Fertility issues affect roughly 10% of women in the United States, and after months of not getting pregnant, you and your partner might start to feel emotionally spent. Fortunately, the team at Commonwealth OB-GYN in Brookline Village, Brookline, Massachusetts, offers compassionate and expert evaluation, diagnosis and treatment options for infertility to help you successfully conceive and carry a healthy baby. If you are struggling to become pregnant, call to schedule an appointment today.

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What is infertility?

Infertility is a unique medical condition because it involves a couple, rather than a single individual. It is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of regular intercourse without the use of contraception in women less than 35 years of age and after six months of regular intercourse without the use of contraception in women 35 years and older.

What causes infertility?

Some causes of infertility are easily identifiable.  However, there are many cases where the circumstances are less clear and may involve concerns for one or both partners.  About a third of cases have no identifiable cause at all.

Women’s fertility issues are caused by:

  • Ovulation disorders
  • Abnormalities in the uterus
  • Damaged fallopian tubes
  • Endometriosis
  • Ovarian insufficiency
  • Scar tissue on the reproductive organs

Men’s fertility problems include:

  • Abnormal sperm function
  • Low levels of sperm production
  • Overexposure to environmental factors
  • Damage to the reproductive organs

When should I see a doctor about fertility problems?

If you are struggling to get pregnant, talk to a fertility expert and have fertility work-up. Once you know the cause of your infertility, you can take steps to address the issue and conceive.

What testing will be performed?

The following tests are useful for most couples with infertility:

  • Semen analysis to assess male factors
  • Menstrual history, assessment of luteinizing hormone surge in urine prior to ovulation, and/or luteal phase progesterone level to assess ovulatory function
  • Hysterosalpingogram or sonohysterogram with a test of tubal patency such as hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography to assess tubal patency and the uterine cavity
  • Assessment of ovarian reserve with day three serum follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels, anti-Müllerian hormone, and/or antral follicle count
  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Call today to schedule an evaluation and find out your treatment options.