Infertility means being unable to conceive a baby. Traditionally, doctors diagnose infertility when a couple unsuccessfully tries to conceive for 12 months without using birth control.
If you're 35 or older, an infertility diagnosis requires six months of trying to conceive without using birth control.
You must ovulate (release mature eggs from your ovaries) to get pregnant, and, in most cases of infertility, there's a problem with ovulation.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and primary ovarian insufficiency are both leading causes of ovulation problems. Some less common reasons for female infertility include fallopian tube blockages from endometriosis or other causes, uterine abnormalities, and uterine fibroids.
In men, infertility generally happens because of sperm cell quality or function issues.
Along with these root causes of infertility, factors like age, health problems, and lifestyle choices such as smoking can all play a role.
In some cases, there's no clear-cut answer as to why infertility occurs.
During your infertility assessment at Innovative Women's Care, Dr. Brathwaite may perform many different tests to evaluate your infertility and determine its underlying cause. Some common tests include:
Dr. Brathwaite may also ask you to keep track of your basal body temperature (your temperature at rest) over a period of time at home. That can be helpful because your temperature increases when you’re ovulating.
Depending upon the results of your assessment, you may need additional procedures, such as a hysteroscopy or laparoscopy so Dr. Brathwaite can view your uterus and other pelvic organs up close.
Dr. Brathwaite also discusses your habits, medications, and lifestyle with you in detail before determining the issues hampering your fertility and designing a treatment plan for you.
Infertility treatment can include a very wide range of options, including:
If these methods of infertility treatment fail, there are still other paths to parenthood, including surrogacy and adoption. Dr. Brathwaite is happy to explain all the options to you and support you as you make the choice that fits your needs and goals the best.
For infertility care from an insightful and caring OB/GYN, call Innovative Women’s Care or click the online booking link.