Skip to main content

What is the First Step in Fertility Treatment?

|

Millions of people find that once they have made the decision to have a baby, getting pregnant doesn’t happen as easily as they hoped. Infertility refers to being unable to get pregnant after at least a year of unprotected sex. Fertility treatment provides options that allow many people to realize their dreams of having a baby. What is the first step in fertility treatment?

Acknowledging that there’s a problem and deciding to seek treatment is the first step you need to take, and that can take a lot of courage. The knowledgeable and compassionate team at the Center for Reproductive Health provides empathic support and guidance throughout the process.

Determining the Cause

There are many possible causes of infertility, and treatment begins with working toward finding out why having a baby hasn’t been easy for you. At your initial consultation, your fertility specialist reviews your medical history and family history with you and schedules tests that can help diagnose the cause of infertility. Some tests that may be ordered include:

  • Blood tests to analyze reproductive hormone levels and to uncover other factors that could be impacting fertility
  • Ovarian function tests
  • Cervical mucus test
  • Semen analysis to evaluate the concentration and mobility of sperm
  • Genetic testing

Both partners have a physical exam. An ultrasound may be scheduled to evaluate reproductive anatomy. Not everyone needs all of the available tests. Your fertility doctor determines which tests are indicated for you. 

Discussing the Results

A follow-up appointment is scheduled to discuss the results of your tests once they have been completed and to create a treatment plan that’s likely to have the best possible results for you. Your fertility specialist explains what to expect from treatment including possible side effects and the likelihood of attaining a successful pregnancy.

Sometimes only one partner needs treatment and other times, the treatment plan involves both partners. Medications may be prescribed to correct hormone imbalances or to stimulate ovulation, and minor surgical procedures are sometimes recommended.

Two of the most common fertility treatment options are intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). In IUI, healthy sperm are inserted into the uterus during ovulation. In IVF, eggs are harvested from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a lab. Several days after fertilization, one or more embryos are inserted into your uterus by your fertility doctor.

Embryos that aren’t used at this time may be frozen for future use. If the cause of your infertility is related to your eggs or your partner’s sperm, donor eggs, sperm or embryos from an anonymous donor may be used. 

Lifestyle changes may be recommended to improve your chance of getting pregnant. This may include losing weight, quitting smoking, and adding regular exercise to your daily routine.

Many couples who have fertility treatment are able to go on to have healthy pregnancies. However, some couples experience miscarriages or are unable to get pregnant even with expert fertility treatment. 

The good news is that progress is constantly being made in the field of assisted reproductive technology. The Center for Reproductive Health is a global pioneer in fertility treatment and research and has proven high success rates. Contact us today to find out more or to schedule a consultation.

See Dr. Mor’s Publications

Eliran Mor, MD

Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Santa Monica, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA
Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA Doctor Mor received his medical degree from Tel Aviv University-Sackler School of Medicine in Israel. He completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Subsequently, Dr. Mor completed a three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility […]
Read More

FAQ

What does a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist do?

Reproductive endocrinology and Infertility is a sub-specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition to managing medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the female reproductive tract, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility (REI) specialists undergo additional years of training to provide fertility treatments using assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization.

Reproductive endocrinologists receive board certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

When should I see an REI specialist?

In general, patients should consider consulting with an REI specialist after one year of trying unsuccessfully to achieve pregnancy. The chance of conceiving every month is around 20%, therefore after a full year of trying approximately 15% of couples will still not have achieved a pregnancy.

However, if a woman is over the age of 35 it would be reasonable to see a fertility specialist earlier, typically after 6 months of trying.

Other candidates to seek earlier treatment are women who have irregular menses, endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), women who have had 2 or more miscarriages, or problems with the fallopian tubes (prior ectopic pregnancy).

What are the reasons we are having trouble conceiving?

Approximately 1/3 of the time cause for infertility is a female factor, 1/3 of the time a male factor, and the remaining 1/3 a couples’ factor.

At CCRH, we emphasize the importance of establishing a correct diagnosis. Both partners undergo a comprehensive evaluation including a medical history and physical exam.

Furthremore, the woman’s ovarian reserve is assessed with a pelvic ultrasound and a hormonal profile. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) will confirm fallopian tube patency and the uterine cavity is free of intracavitary lesions. A semen analysis is also obtained to evaluate for concentration, motility, and morphology of the sperm.

Additional work up is then individualized to direct the best possible treatment option for each couple.

What is IVF? What is the process like?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process that involves fertilization of an egg outside of a woman’s body.

The process starts with fertility drugs prescribed to help stimulate egg development. In your natural cycle, your body is only able to grow one dominant egg, but with stimulation medication we can recruit multiple eggs to continue to grow. After about 8-10 days of stimulation, the eggs are surgically retrieved and then fertilized with sperm in a specialized laboratory. Fertilized eggs are then cultured under a strictly controlled environment within specialized incubators in the IVF laboratory for 3-5 days while they develop as embryos. Finally, embryos (or an embryo) are transferred into the uterine cavity for implantation.

Should I have IVF?

Before deciding if IVF is the right choice, it’s important to sit down with an REI specialist to discuss available treatment options. For some people, other methods such as fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be the best first choice treatment. At CCRH, we believe each individual couple is unique and not everyone needs IVF.

Is the IVF procedure painful?

While not painful, the fertility medications may some side effects including headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and bloating. The injection sites may also bruise.

Will IVF guarantee a baby?

Unfortunately, no. Many people think once they start IVF it’s a matter of time that they will be pregnant and have a baby. But according to national statistics per the Society of Assisted Reproduction (SART), on average 40% of assisted reproduction cycles achieve live births in women under age 35. The chances of success then continue to decrease with advancing age.

At CCRH, we employ only evidence-based interventions to ensure patient safety and optimal outcome. While we cannot guarantee a baby, we guarantee that you will receive the best, most advanced, personalized care to help you maximize your chance of a baby.

What is the success rate for IVF?

The average IVF success rate (success measured in live birth rate) using one’s own eggs begins to drop around age 35 and then rapidly after age 40. This is due to the decline in egg quantity and egg quality as a woman ages.

Our clinic’s success rate consistently beats the national average year after year.

Do insurance plans cover infertility treatment? How much does IVF cost?

Individual insurance plans often do not have any coverage for infertility treatments. If you have a group plan, you can call members services to see if they have coverage for infertility (including consultation/workup and IVF).

After your consultation with our REI specialist, one of our dedicated account managers with sit with you to go over the cost of treatment.

You May Also Like