Our clinic helps patients move past infertility causes with effective treatments

Hormonal, structural and genetic factors are infertility causes that our Tennessee fertility doctors help patients overcome. Female infertility is the barrier to pregnancy in about 40% of infertile couples, male factor infertility affects 40% of these couples and the remaining 20% have a combination of factors.

Our clinic works with patients to diagnose infertility struggles. After making a diagnosis, our team helps patients create a treatment plan that meets their unique needs.

Infertility causes include various structural and genetic factors

Structural and genetic factors can make it difficult for patients to conceive a healthy baby. These issues can prevent sperm from fertilizing the egg. They can also impede the embryo’s ability to implant in the uterus.

Uterine abnormalities. Issues in the uterus, including polyps, fibroids, intrauterine adhesions or congenital abnormalities, can prevent embryo implantation.

Fallopian tube blockages. Sperm might be unable to reach the egg and a fertilized egg might not reach the uterus if a woman has blockages in her fallopian tubes. A hydrosalpinx, which occurs when the end of a fallopian tube swells with fluid, can also cause problems.

Endometriosis. Endometriosis causes tissue from the lining of the uterus to implant and grow outside the uterus. This condition can block fallopian tubes or cause problems with the lining of the uterus.

Cervical factors. When mucus between the uterus and pelvic cavity can’t thin or antisperm antibodies are present, the sperm might be unable to fertilize the egg.

Genetic issues. Women who are carriers of Fragile X or have a translocation or chromosome rearrangement could have ovulation issues. Men with certain chromosomal challenges might have a low sperm count or the absence of sperm in the semen.

Sperm abnormalities. Issues with a man’s sperm are common infertility causes. In addition, azoospermia, a condition where a man’s ejaculation does not contain sperm, can create fertility issues.

Our Tennessee fertility doctors help patients determine whether structural or genetic factors are the cause of their infertility.

Hormone imbalances can result in fertility challenges

Hormonal challenges can affect ovulation in women. They can also interfere with sperm production and sexual function in men. Various circumstances can disrupt a patient’s reproductive hormones.

Ovulatory dysfunction. Women with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, luteal phase defect or diminished ovarian reserve might not ovulate.

Hypothalamic-pituitary factors. A woman’s hypothalamus might stop making GnRH, or gonadotropin-releasing hormone, if she experiences chronic stress or has a low body weight. This issue affects ovulation because without GnRH the pituitary gland will not release the hormones needed for ovulation. Pituitary tumors called prolactinomas that secrete excess prolactin can also impede ovulation.

Hormone imbalance in men. Imbalances in the level of a man’s follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) or prolactin could affect his sperm production and sexual function.

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can interfere with a woman’s reproductive hormone levels and ovarian reserve. In men, chemotherapy can harm sperm quality and production.

Our clinic offers many treatments to help patients move past these hormonal infertility causes.

Discover how the doctors at our clinic diagnose infertility

Our Tennessee fertility doctors use a variety of tests to diagnose infertility issues. These tests help the doctors recommend treatments that can help patients fulfill the dream of parenthood.

Bloodwork. Blood tests allow doctors to assess a patient’s reproductive hormones.

Transvaginal ultrasound. An ultrasound can provide helpful information about the health of a woman’s ovaries and uterus.

Genetic testing. Preconception carrier testing can reveal if the patient is a carrier of any inheritable genetic conditions.

Hysterosalpingogram, or HSG. Some women require this nonsurgical test that can detect uterine abnormalities, such as intrauterine adhesions, endometrial polyps or uterine fibroids.

Semen analysis. A semen analysis can reveal abnormalities in a man’s sperm.

With the expert support of our clinic, patients can move past infertility causes and build healthy families. Contact us to learn more about how we diagnose and treat infertility.