Infertility And Pregnancy Care Specialist

options like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization can be considered.

Does not being able to become pregnant mean a couple is infertile?

Not necessarily; there are many factors that contribute to conception. Infertility issues generally become a concern when a couple has been trying to become pregnant using unprotected sex for 12 consecutive months (or six consecutive months for women over 35 years of age) and has not conceived. Some people with certain risk factors for infertility may also need to be tested before the end of 12 months to determine if fertility treatments might be needed.

What are the causes of infertility?

Infertility can be caused for many reasons, some of which affect women and some of which affect men. In women, some of the most common causes include:

• The presence of large uterine fibroids or adhesions (scars)
• Problems with ovulation that interfere with the normal release of eggs
• Heavy mucus in the cervical opening to the uterus that makes it difficult for sperm to enter
• Abnormalities in the structure of the uterus, including a thin uterine lining that does not support implantation of a fertilized egg
• Endometriosis, an often painful condition that causes uterine lining tissue to grow outside the uterus
• Hormone-related issues like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Older age
• Obesity

For men, most infertility problems involve low sperm count, impaired motility of sperm or problems with the structure of sperm cells. Genetic issues and some medical treatments can also interfere with fertility for both women and men.

What is involved in infertility and pregnancy care?

Couples who are infertile have several options for improving their chances of pregnancy. Except where contraindicated, most couples begin their treatment with conservative approaches like taking fertility drugs or using treatments to improve the number or viability of sperm. When these methods prove ineffective,