Your treatment options will depend on the type of problem found during your evaluation. Generally speaking, recommendations may include lifestyle changes, surgery, and/or medication. In some cases, infertility can be successfully treated even if no cause is found. 

Dr. Worley and Dr. Silva may first recommend certain lifestyle changes to help boost your fertility including:

• fertility tracking
• timed intercourse
• proper nutrition
• weight loss/gain
• changes to your exercise regimen
• stress management
• smoking cessation
• avoidance of drugs
• limiting use of caffeine and alcohol

In women, sometimes the pelvic organs contain endometriosis or there is a benign polyp, fibroid, or scar tissue in the uterus which prevents pregnancy.  Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (including hysteroscopy and laparoscopy) can often correct problems that may be interfering with your fertility.

Abnormal levels of certain hormones can cause problems with ovulation. Our physicians may check for these problems and, if a hormone problem is found, treatment can often correct the issue and lead to normal ovulation. 

The process of intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves placing healthy/concentrated sperm directly into your uterus around the time of ovulation.  Sperm may come from a woman’s partner or a donor. IUI can be combined with ovulation induction and offers about a 10% chance of pregnancy per cycle. If our physicians determine that you would benefit from IUI, they will refer you to a trusted specialist for the sperm prep and you may have the IUI in our office or theirs. 

Ovulation induction refers to the process of taking medications (oral or injection) to stimulate the ovaries to prepare follicles and ensure ovulation. These are the main treatment for women who are infertile because of ovulation disorders.  Our physicians typically combine ovulation induction with ultrasound and timed intercourse to increase the chances of conception that month.

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) includes fertility treatments in which both eggs and sperm are handled. The most well-known ART is in vitro fertilization (IVF). In IVF, medication is injected into the female partner so that multiple eggs are procedure. When the eggs are ready, a needle is used to remove mature eggs from the ovaries. Sperm is then combined with the egg in a laboratory and the embryo is transferred to the uterus. IVF is done for damaged or blocked fallopian tubes that cannot be treated with surgery, severe endometriosis, primary ovarian insufficiency. IVF is the most effect fertility treatment option with a >50% success rate. 

If it is determined that IVF is needed to help you successfully have a child, our physicians will refer you to a trusted specialist for the procedure. We work closely with these specialists who will assist you through ovulation induction, egg retrieval, embryo transfer, and confirmation of pregnancy. Thereafter, you will graduate from the fertility clinic and we will be happy to have you return to us for your prenatal care. 

Some insurance companies may cover the cost of infertility treatment, while others do not. It depends upon your individual benefits under your healthcare plan. It is a good idea to call your insurance company to find out before you start your evaluation.