Infertility treatment can be frustrating, sometimes intensely so. Patients will wonder how long it will take to receive test results, why a treatment failed, why one test is needed over another, are they taking advantage of all available financial resources, and is a particular treatment plan really the best plan for them.

These are all valid, perfectly understandable concerns that can lead to frustration – either with the process or with the results.

Among the deepest sources of frustration and emotional distress in the fertility treatment process are cases in which specialists simply cannot explain why you and your partner cannot conceive.

This situation is known as unexplained infertility, meaning there is no known cause for your infertility, even with rounds of testing and trial and error found via treatment.

Now what?
Once patients have the opportunity to process their unexplained infertility diagnosis, the first question is: Now what? The first step patients can take is to obtain a second opinion. Fertility Solutions is happy to offer patients coming from another facility with a second opinion on their diagnosis. The benefit of getting a second opinion is having another fertility specialist take a look at your previous testing and/or treatment plan with a fresh set of eyes. Perhaps it’s been a few years since the last semen analysis or other test results, and those should be revisited.

A second opinion may recommend additional testing or an alternative treatment plan. It is ultimately up to you and your partner to decide which route to take.

Possible treatment options

• In vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment may be recommended in cases of unexplained infertility. IVF transfers an embryo created in a laboratory directly into the female patient’s uterus.
• Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) may be recommended if a known genetic condition is suspected or was not previously tested for. PGD can be used to screen for genetic and chromosomal disorders.
• Egg donation may be recommended if the quality of the female partner’s eggs are of concern.
• Gestational surrogacy may be recommended in cases where the female patient is able to conceive, either naturally or with fertility treatment, but experiences recurrent miscarriage and is unable to successfully carry a pregnancy.

Every couple is different. What works for one couple facing an unexplained infertility diagnosis may not be the right treatment for another couple. Your medical history, family history and previous treatment(s) will all need to be taken into account. It’s very important that couples understand the experience Fertility Solutions’ physicians have with unexplained infertility, and that the journey doesn’t end if your physician cannot determine an exact cause for the inability to conceive.