Diagnosis and treatment of infertility have been made possible by the availability of a variety of testing and treatment options in clinics that specialize in fertility consulting in Canada. However, the cause of infertility may remain unclear even after several tests. Infertility whose cause is unclear is commonly referred to as unexplained infertility. More than 50% of Canadian fertility patients have unexplained infertility. In this article, we explain what unexplained infertility is and highlight some of the available treatment options in Canada.
Common Causes of Infertility
If you are over 35 years and you have been unsuccessful in conceiving after trying within 6-12 months, it may be advisable to seek help from a fertility specialist.
Your infertility may be a result of any or a combination of the following reasons:
Poor Egg Quality
Uterine or Cervical Dysfunction
Ovulation Disorders, e.g., PCOS
Reduced sperm quality/quantity
Hormonal Conditions
Endometriosis
Blocked Fallopian Tubes
Reduced Ovarian Reserve
What Is Unexplained Infertility
Unexplained infertility is described by most physicians as the inability to get pregnant or impregnate a woman without a medically diagnosable cause.
Unexplained infertility can present as:
Primary Unexplained Infertility
Secondary Unexplained Infertility
Primary Unexplained Infertility
This refers to a scenario where pregnancy has never been achieved in the past.
Secondary Unexplained Infertility
Secondary unexplained fertility is where a pregnancy has been achieved before
Some patients have unexplained infertility, yet they have regular ovulation cycles, open fallopian tubes, a normal uterus, ideal sperm quality, a balanced hormone profile, and appropriately timed intercourse.
Causes Of Unexplained Infertility
Poor egg quality
Subtle endometriosis
Reduced embryo quality and poor embryo development
Problems in egg and sperm interactions during fertilization
Poor sperm quality
Infections
Subtle fallopian tube abnormalities
Improper embryo and womb interactions during implantation
Immunological factors
Can I Get Pregnant With Unexplained Infertility?
Yes, patients with unexplained infertility may conceive without medical intervention. Your chances of conceiving naturally are, however, lower if you have unexplained infertility. Fertility treatments can help you conceive and have a healthy pregnancy.
Treatment Options for Unexplained Infertility
The unexplained fertility treatment is tailored for every patient’s needs.
Here are some of the most common treatments for unexplained infertility:
Preconception Care
A preconception program that includes the following can improve your egg and sperm quality:
Stress Reduction
Fertility Diet and
Lifestyle Enhancements
Prioritizing Sleep
Exercise Regime
Fertility Acupuncture
Fertility Supplements
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
IUI involves the following process:
Fertility drugs are administered to help the ovaries ovulate
High-quality sperms are processed in the lab
The sperm is placed in the uterus closer to the eggs
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
IVF can be recommended either when IUI is unsuccessful or if your physician believes it will not be helpful to you.
Because IVF happens outside the body:
Fertility doctors can examine processes and factors that may not be possible in a natural conception.
It is possible to visualize the quality of eggs and sperm as well as how they interact during fertilization.
It allows fertility doctors to study the eggs, sperm, and embryos more closely, giving them a better idea of why you could struggle to conceive.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
During the ICSI procedure, sperm is directly injected into the egg hence bypassing the need for the sperm to penetrate the egg on its own. This procedure can be an option for those who are unable to achieve fertilization through IVF.
Fertility consulting in Canada
Emotional support may help infertility patients build resilience during their treatment journey. Fertility counselling can help provide such emotional support. At Fertility Match, we have a team of specialists who support our fertility patients throughout their treatment journey.
If you are struggling with unexplained infertility, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Fertility Match for the guidance and care you may need to overcome your struggles.
