Infertility

What is infertility?

Infertility is not being able to get pregnant after a year of trying. It might result from problems with the man, woman, or both. If you struggle to get pregnant and would like treatment to increase your chance of conceiving, the RGV Endocrine Center team is here for you.

What are the risk factors for infertility?

Infertility can happen to anybody, but certain factors increase your risk. Examples include older age, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, drinking alcohol, being underweight, having a gynecological condition in women, and decreased sperm production in men.

In one-third of cases, infertility results because of the woman. Another one-third of infertility cases happen because of the man. The other one-third occur because of both partners or from unknown causes.

Is infertility treatment right for me?

If you’d like to become pregnant and you’re willing to undergo infertility procedures, you’re a good candidate for treatment. Your endocrinologist reviews your medical history, completes a physical examination, and might recommend you undergo:

• Pelvic exam in women
• Blood tests
• Hormone testing
• Genetic testing
• Sperm analysis in men
• Ultrasound
• Other imaging procedures
• Biopsies
• Ovulation testing
• Laparoscopy

RGV Endocrine Center providers work to find the underlying cause of infertility and develop the most effective treatment plan.

What are my treatment options?

Your infertility treatment plan depends on the cause of infertility for you and your partner. RGV Endocrine Center specialists may suggest:

Lifestyle changes

Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, discontinuing certain medications, and not smoking or drinking alcohol can boost your chance of getting pregnant.

Infertility medications

Taking ovulation-stimulating medications can increase a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant. Fertility medicines for men can improve sperm count, production, and quality.

Intrauterine insemination

During intrauterine insemination (IUI), your provider places healthy sperm into a woman’s uterus when her ovaries release eggs.

Gynecological surgery

In women with gynecological problems, such as fibroids, endometriosis, or pelvic adhesions, laparoscopic surgery may help correct the problem to restore fertility.

In vitro fertilization

During in vitro fertilization (IVF), a specialist stimulates and retrieves multiple eggs from the woman, fertilizes them with sperm in a dish in a laboratory, and implants newly created embryos into the uterus several days later.

Don’t give up on becoming pregnant with your partner when numerous fertility treatments are available at RGV Endocrine Center. Book an appointment by calling the office to learn more.