Comprehensive Care. One Practice.

• Gynecological Care
• da Vinci Robotic Surgery
• Obstetric Care
• Infertility
• Maternal Fetal Medicine
• Birth Control
• Osteoporosis
• Incontinence

A regional leader in all aspects of gynecology and obstetrics, Glen Meade Center for Women's Health provides expert diagnosis, consultation and treatment for female infertility. Our medical staff has decades of experience and training, and is especially sensitive to the emotional nature of this medical problem.

Causes

Female infertility may result from various issues in the uterus and/or ovaries, or from other medical and lifestyle factors. Sometimes infertility results because a fertilized egg or embryo either does not attach to the lining of the uterus (womb), or it attaches but does not survive. In some instances, the ovaries may not be able to produce eggs at all, or the eggs that are produced are not able to move from the ovaries to the womb.

Other issues that may cause or contribute to female infertility include:

• Cancer or tumor
• Fibroid or polyp growth in the uterus and/or cervix
• Ovarian cysts or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Pelvic infection or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Autoimmune disorders
• Clotting disorders
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disease
• Scarring from sexually transmitted infection
• Endometriosis
• Excessive exercising
• Eating disorders/poor nutrition
• Obesity
• Certain medications, including chemotherapy drugs
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Hormonal levels too high or too low
• Older age (Fertility drops at age 35 and again after 40)

Diagnostic tools

Infertility testing in women may include:

• Blood tests to check hormone levels, including progesterone and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
• Checking morning body temperature to determine if ovaries are releasing eggs
• Hysterosalpingography (a radiologic assessment of the uterus and fallopian tubes)
• Pelvic ultrasound
• Laparoscopy (inspection of pelvic region)
• Luteinizing hormone uterine test (ovulation prediction)
• Thyroid function tests

Treatment

Depending on the cause of the infertility, treatment options may include:

• Education and counseling
• Fertility treatments, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF)
• Medications that treat infections and clotting disorders
• Medications that help women grow and release eggs from the ovaries

The experienced and compassionate obstetricians of Glen Meade Center for Women's Health are here to answer your questions and assist you with your fertility issues. Please schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified physicians when you are ready to seek medical assistance for this concern.