Unexplained infertility might result from various medical or lifestyle factors. Qualified fertility specialists help you identify common causes, such as progesterone resistance, endometritis, and endometriosis. Specialized tests help identify conditions like an inflamed uterine lining that causes asymptomatic endometriosis. Here are some practical steps to take after experiencing unexplained infertility:
1. Find Support
Consulting a fertility specialist helps determine suitable treatment. Skilled fertility doctors account for unique factors like recurring pregnancy loss when recommending beneficial treatment options. They may conduct different tests, including hormonal screening, semen analysis, uterine cavity assessment, and ultrasound imaging, to establish the underlying causes of unexplained infertility.
Support groups and online communities may offer encouragement and guidance as couples pursue treatment for unexplained infertility. Connecting with couples who share similar experiences can help individuals navigate an uncertain timeline or treatment options. Couples can share tips or strategies for effective treatment or ways to manage the infertility issue. Sharing infertility diagnoses with close family and friends may also provide additional support.
2. Use Ovarian Stimulation
In ovarian stimulation, the ovaries are stimulated through the regulated administration of hormone doses. Ovarian stimulation triggers the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This hormone stimulates the development of follicles during a woman’s menstrual cycle. It works by maintaining high levels of FSH in a patient, which encourages the ovaries to release a higher number of mature eggs. This helps improve the likelihood of an egg being fertilized and implanted in the uterus, leading to a healthy pregnancy. Ovarian stimulation also involves administering a dose of human chorionic gonadotropin that stimulates ovulation. This triggers an increase in luteinizing hormone, which in turn causes ovulation.
3. Use Intrauterine Insemination
In intrauterine insemination (IUI), sperm is placed directly in the uterus, increasing the likelihood of fertilization. This may be an effective initial treatment for infertility. Having the treatment performed during the natural ovulation cycle can help improve the success rate. Some infertility specialists merge IUI with ovarian stimulation for higher chances of successful treatment.
4. Use In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments may help increase your chances of a successful pregnancy. The therapy involves retrieving mature eggs from the ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory setting. The fertilized eggs are then placed in the uterus, where the baby develops. With IVF, couples can use their own eggs and sperm, or they may use embryos created from donor eggs and sperm. Like with IUI, ovarian stimulation enhances the success of IVF fertility treatment. This enables the ovaries to produce many mature eggs for extraction and fertilization.
5. Do Further Tests
Additional tests can help determine the causes of infertility. Some tests identify:
- Endometriosis: A disease that causes uterine tissue to grow outside the uterus, leading to severe pain and potentially impacting pregnancy
- Progesterone resistance: The body struggles to respond to the progesterone hormone, which affects how the uterine lining thickens during pregnancy
- Endometritis: A short- or long-term infection of the uterine lining that causes pelvic pain, abdominal swelling, and abnormal bleeding
Advanced tests that use BCL6 markers help identify inflammation in the uterine lining, which is linked to silent endometriosis. The marker may also help identify progesterone resistance that can be a cause of recurring pregnancy loss and implantation failure. Other tests prioritize the CD138 marker that helps diagnose endometritis.
These test results allow fertility specialists to recommend treatment options that address progesterone resistance or undesirable uterine lining changes. Patients with positive BCL6 and CD138 markers can find successful treatment options, such as surgical laparoscopy for removing excess tissue caused by endometritis. Hormonal suppression therapy may help reduce inflammation caused by endometritis, stabilizing the uterus for embryo growth. Progesterone resistance is usually treated by targeting and altering genetic pathways that respond to hormonal signals.
Diagnose Unexplained Infertility Today
After being diagnosed with unexplained infertility, couples can assess further treatment options like IUI or IVF treatment. Knowing the cause of unexpected infertility helps you pursue effective treatment, leading to a successful pregnancy. Testing for conditions like silent endometriosis can help identify the root causes of infertility, leading to targeted treatments. Over time, this can increase your chances of a successful pregnancy. Contact fertility specialists today to learn more about the practical steps to take after experiencing unexplained infertility.