Understanding Infertility

Unexplained infertility occurs when the source of infertility cannot be identified. This happens after all diagnostic test have been completed and still no cause is blatant. This occurs is 15-50% of infertile couples.[1]

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Although the cause of infertility remains unknown, the treatment starts just like the normal course for anyone else. The first step is Clomid – a drug to induce ovulation and try with timed intercourse (TI). If three cycles of this fails, intrauterine insemination (IUI) is recommended.

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Usually after three rounds of unsuccessful IUI, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the next recommended step. IVF is the easiest way to see if there are any issues that may not appear on preliminary testing. One study showed that IVF produced the highest resulting pregnancy rates compared to TI and IUI.[2] However, IVF can be expensive or emotionally difficult for some couples; therefore, consulting with your doctor based on various factors is the best course of action.

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For more information on Clomid, IUI, or IVF, please visit the associate pages in the menu above.

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