A global estimation of about 186 million people of reproductive age are affected by infertility; America accounts for 6 million. Drs. Sinacori Mina, MD, MPH, FACOG, Christopher Bruce, MD, FACOG, and Spoo Lauren, MD, offer Houston Infertility healthcare services for change.
At Memorial Women’s Specialists, Texas, healthcare encompasses the diagnosis and individualized therapeutic plans on determining underlying reasons for your infertility. Call the office in Texas or book an appointment via the online tool today and have your condition addressed.
Understanding Infertility
It is a female or male reproductive system disease related to incapability to conceive after more than a year’s regular unprotected sexual contact. In men, infertility occurs due to inadequate or no sperm, challenges in semen ejection, motility, and morphology of the sperm. Females encounter several abnormalities of the uterus, ovaries, endocrine system, and fallopian tubes resulting in conception limitations.
It can manifest either as primary or secondary infertility. In primary infertility, an individual is considered never to have conceived, while in secondary infertility, a person conceived before the condition.
Causes of Infertility
Though sometimes it is not possible to evaluate the reason for infertility, here are several factors in males and females that could cause it:
- Inflammatory uterine disorders like endometriosis.
- Unattended sexually transmitted infections, postpartum sepsis, unsafe abortions, or abdominal surgery lead to complications like fallopian tube blocking.
- Reproductive hormonal imbalances result from endocrine system disorders such as hypopituitarism.
- Ovarian disorders, for example, polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Generally, experiencing problems with your ovulation, movement of the ovum down the fallopian tube, and its fertilization or implantation in the womb cause infertility.
In the male, the condition is brought by:
- Failure of the testicles to produce sperms like in varicoceles.
- Abnormal sperm quality and function, affecting motility and shape, especially if you are using anabolic steroids.
- Genicular tract infections or injuries can cause reproductive tract obstruction leading to dysfunctionalities.
- Abnormalities in the testicles, pituitary glands, and hypothalamus cause hormonal disorders leading to complications like testicular cancers.
Diagnosis of Infertility
At Memorial Women’s Specialists, we inquire about your sexual habits, medical and gynecological history. A physical exam is done to help make viable recommendations to enhance your chances of conceiving. The tests include ascertaining that your ovaries can release eggs, blood analysis for hormonal levels, an ultrasound or X-ray for checking the fallopian tubes and uterus.
Men’s tests include a physical exam and a sperm analysis to determine sperm health.
Infertility Treatment
A treatment plan is designed based on test results. Therefore, your OB/GYN may recommend hormones and fertility drugs to improve ovulation and restore hormonal levels. Other procedures like intrauterine inseminations involving washed and concentrated sperms are done directly in your uterus when you are about to ovulate.
In persisting conditions, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is applied. During the procedure, your ovum and spouse’s sperm are collected and fused in the laboratory. The fertilized egg grows for about five days then the embryo is placed safely in your uterus.
Please take advantage of our highly trained healthcare personnel and the presence of the necessary equipment at our disposal. Make a consultation call or book an appointment online today, and let us help you combat infertility.
