Infertility Specialist

When should I seek an infertility evaluation?

You should call North County Women’s Specialists to schedule an infertility evaluation when you meet any of these guidelines:

• Women under the age of 35 who aren’t pregnant after one year of regular, unprotected sex
• Women aged 35 to 40 who aren’t pregnant after six months of regular, unprotected sex
• Women over the age of 40 who have decided to have a baby
• Women of any age with irregular menstrual cycles or a condition that affects fertility

If you’re over 40 or have a problem that may lead to infertility, getting medical care as soon as you decide to have a baby may increase your chance of becoming pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy.

Why is age an important factor in infertility?

Fertility diminishes in men and women as they get older, but age is a critical consideration for women because the number and quality of their eggs go down over time.

Women are most fertile through their early 30s. Fertility begins to go down after the age of 30, then after 35, it rapidly drops. By the time you reach 40, your chance of getting pregnant declines every month.

What causes infertility?

In about one-third of infertile couples, the problem is male factor infertility, often due to a problem with sperm. In another one-third of infertile couples, the problem is found in the woman.

The most common causes of female infertility include:

Ovulation problems

In about 25-30% of infertile couples, the woman doesn’t ovulate (release an egg) regularly due to a physical condition or hormonal imbalance.

Tubal problem

In about 20-30% of infertile couples, there’s a problem in the fallopian tubes, such as scarring or infection, that stops an egg from being fertilized.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis leads to infertility in 5-10% of couples. When you have endometriosis, tissues similar to those that line the inside of your uterus grow outside the uterus, causing bleeding, inflammation, and scarring.

How is infertility treated?

Your treatment for infertility is customized to address the underlying cause. Your doctor may recommend medication or minimally invasive surgery to treat some problems, such as endometriosis.

Some women need assisted reproductive technology, such as:

Intrauterine insemination

During intrauterine insemination, you take medication to trigger ovulation, then sperm is inserted directly into your uterus when you ovulate.

In vitro fertilization

Your eggs are removed and fertilized in the lab either by exposing the eggs to multiple sperm or by directly injecting one healthy sperm into an egg.

If you haven’t been able to get pregnant, call North County Women’s Specialists or book an appointment online.