Infertility at Lakewood Health System

Fertility for women relies on the ovaries releasing healthy eggs. The reproductive tract must allow an egg to pass into the fallopian tubes and join with sperm for fertilization. The fertilized egg must travel to the uterus and implant in the lining. Tests for infertility try to find out if any of these processes are impaired.

Testing can include:

History: This is done to get clues as to the cause of your infertility. Questions will include medical, surgical, gynecological and obstetric history, as well as some “lifestyle” questions.

Physical exam: Often, a physical exam is performed. This may include a pelvic ultrasound, to help uncover abnormalities along with lab tests to assess the quantity and quality of the woman’s egg supply.

Semen analysis: This important test is typically done early in the evaluation process. If a defect is discovered, the testing on the female might be modified while immediate therapy is directed to the male.

Blood tests: Depending on each situation, additional blood tests on either the female or male may be needed.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): The HSG test uses X-ray technology to create a picture of the uterus and fallopian tubes. This allows your healthcare provider to see if there is any damage to your reproductive system.

Hysterosonogram: A hysterosonogram is a minimally invasive ultrasound exam that provides images of the inside of the uterus to help diagnose the cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding and can be helpful in diagnosing female infertility especially if having problems affecting uterus or fallopian tubes.

Infertility treatment depends on:

• What’s causing the infertility

• How long you’ve been infertile

• Your age and your partner’s age

• Personal preferences

Some causes of infertility can’t be corrected. In cases where spontaneous pregnancy doesn’t happen, couples can often still achieve a pregnancy through use of assisted reproductive technology. Infertility treatment may involve significant financial, physical, psychological and time commitments.

Treatments can include:

Artificial insemination – Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is when “washed” sperm are placed into a female’s uterus or cervix, using artificial means. This option can help couples with a diagnosed sperm condition or unexplained fertility problem.

Follicular studies – Follicular monitoring is the most accurate way to assess an ovulatory cycle and predict the best time for fertilization.

Donor sperm – Donor insemination can be used as an effective treatment when it is combined with Artificial Insemination or In Vitro Fertilization.

Stimulation therapy – Women in treatment for infertility may use drug therapy to stimulate the ovaries’ egg production.

In vitro fertilization – In this procedure, eggs are removed from the mother, and then fertilized in a laboratory using sperm from the mother’s partner or a donor. After fertilization and incubation, the reproductive endocrinologist transfers the embryos back to the mother’s uterus or to a gestational carrier.

Egg donation program – This is an important option for women who are unable to produce enough ovarian reserves for viable eggs. Once the eggs are obtained from a donor, an embryologist fertilizes them with the mother’s partner, or a donor’s sperm. After incubation, a reproductive endocrinologist transfers the embryos back to the mother’s uterus.

Gestational carrier – A gestational carrier is a woman who is willing and able to carry another woman’s baby to term. After an embryologist uses the mother’s partner, or a donor’s sperm to fertilize the mother’s eggs, the viable eggs are incubated in the laboratory. A reproductive endocrinologist will transfer viable embryos to the gestational carrier’s uterus.

The field of medicine has made significant strides in fertility treatment options. As advanced as these options are, most insurance companies do not cover these treatments.

Our Women’s Health team will refer patients interested in pursuing infertility treatment to our Pre-Encounter Team (PET) who will provide cost estimates.