What does infertility mean?
Infertility is when you haven't been able to get pregnant, even though you've been trying consistently to conceive for at least one year. In the United States, 10-Ten15% of couples experience infertility. Fortunately, many safe and effective therapies can help your chances of becoming pregnant.
What causes infertility?
Infertility can result from a combination of things. In order to become pregnant, you need functioning ovaries, fallopian tubes, and a uterus. If any of these body parts are affected or not working properly, they can contribute to infertility.
Men can have issues that lead to infertility as well. Sometimes the issues that cause infertility are present at birth and sometimes they develop later in life.
Factors that might decrease your chances of fertility include:
- Age: Fertility drops after you turn 37
- Ovulation disorders
- Uterine or cervical abnormalities
- Endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease
- Fallopian tube damage
- Primary ovarian insufficiency (early menopause)
- Pelvic adhesions
- Cancer and its treatment
How is infertility diagnosed?
Dr. Diesfeld performs an extensive, comprehensive workup, including an in-depth discussion about your medical history. His physical exam involves a transvaginal ultrasound, as well as blood work.
The physical exam and ultrasound can check for tubal and pelvic disease as well as cervical issues. He might also do an evaluation of your uterus. Dr. Diesfeld focuses on issues like whether or not you’re ovulating and any undiagnosed abnormalities in your fallopian tubes or uterus. These abnormalities could be polyps, fibroids, or scarring from pelvic inflammatory disease.
If you are having troubles becoming pregnant, call Women’s Health Partnership Medical Group or schedule an appointment online.
Click here to view an article Dr. Diesfeld wrote about fertility.
