reviews your sexual and gynecological history, conducts a physical and pelvic exam, and runs bloodwork to check hormone levels.

An in-office ultrasound may also be requested to look for physical problems that may affect pregnancy.

Memorial Women’s Specialists also reviews your partner’s medical and family history and may request an evaluation of their sperm.

How is infertility treated?

Memorial Women’s Specialists creates individualized treatment plans for infertility based on the results of your exam. Your treatment plan may include tracking your ovulation and timing your intercourse to improve the chances of conception.

Your OB/GYN may prescribe medication that increases ovulation. They may also talk to you about intrauterine insemination, which involves the injection of specially prepared semen into your uterus during ovulation.

If you’re still struggling with pregnancy after implementing these methods, the team may talk to you about in vitro fertilization (IVF), where an egg is combined with sperm outside your body.

Infertility is common, but with the right care and attention, you can get pregnant. Call Memorial Women’s Specialists or book your infertility evaluation online today.