Identifying and Treating Female Infertility So You Can Experience Motherhood
- Category: Female Infertility
- Posted On:
- Written By: Mark Denker, M.D.
Most couples want to experience the joys that come with pregnancy and parenthood. But before they can know these wonders, they first have to conceive. Conception can be difficult for some couples; in fact, one in 8 couples experiences problems getting pregnant. Dr. Mark Denker, founder of Palm Beach Fertility Center, says many issues can contribute to female infertility.
Female infertility may be caused by:
- Lack of ovulation, or anovulation
- Advanced maternal age, and decreased ovarian function
- Obesity & weight fluctuation
- Eating disorders & poor nutrition
- Cancer treatment
- Uterine scar tissue from STDs or endometriosis
Some of these barriers to getting pregnant are health issues, some are outside factors, and others are lifestyle choices. Many times, infertility is a result of more than one of these factors. Luckily, most of these issues can be eliminated with medicine or a change in lifestyle.
Testing for Female Infertility
Couples that have tried to conceive for a year or longer may need to be tested to determine the specific barrier to pregnancy. Palm Beach Fertility Center’s fertility specialist Dr. Mark Denker will start with specific tests to determine the cause of female infertility. The preliminary examinations include:
- Blood tests
- Pelvic ultrasounds
- Imaging procedure to check patency of the fallopian tubes
Hysterosalpingography (HSG) tests, or “dye tests,” effectively check for fallopian tube occlusions and uterine defects. HSG tests are similar to pelvic exams, but they use dye to view fallopian tube and uterine irregularities. “Fem-Vue” is a more advanced test that allows fertility doctors to view the fallopian tubes without X-rays or contrast solution, says Dr. Mark Denker. Once Dr. Mark Denker determines the cause of your infertility, we can begin treatment.
Dr. Mark Denker will spend time with each patient to determine the best course of fertility treatment. To increase female fertility, we also must treat any present medical conditions, such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts or infection. Medium to severe scar tissue caused by endometriosis can make implantation difficult. Our fertility specialist at Palm Beach Fertility can remove endometrial tissue temporarily to allow a window for conception.
If you and your partner are having trouble conceiving, Dr. Mark Denker and his team want to help. Call 800.953.BABY today to schedule an appointment, and we will be happy to determine your individual fertility needs.