What is infertility?
Infertility is the condition of not being able to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after 12 months of trying to conceive. Usually due to complications in the reproductive system of a woman, man or both partners, infertility can affect people both in prime childbearing years and older. If you are under 35 and have not been able to conceive after 12 months of trying or over 35 and have not been able to conceive after six months of trying, you may want to visit a reproductive endocrinologist or OB/GYN to fully assess and diagnose health variables contributing to infertility.
Is infertility common?
You’re not alone. According to the American Pregnancy Association, approximately 10 percent of American couples of childbearing age struggle with infertility, and 25 percent have more than one infertility problem. Infertility rates can be difficult to determine, due to the presence of both male and female factors, but it is a condition that many Americans of different childbearing years face.
What causes fertility issues in women?
The most common cause of infertility in women is age, as egg quality and quantity decrease over time, common in women 35 years and older. Other common causes of female infertility:
- Fallopian tubal blockage or damage
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Endometriosis
- Uterine fibroids
- Nutrient deficient diet
- Smoking or drinking
- Hormonal imbalances
- Being overweight or underweight
How often are men infertile?
About a third of all infertility cases involve male fertility issues. A semen analysis or anti-sperm antibody test can determine if there is a problem with the sperm. Male fertility treatments are available to assist in your conception plan.
Will my insurance cover infertility treatments?
Some insurance companies cover fertility treatments, while others do not. Please call our office at (210) 616-0680 to speak with our financial coordinator to learn more about financial options for our fertility treatments. We can help you determine if your insurance covers treatment and discuss your finance options.
I’m not ready to have kids now. How do I protect my fertility for the future?
Preservation methods like egg and sperm freezing are elective options that offer men and women under the age of 35 the chance to achieve reproductive dependability. Egg freezing is a process that stores healthy, unfertilized eggs for years to come so couples are not pressured to conceive at an inopportune time.
What can I do to protect my fertility if I’m about to undergo cancer treatment?
Cancer and cancer treatments can significantly affect fertility and the body’s hormone system. If you or your partner is diagnosed with cancer and have to undergo cancer treatments, you can opt for egg preservation methods much the same way you would to normally plan for a later pregnancy. Our fertility preservation options, including egg vitrification, can be effectively employed prior to chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. Our procedures frequently work even if the patient doesn’t come in until after cancer treatments have started. Men undergoing surgery or cancer treatment also have fertility preservation options, including sperm banking, testicular tissue freezing and testicular sperm extraction.
Where can I find donor eggs or sperm?
We partner with an exclusive egg bank and five sperm donor banks that can help you find the right donor. We can also help you find gestational carriers and surrogates. We partner with the following donor organizations:
- Fairfax Egg Bank
- Fairfax Cryobank
- Egg Donor Solutions
- California Cryo Sperm Bank
- Xytex Cryo International Sperm Bank
- Zygen Sperm Bank
- New England Cryogenic Center
What pharmacies should I use?
We have a relationship with the following specialized fertility pharmaceutical companies:
- Freedom Fertility Pharmacy
- MDR
- Avella