Infertility - Renew Hormone Clinic

What is Infertility?

Infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant or carry a pregnancy to full term after 1 year of having unprotected sex. It affects an estimated 1 in 8 couples in the United States.

There are two main categories of infertility:

• Primary infertility refers to couples who have never been able to conceive.
• Secondary infertility refers to couples who have had at least one previous pregnancy, but are unable to conceive again.

What Causes Infertility?

There are many different causes of infertility in both men and women.

Common Causes in Women

• Ovulation disorders - problems with ovulation account for about 1/3 of female infertility cases. Issues can arise with the regulation of reproductive hormones or the maturity and release of eggs.
• Fallopian tube damage - scar tissue or blockage of the fallopian tubes can prevent the egg and sperm from uniting. Infection, previous surgery, or endometriosis may cause damage.
• Endometriosis - tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus, often affecting the function of the ovaries, uterus or fallopian tubes.
• Primary ovarian insufficiency - when the ovaries stop functioning normally before age 40.

Common Causes in Men

• Varicocele - enlarged veins in the scrotum can overheat the testicles and reduce sperm count.
• Infection - illnesses and infections can impair sperm production.
• Ejaculation issues - for instance, retrograde ejaculation when semen enters the bladder.
• Hormone imbalances - problems with hormones such as testosterone can disrupt production.

In 30-40% of cases, infertility occurs due to issues in both partners or the cause cannot be explained.

Diagnosing The Cause

An infertility workup typically involves examination of both partners. Diagnostic tests can evaluate ovulation, anatomy, egg quality, and sperm health.

Common tests include:

• Analyzing basal body temperature and cervical mucus to confirm ovulation
• Transvaginal ultrasound to examine the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes
• Hysterosalpingography (HSG test) which injects dye to view the uterus and tubes via X-ray
• Postcoital testing, which checks sperm viability after intercourse
• Semen analysis examining sperm count, morphology and motility

Understanding the underlying cause allows couples to explore treatment tailored to their situation. While coping with infertility is emotionally challenging, adopting an empathetic, hopeful and informed approach improves the chances of success. Most couples work closely with a reproductive endocrinologist (fertility specialist) who can outline the available pathways based on their test results and medical history.