Unexplained infertility occurs when a fertility doctor cannot find a diagnosable cause for patient infertility. If a patient cannot get pregnant after one year, or six months if they’re over 35 years, they should seek a fertility expert. The meeting will involve an evaluation of the patient’s medical history, lifestyle, and general routines. The doctor will also perform a comprehensive diagnosis to determine the cause of infertility. In some cases, the diagnosis might reveal no apparent reason.
Causes of Unexplained Infertility
Unexplained infertility occurs when all known tests come up with no results. The doctor can’t determine uterine abnormalities, structural issues, fallopian tube obstructions, or egg count issues. If the patient’s ovulations are normal and their partner’s semen analysis is normal, the doctor may not have an immediate answer.
A second diagnosis may be necessary since underdiagnosis is a common reason for unexplained male and female infertility. Conditions like endometriosis, thick cervical mucus, and poor egg/sperm quality can also result in unclear infertility. Leading fertility doctors will conduct a comprehensive evaluation, including the patient’s intercourse timing, overall health, uterine lining checks, and more.
Here are three causes of unexplained female infertility:
1. Underdiagnosis
Even the best fertility doctors don’t know all the conditions affecting fertility. Researchers are continually studying to learn new information about the processes and conditions that affect fertility. Most clinics will perform standard tests, including blood work, imaging, and medical history review. Some issues may not come up in the initial diagnosis but may be the underlying cause of a patient’s infertility.
Celiac disease, diabetes, and thyroid issues can also impact fertility. A patient may not be able to fully treat infertility if such conditions aren’t properly diagnosed. Doctors seek to reveal all potential causes of infertility to avoid underdiagnosis. Alternative treatments can also help patients realize their parental dreams.
A fertility doctor will still devise a plan to help their patients achieve natural pregnancy and birth. The doctor may recommend ARTs (Assisted Reproductive Technologies) like IVF and IUI if natural pregnancy is impossible. Partners can also consider donors and surrogates.
2. Endometriosis
Women have endometrial cells and tissues that grow in the uterus during ovulation. The tissues can help fertilized eggs attach to the uterus for successful implantation.
If fertilization and implantation don’t occur, the endometrial tissues will break apart and shed as part of the menses. Endometriosis is when the endometrial cells grow elsewhere, like in the fallopian tubes and cervix.
Even mild cases of endometriosis can prevent patients from getting pregnant. The cells will still grow and shed but may get trapped, blocking the egg’s path. Endometrial cells grow and shed every month, so a fertility doctor may recommend surgery to remove them and free the egg’s path. Patients can also use treatments like IVF (in vitro fertilization) to implant a healthy embryo into the uterus.
3. Poor Sperm/Egg Quality
Egg quality deteriorates as women grow older. Females are born with all their eggs, which develop to maturity and are released monthly from puberty to menopause.
As women age, their eggs will also age, and the egg quality will decrease. Getting pregnant can get more challenging as they approach menopause. Diseases and infections can also affect egg quality. Fertility clinics can use ultrasound and other tools to count and evaluate the quality of a woman’s eggs.
Sperm quality also impacts the ability to get pregnant. Some sperm cells are unable to penetrate the eggs. Others have high morbidity. A semen analysis can reveal sperm count and quality issues that may cause infertility. Poor sperm and egg quality can result in incomplete fertilization and chromosomal pairings. A bad-quality embryo won’t attach properly or last the first few days after fertilization.
Seek Help for Unexplained Infertility
Infertility can stem from other unclear reasons not diagnosed during the early evaluation. Thick cervical mucus or inflammation in the uterine lining can make it hard for the sperm to travel to the eggs. Infrequent and poorly timed intercourse may also reduce the likelihood of pregnancy.People with unexplained infertility should seek treatment in order to quickly diagnose any conditions. Being diagnosed with unexplained infertility doesn’t imply that a woman won’t get pregnant. Working with a fertility expert can help women explore the best options.