Infertility — Worries You May Have, Answers that Could Help

Angela Greif, MD
Jones Regional Medical Center

In the U.S., about ten percent or 6.1 million women, have problems getting pregnant or carrying a baby to term. It isn’t something anyone wants to think about or worry about, but it can be something you are dealing with. The following is information regarding infertility and possibly some answers to help calm those worries.

 

Risk Factors

    Risk factors for female infertility include:
  • Age. Fertility begins to decline when a woman reaches her mid-30s, and rapidly declines after her late 30s.
  • Weight. Extreme weight levels, either high or low, can contribute to infertility.
  • Smoking. Cigarette smoking can impair a woman’s fertility.

Causes

Infertility may be caused by an underlying medical condition that damages the fallopian tubes, interferes with ovulation or causes hormonal complications.

    These medical conditions include:
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Endometriosis
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Premature ovarian failure
  • Uterine fibroids

Diagnosis

If you have been unable to conceive after one year of unprotected sex, talk with your doctor about having your fertility evaluated. Fertility testing should especially be performed if a woman is over 35 years old or if either partner has known risk factors for infertility. An analysis of the man's semen should be performed before the female partner undergoes any invasive testing.

    In addition to medical history and physical examination, specific diagnostic tests for female infertility include:
  • Blood and urine tests to evaluate hormonal levels
  • Imaging and ultrasound tests, (such as hysterosalpingography, hysteroscopy, or laparoscopy), to examine the uterus and fallopian tubes

Treatment

Treatment for infertility should first address any underlying medical condition that may be contributing to fertility problems.

    If this step does not restore fertility, there are several treatment approaches available:
  • Lifestyle measures (healthy lifestyle, planning sexual activity with ovulation cycle, managing stress and emotions)
  • Drugs to induce ovulation, such as clomiphene and gonadotrophins
  • Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF)

For more information on this or any other health related topic, visit www.jonesregional.org


Sean Williams Elgin Lester, Lifeguard Air Ambulance Helicopter Pilot
Emergency Department
"The emergency room team worked together so well. They were prepared to take care of my immediate needs when I arrived. There wasn't a wasted motion in the ER. I was so impressed with the efficiency and the way the ER worked! As an air ambulance pilot, I've seen it all, and for a smaller hospital to have everything lined up and orchestrated so well, it was comforting to me as I was going through this. I was in a lot of pain, but they took care of me. I've always thought they did a great job here in Anamosa, but I really understand the true meaning of 'They saved my life' now."
- Elgin Lester, Anamosa, former heart attack patient at Jones Regional