What To Know About IVF

Getting pregnant when you want to is not necessarily easy. If you are having difficulty conceiving, you could be dealing with infertility. Fertility treatments, such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) could help. Dr. Gabriel Guajardo, the experienced gynecologist at our practice in Brownsville, can discuss fertility treatments, such as IVF, and help you decide on the best option for you.

Causes of Infertility

Infertility is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the inability to naturally conceive after attempting to do so through unprotected sex for a period of one year or longer. Female infertility can be caused by several factors, including:

• Aging
• Hormone imbalances
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• History of multiple miscarriages
• Family history of infertility
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Blocked fallopian tubes
• Endometriosis
• Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy

Difficulty conceiving is not always due to factors affecting the woman. Various issues or conditions can interfere with male fertility, such as a low sperm count or varicocele, which is a condition in which the scrotum is swollen. Other factors that can affect male fertility include cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, and a family history of testicular or prostate cancer.

Fertility Evaluations

We perform fertility evaluations to help determine what factors might be interfering with your ability to become pregnant. We recommend coming in for a fertility evaluation if you are age 35 years or younger and have been trying to conceive for one year or are age 35 years or older and have been trying to conceive for six months. Depending on the results of your evaluation, fertility treatment might be recommended. Fertility testing includes:

• Review of both you and your partner’s medical histories
• A complete physical examination
• Pelvic ultrasound and exam
• Biopsy of the uterine lining
• Blood tests

In-Vitro Fertilization

We offer several fertility treatments at our office in Brownsville, including IVF which is a type of assisted reproductive technology. IVF involves the retrieval of eggs and sperm from the couple. The eggs and sperm are then taken to a lab for fertilization. After an egg has been successfully fertilized, it can be implanted inside the woman’s uterus. There, the fertilized egg can grown and develop on its own naturally.

During the IVF process, it can take a few weeks or months before egg retrieval is possible. Additionally, it is common to undergo several IVF cycle attempts before becoming pregnant. If an attempt is unsuccessful, it is usually best to until one to two menstrual cycles have passed before beginning another IVF cycle.

It is also important to avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, taking herbal supplements, or engaging in intense exercise or physical activities during the IVF process. The doctor might also advise you to stop taking certain prescription or over-the-counter medications.

If you are struggling with infertility, IVF could help you finally become pregnant. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Guajardo to discuss IVF and other fertility treatments by calling our office in Brownsville at (956) 350-4821.