What is infertility?
Simply put, it is the inability to get pregnant after trying for one full year. When you think about it, conception is a complicated process.
Pregnancy depends on healthy sperm by the man, healthy eggs by the woman, unblocked fallopian tubes for the sperm to reach the egg, the sperm's ability to fertilize the egg, and the implantation of the normal, fertilized egg in the uterus.
Even when that all happens, the embryo must be healthy and the woman's hormonal environment favorable for its development. If any part of the process is affected, infertility can result.
At Women's Care, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. We are dedicated to providing personalized treatment with the goal of taking your dreams of having a baby and turning them into reality. We have three Fertility Specialists:
Dr. Allison Brubaker
Dr. Amanda Reed
Dr. Sara Swift
About 6.1 million couples in the United States are affected by fertility problems. It affects men and women equally. The most common cause of female infertility is a problem with ovulation. The most common cause of male infertility is problems with sperm cells and how they function. Some other factors may include:
Fertility Problems in the Woman
- Ovulation disorder
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- Abnormal structure of the uterus
- Uterine fibroids
- Hormonal imbalance
Fertility Problems in the Man
- No sperm cells formed
- Few sperm cells
- Malformed sperm cells that die before they can reach the egg
Age, lifestyle, and health conditions are other factors that may affect your fertility. Sometimes, a cause is found. And yet sometimes, no cause is found. Fertility problems can also happen to couples who’ve already conceived and previously had a baby. This is called secondary infertility.
Your treatment options will depend on the type of problem found. Lifestyle changes, timed intercourse, medication, procedures/surgery, or combinations of all may be necessary.
Dealing with fertility problems is hard. Please know... you are not alone! If you are struggling to become pregnant, the first step is to give us a call. Our Fertility Specialists work with a team of nurses dedicated to you. We will be there to walk you through every step of the process — from scheduling appointments to planning the next steps — we are here for you!
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