What is Infertility?
Infertility is generally defined as a failure to achieve pregnancy within 6-12 months of trying to conceive, though this can vary depending on each patient. For women aged 35 and older, or with other medical problems, this window is shortened to 6 months. Infertility affects about 15% of couples due to a variety of reasons including decreased or impaired ovarian function, blocked fallopian tubes, history of pelvic infections, abnormal uterine anatomy, or abnormal sperm in one’s reproductive partner. Many times, however, it is unexplained.
Why is Infertility Important?
In some cases, infertility is caused by things that might also affect your overall health, so it’s important to determine the causes for both your sake and your child’s. Additionally, your child’s health might be affected by certain causes of infertility so your gynecologist can direct you to the right experts if your pregnancy becomes high-risk.
How Can My Gynecologist Help?
If you’ve been trying to conceive for 6-12 months without becoming pregnant, you should make an appointment with your gynecologist. This typically begins with a complete history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. We will also review your menstrual calendar to ensure that you’ve been having intercourse at the right time each month to increase your chances of getting pregnant. We can then recommend a variety of tests and a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist (REI). Effective testing usually includes addressing different factors that both you and your partner might be experiencing.
For Men
Male factor infertility is typically related to problems with sperm, such as a low count, slow movement, or abnormal appearance. All of these issues can be evaluated with a test called a semen analysis, where a semen sample is viewed under a microscope. We generally refer you to an REI for this, as they perform this test directly in their own laboratory.
For Women
Female causes of infertility are much broader. Testing usually begins with blood tests to check hormone levels and thyroid function. A specialized imaging test called a hysterosalpingogram, or HSG, may also be done. During this test, a radiologist puts dye through the cervix into the uterus and fallopian tubes, which lets us see that the fallopian tubes are open. This also lets us see if the shape of the womb is abnormal. For insurance reasons, you may need this test ordered by an REI.
Based on all of these findings, your REI will make recommendations and provide treatments for infertility. Once you are pregnant, your gynecologist can recommend your next steps to ensure a healthy, successful pregnancy.
How Can Infertility Be Treated?
Depending on the results of your initial workup, additional testing or procedures may be your best options. Alternatively, certain medications can sometimes be prescribed to help optimize your chances of achieving pregnancy. Ultimately, you may be referred to a specialist in the field for further management. REIs are trained in special methods of achieving pregnancy, including the use of hormonal medications, intrauterine insemination, or in vitro fertilization. Each of these topics can be discussed with your gynecologist who can recommend whether you might benefit from specialized care.
Schedule an Appointment
Infertility can be a long and difficult journey, but our expert team can help. To learn more about your options and get started, contact our New York City office by calling or filling out our online form.
Frequently Asked Questions about Infertility
Can allergies cause infertility?
Seasonal, chronic, or other allergies have not been shown to influence the fertility rate of women.
How can a woman tell if she is infertile?
The main symptom of infertility is the inability to get pregnant. Other symptoms of infertility may be a menstrual cycle that is too long, too short, irregular, or absent.
How can I boost my fertility?
There are a number of ways to boost fertility, including eating foods rich in antioxidants, taking multivitamins, exercising regularly, reducing stress levels, and avoiding excess alcohol consumption. If you are struggling with fertility issues, seeking the advice of a gynecologist may be helpful.
Can a man be infertile?
Men can be infertile due to low sperm production, abnormal sperm function, illness or injury, and other factors. 40% of all infertility will be male-factor related.
How can a man tell if he is fertile?
The best way to determine if a man is fertile is through a sperm and semen analysis. At Carnegie Women’s Health, we generally refer men to a reproductive endocrinologist for this test, as they perform it directly in their own laboratory.
What age does a woman stop being fertile?
A woman’s peak reproductive years are between their late teens and late 20s. Fertility begins to decline by age 30, and by 45, many women’s fertility has significantly declined. Once menopause occurs, a woman is no longer fertile.
What are the chances of a woman being infertile?
According to the CDC, 8.5% of married women ages 15 to 49 were infertile between 2015 and 2019 (about 2.4 million women). A variety of different factors can cause infertility; if you are concerned regarding fertility, please discuss it with your OB/GYN.
How is infertility defined?
Infertility is generally defined as a failure to achieve pregnancy within 6-12 months of trying to conceive, though this can vary depending on each patient.
What is the best fertility drug to get pregnant?
Clomiphene, or Clomid, is a popular drug used to trigger ovulation in women who have trouble becoming pregnant.
Can UTI cause infertility in females?
A UTI alone will not cause infertility in women. However, it can increase the risk of infertility if it affects the upper urinary tract, such as the kidneys, fallopian tubes, and uterus. UTIs may also be linked to infertility if it causes pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can damage the fallopian tubes.
How can a woman become infertile?
Infertility in females can be caused by many factors, including ovulation problems, structural problems, egg maturation failure, implantation failure, and lifestyle and environmental factors. If you are concerned regarding your fertility, speak with your OB/GYN today.
How do you test for sperm fertility?
Men can test for sperm fertility through a semen analysis. This will measure the shape, number, and movement of sperm in a semen sample.
What is the modern fertility test?
Modern fertility tests are home fertility test kits that use urine, saliva, and blood samples to monitor hormones, predict ovulation, and detect pregnancy.