Infertility

Infertility is the inability to get pregnant after having regular intercourse without using birth control for a year. 

Though women often carry the burden of guilt when they’re unable to get pregnant, infertility affects men too. When struggling to conceive, you and your partner should both have an infertility evaluation. 

It’s recommended women 35 and older schedule an infertility evaluation if they’re unable to get pregnant after six months of trying. 

Problems with ovulation is the most common cause of infertility in women. Ovulation is when your ovaries release a mature egg into the fallopian tube, where it waits to meet up with a sperm for fertilization.

If you have an irregular menstrual cycle, you may have problems with ovulation. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that may affect your overall health. PCOS is a common cause of infertility in women.

Structural problems that affect the reproductive organs may also make it harder to conceive. Women with endometriosis may have scarring on the fallopian tubes that prevents the egg and sperm from meeting. 

The team at Federal Way Women’s Health Care conducts a thorough exam when you come in for an infertility evaluation. They want to understand the cause of your infertility so they can provide the best treatment possible.

Your provider reviews your menstrual cycle, gynecological history, and medical history. They perform a physical and pelvic exam and run lab work to check hormone levels and screen for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

The team may also perform an ultrasound to evaluate your reproductive organs to look for structural abnormalities.

In some cases, the cause of infertility remains unknown. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t conceive.

The team at Federal Way Women’s Health Care customizes your infertility treatment plan based on the underlying cause. Treatment might include:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight
• Smoking cessation
• Using medication to stimulate ovulation
• Undergoing surgery to address any structural issues

If you continue to struggle with infertility after trying conservative methods, the team may recommend intrauterine insemination (IUI), injecting sperm into the uterus as close to ovulation as possible, or assisted reproductive technology (ART) like in vitro fertilization (IVF).

For comprehensive infertility care, call Federal Way Women’s Health Care or schedule an appointment online today.