Each month we host a free, live online seminar where patients can ask the physicians of Fertility Solutions questions about infertility. The topic for November is ‘Unexplained Infertility’. Topics change monthly, with our last two seminars focusing on ovulation disorders and decreased ovarian reserve. View the live Q & A chat about unexplained infertility:
Unexplained Infertility(11/09/2011)
7:01
Welcome to Fertility Solutions Live Chat on the topic of unexplained infertility.
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:01
7:02
After other causes such as tubal factor, male factor or ovulatory factor are ruled out, unexplained infertility may account for 10 to 20 percent of couples who have trouble conceiving.
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:02
7:03
[Comment From Anne W. Anne W. : ]
Hi, what do you have to say about unexplained infertility?
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:03 Anne W.
7:06
To really know if you fall into the category of unexplained infertility, a reputable fertility specialist will want to take a complete menstrual cycle history, reproductive history (if there were previous pregnancies) and medical history. Then your doctor can suggest directed testing beyond the basic evaluation: hormonal tests, a uterine and tubal evaluation and a sperm test.
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:06
7:07
[Comment From karl karl : ]
I want to know about unexplained infertility
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:07 karl
7:07
Do you have a specific question?
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:07
7:09
[Comment From karl karl : ]
no I’m try to get a understanding about it
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:09 karl
7:09
[Comment From sarah sarah : ]
Can irregular menstrual cycle be reason for unexplained infertility?
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:09 sarah
7:11
No, an irregular menstrual cycle may be a reflection of a hormonal or ovulatory problem. I wouldn’t define this as unexplained infertility, but there are certainly many treatments for women with irregular ovulation or anovulation (no ovulation). We would need to find out the reason why your cycles are irregular.
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:11
7:11
[Comment From Anne W. Anne W. : ]
I’m 37 and never got pregnant. Doctors can’t explain what
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:11 Anne W.
7:14
Sometimes doctors categorize patients as having unexplained infertility but what they mean is that there are no obvious reasons for the infertility such as blocked tubes, pelvic adhesion, irregular ovulation or low sperm concentration and motility. But the decrease in pregnancy rates with increasing age is in itself a cause of infertility. Women have a higher percentage of genetically abnormal eggs as they get older.
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:14
7:15
[Comment From Rachel Rachel : ]
If you get fertility testing at one place and they say it is unexplained should you get a second opinion
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:15 Rachel
7:17
This is a good question. If you feel that your doctor was not able to explain why she or he ordered the particular tests and why he or she felt these tests were not revealing, then a second opinion may be helpful. It depends on how comfortable you feel with the communication and knowledge of your doctor.
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:17
7:19
Sometimes unexplained infertility is explained at the time of an IVF cycle. Although fertility specialists often use empiric treatment such as clomid or gonadotropins to increase the number of eggs and increase the chances of pregnancy, when you do not get pregnant, you don’t really know why.
In the IVF lab , you can look at egg quality, the rate of fertilization and the rate of growth and quality of embryos.
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:19
7:20
[Comment From sarah sarah : ]
How many days after the menstrual cycle, ovulation actually takes place?
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:20 sarah
7:23
When you ovulated differs from person to person and sometimes from cycle to cycle. If you have fairly regular cycles, the follicular phase (time from period to ovulation) can vary but the luteal phase (time from ovulation to period) is usually two weeks. You can estimate when you ovulated during the previous cycle by subtracting two weeks from the date you started your period.
A more accurate estimate of ovulation can be given if you use a urine ovulation predictor kit or have blood work drawn for hormones.
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:23
7:24
[Comment From Nancy Nancy : ]
If my tubes were cut and burned what are the chances that an infertility clinic can help?? Or can it really help??
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:24 Nancy
7:26
This is not really part of the unexplained infertility topic, but a board certified reproductive specialist and surgeon can certainly help! Depending on the type of procedure you had, your doctor can explore whether a surgery to repair the tubes (tubal reanastomosis) or IVF is the better option. Also your age and desire for more than one child will impact what recommendation is given.
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:26
7:30
IF you are willing to consider, IVF IVF is also highly effective for unexplained infertility, especially if you are under the age of 35. The clinical pregnancy rate for women
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:30
7:30
[Comment From Rachel Rachel : ]
If you are stressed out about trying to pregnant could that also cause unexplained infertility
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:30 Rachel
7:33
I don’t think that stress is the only reason that causes unexplained infertility, but certainly infertility of any kind can cause personal and marital stress. Many patients find relaxation exercises as part of a mind-body program, doing yoga or having acupuncture to be helpful. Counseling with a mental health specialist who has experience with treating clients with infertility issues can be very useful. Make sure that you reach out to your providers if you are having stress and need recommendations.
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:33
7:36
Thank you so much for joining the Fertility Solutions live chat. I hope you found it to be helpful, please use the survey and pass the word about our website, practice or live chat. Please join us next Wed Dec 9th for the next topic of endometriosis.
Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:36
7:36
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Wednesday November 9, 2011 7:36
10:59