How to get pregnant with unexplained infertility
Most people dream of having children at some point during their life. But for some, the journey towards parenthood looks a bit different. People struggling with unexplained infertility often need to go through a lengthy treatment process to learn about their options for conceiving. In this blog post, you can read how to get pregnant with unexplained infertility.
What is unexplained infertility?
Unexplained infertility is when a doctor is unable to find the cause of the problem of conceiving. Most couples who struggle to conceive do not know the cause of their infertility to begin with. However, when they see a doctor and have their reproductive systems tested, they usually learn about the reason for their infertility. Only in rare cases are doctors unable to diagnose the cause of infertility.
How common is it?
According to WHO, 1 out of 6 couples experience fertility problems at some point. However, it is difficult to answer how common unexplained infertility is because most people receive a diagnosis after consulting a doctor and having their reproductive systems checked.
Treatment methods for unexplained infertility
Luckily, there are many different treatment options for couples struggling with unexplained infertility. The most popular method to obtain pregnancy is to use Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) like IVF or ICSI. The point of ART is to improve the sperm cells' chances of succeeding. Both men and women can benefit from ART. Continue reading to learn more about the different Assisted Reproductive Technologies.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
IVF is a popular treatment method where fertilization occurs outside the body in a laboratory. Any fertilized eggs are placed in an incubator, where they can grow into embryos. Any embryos formed in the incubator are either transferred to the woman or placed in a freezer for later use. Because fertilization occurs in a controlled environment, the chances of success increase.
If you struggle with female infertility, IVF is also a well-used option, as the controlled environment makes it easier for fertilization to occur.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
ICSI is similar to IVF. The only difference is that a single sperm cell is injected straight into the egg, instead of being placed next to it. This helps to increase the chances of fertilization, as all obstacles are removed for the sperm cell. ICSI is often used to help men struggling with low sperm quality.
Fertility treatment with donor gametes
If neither IVF nor ICSI can help fulfil your dreams of a child, then fertility treatment with donor gametes could be an option. When using donor gametes, there are three possibilities:
- Using a sperm donor: If you struggle with male infertility, sperm from a donor is an option for you where you can maintain a genetic relation between one parent and your child.
- Using an egg donor: Egg from a donor is used when struggling with female infertility. Similar to donor sperm, one parent maintains a genetic relation to your child when using donor eggs.
- Double donation: You can also use double donation to fulfil your dreams of a child. In double donation, both donor sperm and donor eggs are used.
It is a big decision to abandon fertility treatment with your own sperm or eggs and decide to use a donor. If you have any questions related to the process of using a donor to conceive, feel free to book a call with one of our Customer Care Team Members. They are happy to answer any questions you might have.
Success rates when struggling with unexplained infertility
It is difficult to establish a precise success rate for couples struggling with unexplained infertility, as it depends on things like access to treatment, treatment type, medical history, and general fertility. However, most of the couples that struggle with unexplained infertility end up becoming parents in some way.
Reasons for unexplained infertility
Depending on whether you experience male or female infertility, your doctor will typically look for different reasons for your unexplained infertility. Here you can see a list of some of the most typical reasons for male and female infertility:
Reasons for unexplained male infertility
Low sperm count
Sperm count describes the number of sperm cells in an ejaculation. A low number of sperm cells decreases the chances of fertilization occurring. According to WHO, a normal sperm count is above 15 million sperm cells per millilitre of sperm.
Low sperm motility
Sperm motility describes the sperm cells' ability to move. Movement is essential during fertilization, as the sperm cells must move from the cervix to the fallopian tubes where fertilization occurs. Normal sperm motility is above 40%, meaning that at least 40% of the sperm cells are moving.
Azoospermia
Azoospermia is a diagnosis that describes a total lack of sperm cells in an ejaculation. There are two types of azoospermia: Non-obstructive azoospermia where sperm production is at fault and obstructive azoospermia where a blockage or an obstruction prevents the sperm cells from moving to the testicles.
Reasons for unexplained female infertility
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a condition where the ovaries produce an abnormal number of androgens, causing numerous small cysts to form in the ovaries. In most cases, PCOS is treatable, and pregnancy occurs after some time.
Endometriosis
A condition in which tissue like the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant. Even mild cases of endometriosis can make it difficult for you to get pregnant. Like PCOS, many women diagnosed with endometriosis still manage to conceive.
Low egg quality
Women’s egg quality is essential for their chances of conceiving. It is difficult to determine your egg quality, but blood tests and ultrasound scans can give you a clue about the quality of your eggs, but it is not a final diagnosis.
Personal stories from people who became parents despite unexplained infertility
Many people who experienced unexplained infertility became parents despite their struggles. If you are in the middle of a treatment process, it may help to read personal stories from couples who struggled with infertility but still managed to fulfil their dream of a child. Follow the links below to read personal stories about conceiving despite infertility: