Infertility affects 15% of couples and is defined medically by the failure to achieve pregnancy within 12 months of unprotected intercourse for those younger than 35 (for those older than 35, six months of unprotected intercourse is considered infertility).
Pregnancy is the result of a chain of events involving the release of an egg from an ovary (ovulation). The egg must travel through a fallopian tube toward the uterus (womb). Then, sperm must join with (fertilize) the egg along the way. The fertilized egg must then become attached to the inside of the uterus.
There are several causes of infertility, however, 40% of the time the causation involves the sperm and another 40% involves the egg. Other cases are due to a combination of male and female factors or to unknown causes.
Each time a new couple or patient comes to our office with infertility concerns, we at Frisco Women’s Health, engage in a 60-minute consultation to discuss potential causes, treatments, and tests that will provide greater insight to determine the cause of infertility and determine medical options for moving forward, hopefully towards a successful future pregnancy.
Essential components of an initial infertility workup include (but are not limited to): a review of the patient's medical history, a physical examination, and any additional tests our specialized medical staff would deem necessary to gain more information. For the biologically female partner, medical tests will focus on ovarian reserve, ovulatory function, and any potential structural abnormalities of reproductive organs. Imaging modalities, such as a hysterosalpingogram, can detect tubal patency and pelvic pathology and assess ovarian reserve. A workup of male factor infertility involves semen analysis.
Our office is equipped to perform ovulation induction with Letrozole or Clomid to stimulate your ovaries to make eggs to increase the chance of successful pregnancy with timed intercourse. These studies and procedures are usually done at a fraction of the cost incurred by a reproductive endocrinologist.
Feel free to call 972-668-8300 and schedule an appointment to discuss evaluation and treatment options.