If you have further questions about the causes of infertility problems, please contact our Sacramento-area practice.
Northern California Fertility Medical Center
1130 Conroy Lane, Suite #100
Roseville, CA 95661
Phone: (866) 714-2492
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If you are having trouble getting pregnant, you must realize that many different factors can inhibit fertility and that the majority of them are entirely reversible or treatable. This page describes some of the common causes of infertility problems and how they are addressed at our Sacramento-area practice.
In order to determine the cause of infertility, physicians must be able to identify whether there is a problem with the sperm or with the egg, if there is something preventing the two from coming together, and if there is anything inhibiting implantation and development of a resulting embryo. It is not uncommon for more than one factor to be present, which is why a full range of tests is usually performed, even if one factor has already been identified.
A semen analysis determines the concentration (number) of sperm, as well as their motility (movement) and morphology (shape). Abnormalities in any of these may indicate a problem. Hormonal imbalances, environmental factors, and certain medical conditions can result in male infertility problems. Most of these can be reversed.
Regardless of the causes of infertility problems in men, our Sacramento-area practice has the technology to overcome almost any degree of sperm-based obstacle to pregnancy. In Vitro fertilization and ICSI offer the possibility of fatherhood to men who would once have had no chance of being able to have children.
The most common problem concerning eggs is a low ovarian reserve. While men keep producing new sperm throughout their reproductive years, women only have a set number of eggs, all of which are already present at birth. When this supply of eggs begins to run low, a woman will have less and less of an opportunity to become pregnant on her own. Generally, this decrease in fertility begins around the age of 35, so women who are 35 or older are given a clomiphene citrate challenge test to determine ovarian reserve before receiving treatment for infertility problems at our Sacramento-area fertility center.
Although less common and more difficult to identify, it is also possible for a woman’s eggs to be of poor quality or difficult to fertilize. Regardless of the issue, problems with eggs are almost always addressed through IVF with egg donation.
Many of the causes of infertility problems we treat at our Sacramento-area practice are obstacles that prevent fertilization. These causes include any physical problem that interrupts the normal path of eggs or sperm, as well as any condition that prevents the release of otherwise healthy eggs or sperm. Almost all of these problems and conditions can be overcome through IVF, although many do not require such an invasive treatment and can be treated with a simple surgical procedure or medical therapy.
Obstacles to implantation and development can be especially frustrating because they often result in early miscarriages or multiple failed courses of IVF. They can include hormonal malfunctions, immunological problems, and infections or diseases that affect the endometrium, or lining of the uterus. Some of these conditions can be treated if the exact source of the problem can be identified. Severe cases can be addressed through IVF surrogacy, which allows a couple to have a biological child of their own despite a woman's inability to carry a pregnancy.
If you are interested in learning more about potential causes of infertility problems, contact our Sacramento-area practice. We are happy to answer any questions you have or help you schedule a consultation with one of our infertility specialists.