Female Infertility Treatment

The female evaluation will include a number of diagnostic tests as well as a complete physical evaluation. Hormone imbalances, irregular ovulation, sperm antibodies, scarring, or endometriosis are only a few of the problems women may experience. There are several problems that are usually treatable using traditional fertility treatments.

Ovulation Problems

Infrequent or irregular ovulation is usually caused by one or more of the following factors:

Pituitary dysfunction

occurs when the pituitary gland does not secrete the right amount of FSH and LH hormones.

Polycystic ovaries

occurs when the ovaries develop a series of small cysts and fail to produce mature eggs.

Luteal phase dysfunction

the body does not produce enough progesterone and the uterine lining is not able to sustain a fertilized egg.

Premature menopause

menstrual periods cease at an early age secondary to early loss of ovarian function.

Treatments

Treatments for these problems usually include hormone therapy. Some common examples of this therapy are:

Clomiphene

Taken in pill form, this medication stimulates ovulation. Possible side effects may include ovarian cysts, hot flashes, blurred vision, and an increased chance of having twins.

Bromocriptine

Taken in pill form, this medication reduces production of prolactin. Side effects include nausea, dizziness, low blood pressure, and headache.

Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG)

Taken by injection this increases the FSH and LH which stimulates ovulation. Side effects include an increased chance of multiple births and a small risk of ovary enlargement.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Taken by injection this increases the supply of FSH to help stimulate follicle development and ovulation. Side effects include an increased chance of multiple births and a small risk of ovary enlargement.

Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG)

Taken by injection, this triggers ovulation. If taken in conjunction with hMG, this may cause ovary enlargement.

Other Problems

Problems that may require more extensive treatment can include:

Lack of cervical mucus

Some women may not have enough cervical mucus to allow for the passage of sperm into the cervix. Treatment for this condition may include estrogen or intrauterine insemination.

Sperm antibodies

Sometimes sperm antibodies are present in the cervix which destroy the sperm. In vitro fertilization may be required.

Adhesions

Sometimes scar tissue that results from disease or infection may damage or block the fallopian tubes. If there is not extensive damage, then surgical treatment may be used to remove the blockage. Adhesions may also occur inside the uterus which may effect the implantation of a fertilized egg. This problem is often treated with hystereoscoptic surgery.

Tubal sterilization

If sterilization took place within the recent past, reversal is often possible. See Women's Health.

Mucus plug

In some cases, a mucus plug forms which blocks a fallopian tube. A thin catheter can be inserted through the cervix to unblock the tube.

Fibroid tumors

These noncancerous growths which occasionally grow in and around the uterus may be removed by abdominal or hystereoscopic surgery. See Women's Health.

Endometriosis

Scarring from this disease may cause fertility problems. Laparoscopic surgery or hormone therapy may be used to treat this condition. See Women's Health.