Infertility is a major concern for many couples, and while the problem has always existed, the last decade has brought more public awareness to the issue. Many celebrities, such as Marcia Cross of Desperate Housewives and Courtney Cox-Arquette of Friends and Cougartown have had struggles with infertility. High profile cases of multiple births—such as the case with Jon and Kate Goselin, as well as the infamous “Octomom” Nadya Suleman—also brought fertility discussions into the mainstream.
It’s a positive development that fertility treatment is coming out in the open. For those who long for a child, infertility is nothing short of heartbreaking. Marriages are put to the test. Some people give up on having a biological child and turn to adoption. But people have lately become aware that they are not alone in their struggles. The Center for Disease Control estimates seven million women between 15 and 44 have an impaired ability to give birth. About two million married women in the same age group have tried unsuccessfully to conceive without fertility treatments.
San Diego Is No Different
In San Diego, many couples have decided they need help and have turned to San Diego fertility clinics to discuss their options as they seek to start a family. Thankfully, great strides have been made both in fertility treatments and in infertility diagnosis. A San Diego fertility specialist can determine your specific situation and guide you to the best course of action.
What Are Your Options
Certain fertility drugs can promote ovulation. Clomiphene, for example, induces ovulation in women and may sometimes increase sperm count in men. Gonadotropins, normally administered by injection over several days, cause increased egg production. The first injections cause eggs to be produced, and later injections help with the release of those eggs. Bromocriptine helps those who have trouble ovulating due to pituitary adenoma, a benign tumor in the pituitary gland that releases too much prolactin, reducing estrogen levels and preventing natural ovulation. Once these hormonal levels are normal, many couples are able to conceive without further treatment.
Another possible treatment is intrauterine insemination (IUI). For IUI, the sperm are placed directly into the uterus during ovulation. Often, this option is used in conjunction with fertility drugs. Another option, in vitro fertilization (IVF), involves manipulating ovulation, retrieving eggs so they can be fertilized outside the woman’s body. The eggs are then returned to the uterus. While this procedure gets a lot of media exposure, it is long and complex. Like other fertility treatments, it can have mixed results so it is important to choose an experienced provider.
If you’re concerned about fertility, we can help. A San Diego fertility specialist can discuss all your options, including egg donors and surrogacy, to help you bring a new addition to your home.
