85% of all couples are expected to achieve pregnancy within 12 to 18 months of unprotected intercourse. In other words, 15% of couples remain unsuccessful in their attempt at achieving their goal of pregnancy and are thus labeled as infertile couples.
There are numerous causes for infertility. Approximately 40% of infertility is the result of female factors and 40% is due solely to male factors. This leaves 20% of couples that have both female and male problems that need to be addressed. Carrying out a thorough work up, the causes of infertility can usually be well defined within several menstrual cycles.
The primary female issues involve problems with ovulation and distortion of the normal female pelvic anatomy. Some females just do not ovulate (release an egg) on a regular basis and the specific reason for this problem cannot always be clarified. It could be due to continued suppression after birth control therapy. Ovulatory problems are sometimes related to various hormonal issues such as an underactive thyroid or the condition of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Female pelvic anatomy problems are often due to such things as endometriosis, but can also develop after prior pelvic surgery or a pelvic infection.
Male infertility demonstrates itself with poor parameters in the semen analysis. Most often, the causes of male fertility problems cannot be defined. Occasionally, a varicocele, (varicose vein of the testicle) is a contributing factor. Rarely, medications or hormonal disorders can result in male infertility.
At Women's Clinic, Ltd. a full array of testing is available to be carried out on both females and males to fully evaluate the couple having trouble achieving pregnancy. Additionally, a full range of treatment services is available through the practitioners of Women's Clinic, Ltd. This includes both simple ovulation induction with medication in pill form and the more complex use of injectable stimulation. Corrective pelvic surgery is sometimes required and all modalities of this treatment are available through Women's Clinic, Ltd., including advanced operative laparoscopy and hysteroscopy and microsurgery along with robotic surgery. Sperm inseminations with partner and donor specimens are available if needed. Women's Clinic, Ltd. has an extremely successful In Vitro Fertilization program with all of the related procedures such as Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) and Embryo Freezing. Our IVF success rates have been well above the national figures for quite some time.
The practitioners of Women's Clinic, Ltd. will be quite pleased to initiate an efficient infertility work up and recommend appropriate, individualized therapy as needed.
For more information on IVF or infertility at Women's Clinic Ltd., please consult our website at infertilitypa.com or call (610) 374-2214 ext. 3071. |
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