Coming To Terms With Unexplained Infertility
For some, getting pregnant is easier said than done. Men, women, or couples could try for months without any success. At this point, doctors would raise the possibility of infertility. Naturally, 10% of Americans on average with the condition would want answers. In some cases, the issue could be easily identified. Others will receive a diagnosis of unexplained infertility. Unexplained infertility opens the door for treatments like IUI.
Why can’t you tell me what’s wrong?
Doctors usually have an appropriate answer for infertility. The issue could be male factor infertility or female related. But in more than 10% of infertility cases, everything seems fine. The man has a good sperm count with healthy sperm. The woman has excellent reproductive health, with a healthy ovarian reserve. Both parties can take extensive tests including hormone tests. Yet, the couple can’t seem to get pregnant. These cases are unexplained infertility. An unexplained diagnosis can be frustrating. Sometimes, the reason for infertility could be too complex to uncover.
Turning to IUI
So what can someone do when faced with unexplained infertility? Doctors and fertility clinics can improve the chances of pregnancy with IUI. Intrauterine insemination or IUI is a common form of fertility treatment. IUI improves the chances of pregnancy by placing sperm directly inside the uterus. The sperm still needs to travel the fallopian tubes and fertilize the egg without assistance. However, IUI gives sperm the perfect headstart. Doctors mainly use IUI for male factor infertility. However, the procedure is just as useful for unexplained infertility.
Washed, prepped and ready to go
To start the procedure, both parties must prepare for the process. The woman may be given medication to stimulate ovulation. Doctors then prep a sperm sample through a process called sperm washing. Sperm washing separates the sperm from the semen. The method also removes any chemicals that can react poorly with the uterus. What’s left is a sample strong enough for IUI.
A quick procedure, a long wait
With the woman now ovulating, the IUI procedure can take place. A doctor will use a catheter to insert the washed sperm sample into the woman’s uterus. With the most potent sperm getting a head start, doctors expect a higher success rate of pregnancy. The process is painless and takes just a few minutes. From there, the couple and doctors will monitor for signs and symptoms of pregnancy.
The risks and rewards of IUI
With any reproductive procedure, there are some risks to consider. The biggest is that the IUI process is not guaranteed. In some cases, women may need to undergo more than one course of treatment. There’s also the possibility of becoming pregnant with multiples. IUI has a 20% success rate when used with couples facing unexplained infertility. Despite the fact the persons involved are in good reproductive health, factors like age can affect the success rate.
An excellent option for unanswered questions
Nothing can be more frustrating than an unexplained infertility diagnosis. And anyone struggling to get pregnant would want to know why. Some couples turn to fertility treatments like IUI. And intrauterine insemination is the first significant step to better chances of pregnancy. Persons struggling to get pregnant should speak with a doctor to explore this option.