Infertility

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant without success, the Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates team understands the stress and emotion of your situation. The team offers compassionate care with effective infertility treatment solutions to help you achieve your dream of starting a family. Reach out today by calling the friendly staff to book a consultation at the office nearest you in Marietta or Powder Springs, Georgia. You can also click on the convenient online scheduler to schedule an appointment when you’re ready.

What is infertility?

Infertility is a medical condition defined by the inability of being able to conceive a child after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. It affects all genders and can be a challenging and emotionally taxing experience for people hoping to start a family.

How is infertility diagnosed?

Diagnosing infertility usually involves a series of tests and evaluations to identify any underlying issues that may be affecting the ability to conceive. 

For women, this may include assessing ovulation through blood tests and ultrasound, evaluating the health of the uterus and fallopian tubes through imaging tests like hysterosalpingography or laparoscopy, and examining hormone levels. 

For men, your provider may perform a semen analysis to assess sperm count, motility, and morphology.

What causes infertility?

Many causes of infertility can affect either one or both partners. Some common causes include:

Ovulation disorders

Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hypothalamic dysfunction can disrupt normal ovulation.

Fallopian tube blockage

If you have blockages or damage in your fallopian tubes, sperm can struggle to reach the egg or hinder the fertilized egg from reaching the uterus for implantation.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can interfere with ovulation, fertilization, and implantation.

Male factor infertility

Low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm morphology can impair fertility.

Age-related factors

Both male and female fertility decline with age, with women experiencing a significant decrease in fertility after the age of 35.

How is infertility treated?

Infertility treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve various medical interventions, lifestyle changes, or assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Some common treatments include:

Medications

Your practitioner may prescribe fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation in women or improve sperm production and quality in men.

Surgery

You may need a surgical procedure to correct issues such as fallopian tube blockages, endometriosis, or varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum).

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

IUI involves your provider placing washed and concentrated sperm directly into your uterus while you’re ovulating to increase the chances of fertilization.

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

IVF involves your provider retrieving eggs from your ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory, and transferring the resulting embryos into your uterus.

If you’re struggling with infertility, call or book an appointment online with Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates today.