Diagnosis

• Overview
• Initial Consultation
• The Infertility Evaluation
• Follow-up Consultation
• Diagnostic Screening Tests
• The Female Infertility Evaluation
• The Male Infertility Evaluation

Overview

Infertility is classically defined as the inability to conceive and/or carry a child after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse. While this definition is generally true, there are exceptions. For example, many physicians believe that women 35 or older should consult with a Reproductive Endocrinologist once they have unsuccessfully attempted conception for six months. Infertility affects one in seven couples of childbearing age in the United States. This currently represents over 6.1 million couples in the United States alone. Although the number of couples affected by infertility has actually remained relatively constant over the past decade, the number seeking medical care has increased dramatically.

Approximately 30-35% of infertility patients suffer from disorders of ovulation, i.e., the development and/or release of an egg from the woman's ovary. An additional 30-40% experience male factor infertility, defined as abnormalities in sperm number or function. The remaining couples suffer from a variety of other disorders, including endometriosis, blockage of the fallopian tubes, hormonal disorders, immunologic problems, or abnormalities of the uterine cavity or cervix. Studies show that 15-20% of couples experience unexplained infertility. This means simply, that using our most modern technology, we are unable to diagnose the specific disorder(s) causing their inability to conceive. Although your physician may not be able to pinpoint a specific abnormality in these cases, effective treatments are still available.

There are many factors that lead to infertility. There are also many factors that can affect chances for successful treatment. Age, diagnosis, previous treatments, and the number of previous unsuccessful treatment attempts all have bearing on your potential success in bringing home your baby. The medical and laboratory teams at Texas Fertility Center (TFC) and Austin IVF work closely together; we draw from our wealth of clinical experience in order to develop a treatment plan optimized specifically for you. Whether you have seen other fertility specialists or this is your first experience with a fertility center, you will receive a personalized, comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment. At TFC, we believe in individualized care. We, therefore, rely on you to provide us with complete and accurate information and to communicate with us openly while under our care. In order to facilitate this relationship, we encourage both partners to attend the first step in this sometimes stressful journey – the initial consultation.