Is There Really No Explanation?
Infertility is a common issue that impacts 12% of American couples trying to conceive. The condition occurs when a couple who wants to get pregnant cannot do so naturally after at least 6-12 months of consistent effort. There is often an underlying issue with men and women experiencing infertility at equal rates. Sometimes, fertility assessments show no apparent reason for infertility as the man and woman have generally good reproductive health. At this stage, the medical team will declare unexplained infertility. An unexplained infertility diagnosis can be confusing, but the condition is an opportunity to try assisted reproductive technology (ART) and explore medication options associated with treatment.
Reasons for unexplained infertility
On the surface, there may be no clear indication of infertility in both parties, but some circumstances may impact pregnancy. Age often plays a role as couples at an advanced reproductive age struggle to conceive despite positive initial tests. Another reason is the immune system, which can prevent sperm from reaching and fertilizing eggs. There can be issues with the egg and sperm interacting naturally that cannot be explained with standard testing. Environmental dangers, such as exposure to certain toxins, may play a role. Fertility requires a delicate balance of hormones and reproductive health. Sometimes, the reason may be more subtle, such as a slight hormonal imbalance, undetected endometriosis, or implantation issues with the uterine lining. Finding these potential issues can be challenging, often requiring multiple tests, trial and error.
IUI and unexplained infertility
In cases of unexplained infertility, doctors will recommend moving to ART to increase pregnancy rates. The first effective stage is intrauterine insemination (IUI), which can help improve pregnancy rates. IUI involves medically inserting a prepared sperm sample directly into a woman’s uterus to increase pregnancy rates. By bypassing potential issues with sperm transport and bringing sperm closer to the egg, pregnancy may increase. IUI success rates can reach as high as 25% per cycle but often need multiple attempts to achieve pregnancy.
It’s time for IVF
IVF is the gold standard of ART and an effective strategy for treating unexplained infertility. The process involves creating embryos in a fertility laboratory using sperm and egg samples. Creating embryos bypasses potential issues with fertilization. Women undergoing IVF take injectable fertility medication to create multiple follicles in the ovaries. Additional medication helps the eggs mature, which are then surgically extracted before release. After embryo creation, the fertility team will surgically transfer at least 1 embryo to the woman’s uterus. Fertility medication is also required to prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy. Some studies show that at least 60% of IVF patients with unexplained infertility were able to have a child. These figures can be higher in some clinical settings. Factors like age influence success rates, as women under 35 were more likely to conceive.
Maximizing success rates
For IUI and IVF, patients who use medication achieve higher success rates. Clomiphene citrate or other hormone use with IUI, for instance, increases success rates compared to those who do not use medication. IVF patients achieve higher results with injectable gonadotropins and follow-up medications to improve uterine health in preparation for embryo implantation. With IVF, fertility clinics can create custom medication solutions based on factors such as age and underlying health conditions. Unexplained infertility patients can improve success rates via lifestyle changes. A healthier diet, exercise, stress reduction, and avoiding endocrine disruptors are all known to improve fertility over time.
Don’t be discouraged
Unexplained infertility can be a stressful diagnosis that feels devoid of answers. The condition, however, rules out the known and helps fertility teams delve into the unknown. There are deeper reasons that additional testing can reveal. Improving overall health and using fertility medication may improve fertility. Most doctors, however, will recommend starting ART as soon as possible. IUI and IVF are effective strategies to work around an unexplained infertility diagnosis. Both options work with IVF showing superior success rates but requiring more steps and effort. Thanks to these treatments, unexplained infertility patients can have renewed hope.
