What is fertility?

For pregnancy to occur, all of the following steps must happen:

• A woman ovulates, releasing an egg from one of her ovaries.
• The egg travels through a fallopian tube to reach the uterus.
• A man’s sperm fertilizes the egg along the way.
• The fertilized egg implants inside the uterus.

Infertility can happen if there are problems with any of the steps necessary to conceive. Roughly 1 in 10 women find it hard to become or remain pregnant.

Men also have problems with fertility. Men are the reason for infertility 15-20% of the time when a couple isn’t conceiving.

Why am I having fertility problems?

Fertility problems are caused by a range of factors. Age is one of the most common reasons. As you enter your early 30s and on into your 40s, your fertility declines. Other causes include:

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)
• Blocked fallopian tubes

Other less common reasons for infertility include early menopause or uterine fibroids, which are growths on or in your uterus.

How is infertility diagnosed?

You and your partner will receive a fertility workup from your provider at Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare. Men and women undergo different tests. Women typically have blood tests to check hormone levels. Men usually provide a semen sample to test the quantity, shape, and movement of the sperm. This test determines whether there are enough healthy, active sperm to fertilize an egg.

How is infertility treated?

Your provider at Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare creates a treatment plan based on your personal situation, such as your age, the amount of time you’ve been trying to conceive, and the cause of your infertility.

For example, you may benefit from:

• Ovulation induction: Using fertility medications, such as Clomid, to stimulate ovulation
• hCG injections: Injections to stimulate ovulation

Your doctor walks you through the benefits and drawbacks of these options and answers all of your questions. Because each infertility treatment comes with varying success rates, you’ll want to carefully consider which option is best for you.

If your provider suspects your fallopian tubes are blocked, they often recommend hysterosalpingography (HSG). HSG is an outpatient procedure that uses X-ray and a special contrast dye to view your fallopian tubes and uterus.

HSG shows whether your fallopian tubes are partially or fully blocked. The test also shows whether your uterus is of normal size and shape.

If you’ve been trying to start or add to your family for six months without success, get the answers you deserve today. Call Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare or book a consultation online.