Whether you are planning to start a family soon, or grow your current family, fertility problems can make the exciting time more challenging. Many different medical conditions and other factors can contribute to
infertility, and it affects men and women equally.
At Austin Regional Clinic, our first step in infertility treatment involves diagnosing the cause then planning a course of care.
Dr. Maya Bledsoe, reproductive medicine and endocrinology specialist, works with each patient and their primary care physician to find the right treatment for their health needs and lifestyle.
Treating infertility requires knowing the causes. Some causes of
female infertility include failure to ovulate, disease of the fallopian tubes,
endometriosis, an abnormal uterus, thyroid problems, etc. Some causes of
male infertility include low sperm count, poor sperm function, and problems with sperm delivery. The lifestyle factors for both men and women can contribute to a couple’s infertility. These include stress, obesity, smoking, alcohol intake, and illicit drug usage. Likewise, environmental factors like exposure to toxins and chemicals in the workplace, home or surrounding environment also can contribute to infertility. However, once you begin to explore the medical causes and discover fertility treatments that may be able to help, there is hope for a successful pregnancy.
If you are thinking about conceiving, but suspect you may have difficulty because of a history of irregular menstrual cycles, or if you or your partner have a known fertility problem, seek help early in the process.