An Overview of Infertility Treatment
Infertility is a reproductive condition defined by the failure to achieve pregnancy after more than one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. The condition is relatively common with about one in eight couples affected, but couples living in the Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas area often feel alone and confused when it comes to the proper infertility treatment. Dr. Dennis Eisenberg, fertility doctor and OBGYN, specializes in helping couples achieve conception, followed by a healthy pregnancy and baby.
What to Know About Infertility
Many factors must occur at the precise time for a couple to achieve pregnancy. First, a man must produce healthy sperm and a woman must produce healthy eggs and have healthy, unblocked fallopian tubes that will allow the sperm to travel to the egg. Once the sperm reaches the egg, it must be able to fertilize the egg so it can become implanted inside the woman’s uterus and create the embryo.
After these critical steps take place, a woman must then be able to carry the fetus to full-term. In order for this to happen, the embryo must be able to survive and develop within a woman’s body.
Common Infertility Issues
Infertility can be caused by either the man or woman, or even sometimes both. Both parties carry an equal chance of infertility issues when trying to conceive a child.
- Male infertility- The most common infertility issues found in men include azoospermia (no sperm cells are produced) and oligiospermia (only small amounts of sperm cells are produced)
- Female infertility- Ovulation disorders are the most common infertility issues found in women, as well as other conditions such as ovarian cysts, endometriosis and fibroid tumors
Selecting a Fertility Doctor
When a couple begins to consider seeking infertility treatment options, it is important they meet with an OBGYN that specializes in infertility issues. A fertility doctor has additional training and experience that helps them aid couples struggling with conception. Dr. Eisenberg offers a professional, compassionate environment that allows patients to discuss their issues in an honest and private setting.
Infertility Treatment Options
A fertility doctor begins treatment with a diagnosis. Both parties will have a physical examination, an analysis of body temperature, any appropriate x-rays and an analysis of ovulation and sperm.
Many cases of infertility can be treated with conventional options such as drug treatments and/or surgical repairs of damaged reproductive organs.
If a woman has blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, fibroids or ovarian cysts, a type of minor surgery performed with a thin tube (a laparoscope) can help diagnose the problem and/or clear the way for her to conceive.
Ovulation can be induced with various prescription medications such as Clomid. This medication triggers the body to release an egg during ovulation. Dr. Eisenberg may compliment this infertility treatment with an intrauterine insemination procedure. During this procedure, a catheter is used to insert sperm directly into the uterus.
If these treatments fail, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be recommended. IVF is an extremely effective infertility treatment that has provided countless couples with conception.
To learn more about infertility treatments, please contact the office of Dr. Dennis Eisenberg, OBGYN and fertility doctor serving the communities of Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas.