Infertility Specialist

When should I talk to a doctor about infertility?

If you’re under the age of 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for a year without success, make an appointment with Dr. Grier for a fertility assessment. If you’re 35 or older, you should only try for six months before seeking fertility help.

You might have trouble getting pregnant at all, or you might have trouble staying pregnant. If either of these situations describes you, you can count on compassionate, expert help from Dr. Grier. 

What causes infertility?

Successful conception involves many steps and factors. Your body needs to produce and release a viable egg that must travel through your fallopian tubes into your uterus. 

Your partner needs to supply enough high-quality sperm to reach and fertilize your egg cell successfully. Then, the fertilized egg needs to implant in your uterine wall and develop as an embryo, fetus, and baby. 

A problem at any stage of this process can cause infertility. For example, some common causes of female infertility include:

• Ovulation problems
• Blocked fallopian tubes
• Uterine abnormalities like fibroids

However, around a third of fertility problems are due to male infertility, so your partner should also have a fertility workup.

How is the cause of infertility diagnosed?

Dr. Grier begins her diagnosis by reviewing your medical history and completing a physical, including a pelvic exam. She orders blood tests to evaluate your hormone levels and check for signs of other conditions that could interfere with your fertility. 

Dr. Grier also uses ultrasounds, hysteroscopy, and laparoscopy to examine your reproductive organs in more detail and check for structural abnormalities. 

How is infertility treated?

Dr. Grier provides customized treatments depending on the root cause of your fertility problems. For example, if you aren’t ovulating regularly, she can prescribe medication to boost your ovulation. 

Alternatively, as an experienced gynecologic surgeon, she can also repair abnormalities in your reproductive organs to create a more hospitable environment for conception and pregnancy. In some cases, you might need assisted reproductive technologies, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). 

Dr. Grier can answer your questions and explain your treatment options so you can make the best choices to enhance your fertility and grow your family. 

If you’re concerned about your fertility, call Melissa Grier, MD Women’s Healthcare or make an appointment online today.