Fertility Treatment
Reproductive Endocrinology Solutions to Problems of Infertility
It is not unusual for a couple to have trouble starting a family. Infertility issues can arise in both men and women and should be addressed by a medical professional.
Our board-certified reproductive endocrinologists and fertility specialists have worked with countless couples that have faced obstacles as they've tried to start a family. Our knowledgeable and compassionate team is ready to assess your fertility treatment options.
What Causes Infertility?
The first step in seeking fertility solutions is determining what is preventing the couple from conceiving.
In 40 percent of the cases, the issue can be traced to the woman — and in another 40 percent of the cases, it can be traced to the man.
Both sexes contribute to the difficulty 15 percent of the time, and the cause is unknown in the remaining 5 percent.
Depending on what the specific issue is, a reproductive endocrinologist will recommend a strategy and procedure that stands the best chance of success.
Treatment Options
We are proud to offer the following fertility treatment options:
- In vitro fertilization (IVF). A popular process that involves joining a woman's egg and man's sperm in a specially cultured laboratory dish, where fertilization occurs and the fertilized egg then is implanted in the woman's uterus.
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). ICSI is emerging as the most effective IVF technique in overcoming male-related problems that involve low sperm counts or obstructive sperm problems. The procedure is performed by directly injecting a single sperm into a harvested egg in an attempt to create a viable embryo.
- Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA). When sperm cannot be obtained because of certain medical conditions, including diabetes, trauma to the testicles and congenital problems, microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) may be considered. This procedure is performed by a urologist who works with a reproductive endocrinologist in surgically retrieving the most mature and motile sperm cells from the epididymis. They then are injected into the harvested egg.
- Blastocyst transfer. This technique is performed when an embryo reaches four to five days old — the blastocyst stage — before being implanted in a new type of culture medium that is better at simulating conditions in a woman's tube and womb. The technique also can reduce the number of multiple births because fewer and more mature embryos are transferred — rather than multiple ones.
What Are the Chances that Fertility Treatment Will Work?
Every individual and couple is different, so fertility strategies and success rates can vary. The collective, national success rate of these methods is about 26 percent, which is roughly the same success rate of fertile couples who do not require fertility assistance.
We understand the sensitive nature of this branch of medicine and partner closely with our patients to ensure they understand their options and prospects. If you are interested in learning more about your fertility treatment options, our dedicated and attentive professionals are ready to hear from you.