What is Unexplained Infertility, and How to Treat It?
Unexplained infertility in females is a condition where the three key factors required for conception appear normal: ovulation is occurring, the woman’s fallopian tubes are open, and the man’s semen analysis shows no issues, yet despite these seemingly ideal conditions, pregnancy remains elusive. This makes the couples trying to get pregnant perplexed and stressed.
However, there is always hope and various treatment options to explore. Before that, let us understand the fundamentals of unexplained infertility.
The Concept of Unexplained Infertility
To understand the concept of unexplained infertility, let’s dive into the numbers. Each month, a healthy couple trying to conceive has about a 15% chance of success. By the end of a year of trying, approximately 80% of such couples achieve pregnancy. An additional 10% succeed within the next 5-7 months without any assisted methods. Of the remaining 10% who undergo infertility evaluation 30% would face the enigma of unexplained infertility, where conception remains vague despite good health and all apparent factors aligning perfectly.
These are the couples who require advanced infertility treatment.
So now let’s dive into in-depth understanding and the treatment options in detail.
What are the Factors Potentially Affecting Unexplained Infertility?
Several factors could contribute to unexplained infertility in females:
- Egg Quality: The quality of eggs may not be optimal.
- Tubal Functionality: Even with open tubes, their function may be impaired.
- Fusion of Egg and Sperm: Proper fusion of egg and sperm may not be occurring.
- Sperm Quality: The quality of sperm destined to meet the egg.
- Uterine Lining Receptivity: Issues with the lining where the embryo implants after fusion.
- Lifestyle & Diet
- Mental stress affecting the hormonal environment.
Any of these factors could be the underlying reason for unexplained infertility.
Treatment Journey for Unexplained Infertility
Treatment for unexplained infertility usually begins after the first year of trying without success. Remarkably, with proper guidance, approximately 50% of couples manage to conceive naturally in the following year without any definitive fertility treatment. The remaining would need more sophisticated treatments and intensive monitoring to enhance chances of getting pregnant. It’s important to note that during this period, the more intricate factors responsible for unexplained infertility in females, as mentioned above, aren’t normally examined, and even if they were, treatment approaches wouldn’t significantly change.
Options for Unexplained Infertility Treatment
Lifestyle Management along with the following should help couples conceive.
Ovulation Induction:
Using medicines to stimulate the ovaries to make more than one egg enhances the chances of conception. Ovulation induction medicines ensure ovulation occurs consistently, with the added benefit of precise timing through follicular monitoring.
Ovulation Induction Combined with IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
This combination of unexplained infertility treatment creates a more defined fertile window and increases the chances of conception, especially if more than one egg is produced. It also gives an added advantage of washing the semen sample and placing it inside the uterine cavity at the time of egg release. Each cycle of IUI has around 18 percent chances of pregnancy. Usually it is advised to undergo 3-4 cycles of IUI before deciding on IVF-ICSI treatment.
IVF ICSI (In Vitro Fertilization with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
In cases where previous treatments haven’t worked, IVF ICSI provides a comprehensive solution. It addresses factors such as egg quality, tubal functionality, sperm quality, and fusion-related issues. Most of the potential factors working against the conception, as mentioned earlier, are approached and addressed through this method, highly increasing the chances of conception. Therefore, it would be appropriate to say that IVF ICSI stands as the most effective treatment option for unexplained infertility in females, more so with females of advanced age, low egg reserve, longer duration of infertility.
Culminating Thoughts
If you’ve been trying to conceive for over a year without success, it’s time to consult with a qualified IVF specialist. Dr. Rhythm Gupta, an experienced IVF specialist in Delhi, can help you understand the causes of unexplained infertility and guide you toward the right treatment for your individual condition. It is time to plan your family now with a result-oriented approach.
