INFERTILITY - FERTILITY

Possible Causes of Infertility

Many couples desperately want children but are not able to conceive and/or bring the baby to term. There are many causes for infertility problems. Couples begin with very comprehensive medical testing to enable the doctor to uncover what is the cause of the problem.

Possible problems that can cause infertility:

• Ovulation problems - these problems can be caused by hypothalamic pituitary dysfunction, autoimmune disorders, congenital defects, environment, lifestyle, diet, medications, and infections.
• Cervical problems - these problems can be structural in nature (i.e. absence of cervical canal or incompetent cervix) and can be caused by congenital defects, and/or drug exposure (i.e. DES in the late 60s and early 70s).
• Uterine problems - these problems can be caused by structural defects, uterine fibroids, and scar tissue from previous surgeries.
• Fallopian Tube Problems - these problems can be caused by infection, surgeries, congenital defects, IUDs, sexually transmitted diseases, and pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Pelvic problems - the problems can be caused by endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, surgical trauma, and adhesion (scar tissue).
• Male-Hormonal problems - these problems can include structural problems including hypospadia, absence of vas deferens, undescended testicles, blockages, retrograde ejaculation, and vasectomy. Other problems can include sterility (no viable sperm) and low sperm count.

Infertility Treatment Options

There are multiple treatment options available to help couples with infertility problems.

Treatment options include:

• Medications - medications are used to stimulate ovulation, block production of competing hormones, regulate female and/or male hormones, treat conditions such as endometriosis, and support ovulation and/or pregnancy.
• Surgery - surgery is used to correct structural problems including congenital abnormalities. Surgery is also used as a diagnostic tool in uncovering the cause for infertility in a given situation.
• Intrauterine Insemination - in this procedure, the doctor manually places partner's sperm directly into the patient's uterus.
• Surrogate Gestational Carrier - patient's egg is fertilized by partner's sperm and placed into another woman's uterus. This is an option for a couple if the patient's eggs are okay but her uterus is unable to carry a baby to term.
• In Vitro Fertilization - after sperm fertilizes egg, incubation takes place in a petri dish for 1-3 days and is then placed into the womb.
• Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer - after sperm and egg are blended and then inserted into a fallopian tube.
• Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer - after sperm fertilizes egg, it is then placed into a fallopian tube.
• Oocyte (egg) Donation - Women can receive healthy eggs if they themselves do not have healthy eggs but do have a healthy uterus.

Infertility Costs

Infertility care is very expensive. Be sure to know exactly what your insurance carrier covers, and have it in writing.

Some of the costs associated with infertility care:

• Basic work up (tests) -  can cost between $4,410-$11,130
• Clomiphene (medication ovulation induction) - can cost between $135-$330 per cycle
• Gonadotrophine (injection ovulation induction) - can cost between $1,620-$4,348 per cycle
• Intrauterine Issemination - can cost between $180-$510 per cycle
• Exploratory Laparotomy - can cost between $7,100-$18,000
• In Vitro Fertilization - can cost between $8,500-$9,000 per cycle
• Surrogate Gestation Carrier - can cost between $29,350- $50,600 per cycle

Infertility Treatment Clinics: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming