Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

At her practice, Dr Aneeqah Hendricks investigates the causes of infertility and strives to treat it. She has an interest in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, which is a subspecialty that addresses hormonal functioning as it applies to reproduction and infertility. Infertility can be described as the inability to fall pregnant after one to two years of regular, unprotected intercourse. The evaluation of infertility may be started sooner in patients who have medical risk factors for infertility, or if the patient is older than 35.

Causes of infertility include uterine abnormalities, tubal obstruction, cervical issues, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or ovulatory dysfunction. In women, most cases of infertility are caused by problems with ovulation. Without ovulation, there are no eggs to be fertilized. Signals that a woman is not ovulating include irregular or absent menstrual periods.

Usually, a medical history is taken, and a physical examination is done to help direct the evaluation. Serum progesterone level measurements monitor ovulation on day 21 of a woman's cycle. Imaging procedures such as hysterosalpingography may be used to view the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes. Typically, a hysteroscopy is recommended for patients with a history of endometriosis, pelvic infections, or ectopic pregnancy. Women with anovulation may be treated with drugs that induce ovulation. If your fallopian tubes are blocked by large amounts of scar tissue treatment to remove the blockages may not be possible. Surgery to repair tubes damaged by ectopic pregnancy or infection may be an option. Women with unexplained infertility may be advised to try another year of unprotected intercourse, or they may move on to assisted reproductive technologies, such as intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization.

Men usually have their semen analyzed. If the reason for not conceiving was because of sperm abnormalities, gonadotropin therapy might be used.

Contact Dr Hendricks office to assist you with your fertility issues.