Clermont Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility

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Infertility

AN INFERTILITY EVALUATION MAY INCLUDE:

• Physical exam
• Semen analysis
• Sonohysterogram
• Hysteroscopy D&C
• Laparoscopy
• Chromopertubation
• Bloodwork
• Immunological testing

At Clermont Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility, we focus on couples suffering from infertility. Evaluation and management of common female and male factors include anovulatory disorders (ie, PCOS, thyroid dysfunction), pelvic diseases (ie, endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, fibroids, uterine cavity defects), as well as recurrent miscarriage.

We also manage advanced infertility disorders such as anovulation refractory to oral medications using injectable fertility medications coupled with Intrauterine insemination, also known as IUI.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Ovulation Induction
Clomiphene citrate, an oral prescription medication, is the most commonly used drug for Ovulation Induction (OI). Clomiphene citrate is used to stimulate FSH, correct irregular ovulation, help increase egg production, and correct luteal phase deficiency. Clomiphene citrate fools the body into believing that the level of estrogen is low.

As a result, the hypothalamus sends a signal to the pituitary gland to release more follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) into the bloodstream. The high level of FSH, in turn, stimulates the development of a follicle and egg. If the treatment cycle is successful, a surge of LH may occur about a week after the last tablet is taken.

This surge of LH causes the egg to be released in a process called ovulation. In some cases, the treatment may result in more than one egg. If ovulation does occur, fertilizing the released egg, either through timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination, is the next step.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
An IUI (intrauterine insemination) is performed by threading a very thin flexible catheter through the cervix and injecting washed sperm directly into the uterus. The whole process doesn't take very long; it usually only requires the insertion of a speculum and then the catheter, a process that maybe takes a couple of minutes (60-90 seconds to introduce the catheter, then sperm injection, and another 60 seconds or so to remove the catheter.

Sperm can be collected either at home, if you live close to our practice, or at our office. The man will be provided with a sterile collection cup, where he can deposit his ejaculate. If you plan on using a fresh sample, then this sample needs to be delivered to us within a half hour of ejaculation. Frozen sperm from sperm donors can be used in IUI.

Intrauterine insemination is typically combined with Clomid or Gonal-f® injectables to help a patient produce more eggs.

If you need in vitro fertilization (IVF) we will refer you to one of our highly-specialized colleagues.

» FERTILITY TIPS:

TIMED INTERCOURSE: We recommend that you should have sexual intercourse at least every other day just before and after you ovulate. During ovulation, the egg that has matured in your ovary is released and settles into one of your fallopian tubes. After ovulation, this egg will survive for only about 24 hours. A man's sperm, however, can live for 48 — 72 hours in a woman's reproductive tract.

Assuming that a woman has a 28–day cycle and that ovulation occurs around the 14th day of her cycle that means that her most fertile times occur during days 12 to 20 of her cycle. But before you apply this math, take into consideration that not all women have 28–day cycles. The key to timing your intercourse is knowing the length of your cycle so you can estimate when ovulation occurs. It's also important to understand that this "fertile window" can be highly unpredictable, even if a woman's menstrual cycle is usually regular.

Source: Fertility Lifelines

» DID YOU KNOW?

Infertility affects about 7.3 million women and their partners in the U.S. -- about 12% of the reproductive-age population
(Source: National Survey of Family Growth, CDC 2002).

Clermont Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility

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MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: The information provided in the Clermont Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility web site should be relied upon for medical education purposes only. It is not intended to replace the independent judgment of a health care provider. The appropriateness of a course of treatment for a patient may vary from the medical information provided herein due to individual conditions and/or complications.