Female Infertility Care
In the United States, among married women aged 15 to 49 years with no prior births, about 1 in 5 (19%) are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying (infertility). Also, about 1 in 4 (26%) women in this group have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term (impaired fecundity). (Center for Disease Control & Prevention, 2022). About 50% of the time, these issues are female related and treated by the OBGYN and/or the endocrinologist.
In the past, insurance companies mandated that young couples required trying to conceive for one year with any protection before seeking medical fertility care. Current wisdom suggests that it is reasonable to seek medical evaluation at any time. Especially if concerns exist such as age (female > 35 years old), medical conditions, abnormal menses and abnormal anatomy (e.g uterine fibroids).
Both partners are extremely important in the diagnosis and treatment process. There are four basic questions that must be answered before starting treatment.
- Is there sperm? (good quality, motion, etc). Comprehensive sperm analysis.
- Are there eggs (performed by a blood test on day 2-4 of the women’s cycle).
- Can the sperm and egg meet or can things be done to make them meet. (Bubble test or HSG (hysterosongram).
- Once the sperm and egg have met an embryo is usually formed. Is there a safe place in the uterus for that embryo to grow? (Ultrasound with saline contrast ruling out interfering polyps or fibroids.
These questions should be answered before wasting money on a treatment that may not work. The Fertility Center of California is happy to assist in your journey toward increasing your family.
