Infertility in Men

A common misconception is that infertility is only a female problem. In fact, for almost 50% of infertile couples, the cause is related to the male partner (either alone or in addition to a female factor).

When a couple has fertility concerns, Boston IVF recommends that both the male and female partner have full consultations in order to determine the most effective treatment approach.

Infertility in Women

Female infertility can result from a range of factors. Your Boston IVF doctor can work with you to determine the cause of your infertility and the best treatment options. Common causes of female infertility include:

Tubal Conditions
Problems with fertility may arise if a woman’s fallopian tubes have been damaged by pelvic infection, previous tubal pregnancy or ruptured appendix. Most women with tubal problems benefit from in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Ovulation Disorders
Most women ovulate every 21 to 35 days. Women with cycles greater than 35 days are considered to have oligo-ovulation. Those who do not ovulate at all have anovulation. Medical therapy is often successful in these cases.

Age and Infertility
Advanced age is now the leading cause of infertility in the United States. For women, age-related infertility results from a decrease in the number and quality of her eggs over time.

Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where normal uterine tissue grows outside the uterus. Laparoscopy, a minor outpatient surgical procedure, is the most common treatment for endometriosis.

Cervical Abnormalities
Abnormalities of the cervix affect fertility. One of the most common causes is prior surgery on the cervix (such as a cone biopsy or laser therapy to treat cervical cancer). Treatment includes intrauterine insemination and IVF.

Uterine Abnormalities
Abnormalities to the shape of the uterus can also impact fertility. Some of these include scar tissue, polyps or fibroids. Hysteroscopy or a laparoscopy can be used to treat many uterine abnormalities.