When infertility affects a woman’s ability to conceive, specialists test for underlying issues. Several treatment pathways allow patients to address their unique conditions, and these range from general approaches to targeted options. When patients understand what causes unexplained infertility, they are able to make more informed decisions about their treatment options.
Exploring Conventional Treatment Options
Identifying the possible causes of unexplained infertility helps determine a more effective treatment approach. A fertility specialist may begin a treatment plan by exploring conventional options. If these options fail to result in pregnancy, then specialists determine which subsequent steps will be suitable for the patient’s circumstances. Some doctors also discuss a patient’s history, such as miscarriages or previous failed treatments. Some conventional treatment options include:
Lifestyle Adjustments
Improving one’s overall health can help the body and uterus be more receptive to implantation; this often involves avoiding alcohol and cigarettes, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising. Specialists also help patients time intercourse for potentially more effective results. They evaluate when one is ovulating and time intercourse during that phase.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
When lifestyle adjustments still result in unexplained infertility, specialists can use assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to improve the chances of conception. These are procedures that assist with fertilizing an egg either inside or outside the womb, and they include:
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): This is where fertility specialists clean sperm and place it into the uterus, and it is timed with when the patient is ovulating.
- IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): During this process, the woman’s egg is fertilized outside the womb and then placed inside the uterus.
- ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): This is a specialized fertilization technique that works similarly to IVF, but the sperm is manually inserted into the egg outside the uterus.
Identifying Hidden Causes for Treatments
Unexplained infertility sometimes remains even after ART procedures. Standard tests may miss underlying issues, so advanced testing is needed. Some hidden causes include endometritis, silent endometriosis, or progesterone resistance.
Endometritis occurs when the uterine lining is inflamed. Uterine lining health plays a role in successful implantation, so treating inflammation is one step toward conception. If the uterine lining is too thin or too thick, it affects success. Women with endometrial inflammation may have no symptoms, and one cause includes silent endometriosis. This condition is where endometrial-like tissue grows on organs outside of the uterus, such as the fallopian tubes or ovaries. It can worsen the inflammation, which interferes with embryo implantation.
Progesterone helps prepare the uterus for implantation, and resistance to this hormone may be linked to unsuccessful IVF cycles. Testing the uterine lining helps specialists determine whether BCL6 is present, which is a biomarker that indicates potential inflammation. If a test comes back positive for BCL6, it allows specialists to guide treatment into a targeted approach. They are able to address a specific underlying cause, which creates a more personalized approach to a patient’s treatment plan.
You can also read about Gabapentin for Dogs: Safe Pain Relief Guide.
Using Targeted Treatments
Targeted treatments help address hidden symptoms and conditions. After a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, doctors may recommend specific treatments depending on the previous steps a patient has had. One option is laparoscopy; this is a surgery that removes endometriosis. It is also used to confirm the presence of inflammation if other tests came back negative. To help reduce inflammation, doctors may prescribe hormonal therapy. Regulating hormones helps to improve the uterine lining so it is more receptive to embryo implantation. Some treatment plans involve medication such as GnRH agonists, and these help suppress hormones to reduce endometriosis.
Find Treatments for Unexplained Infertility
Patients who have experienced miscarriages or failed IVF cycles can choose to be tested and treated for unexplained infertility. Some women have a healthy lifestyle but still are unable to conceive due to issues such as poor egg or sperm quality or hormonal issues. Unexplained infertility may be the result of various causes, but diagnosis allows specialists to recommend treatments that will address specific symptoms. Some of these symptoms are asymptomatic. By using diagnostic or biopsy testing, doctors are able to determine if the uterine lining is inflamed or if there are other issues preventing successful conception. Work with a fertility specialist today to receive testing that may help discover the cause of infertility.