Creating a new life is a time-honored blessing. At the same time, infertility rates seem to be on the rise.
The good news is there are many fertility routes available today for couples trying to conceive. The bad news is sometimes unexplained fertility problems may arise.
More couples than ever utilize an array of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART); both with and without complementary or alternative support. Other couples are trying to overcome medical limitations of various kinds that appear to be interfering with successful pregnancy.
Unexplained Fertility Problems
Despite all these efforts, a surprising number of couples are suffering because of having been told they have an unexplained fertility problem. What’s more, trying to conceive can be an expensive venture, sometimes costing in the tens of thousands of dollars.
It is therefore vital to optimize the chances of success, especially because conception assistance programs may not have anywhere near as high a success rate as hoped.
How can we optimize our chances of success? Well, that is a good question. Everyone trying to conceive falls on a spectrum of life energy and intention energy that is somewhere between fertility and infertility. Knowing where one is on that spectrum is crucial.
Even though highly experienced fertility doctors and practitioners are aware of this, most rarely assess or sufficiently treat this key fertility factor. The women and couples I have assisted for over a decade with fertility and pregnancy issues have taught me that this seems to be the missing link in the pursuit of fertility – the key fertility factor.
Understanding Unexplained Infertility in Females
Unexplained infertility in females is a perplexing reproductive condition where a woman faces difficulty conceiving, yet after a thorough evaluation, no definitive cause can be identified. It can be a frustrating and emotionally challenging journey for couples seeking to start a family.
Definition of Unexplained Infertility
Unexplained infertility is typically diagnosed when all standard fertility tests, including hormonal evaluations, ovarian reserve assessments, hysterosalpingograms, and other relevant examinations, appear normal. This diagnosis is essentially one of exclusion, where all known factors contributing to infertility have been ruled out, but conception remains elusive.
Possible Contributing Factors
Although the exact cause of unexplained infertility is not always clear, several factors may play a role in this condition:
- Subtle Hormonal Imbalances: Some women may have minor hormonal imbalances that are difficult to detect through standard tests. These imbalances can affect ovulation and the quality of cervical mucus, making it more challenging for sperm to reach the egg.
- Pelvic Adhesions or Endometriosis: Sometimes, minor pelvic adhesions or endometriosis may not be evident on routine examinations but can still impact fertility by affecting egg quality, fertilization, or implantation.
- Immunological Factors: The body’s immune response to pregnancy may vary from person to person. In some cases, an overactive immune system may inadvertently hinder implantation or lead to early miscarriages.
- Lifestyle and Environmental Factors: Lifestyle choices, such as stress, obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption, can influence fertility. Exposure to environmental toxins may also contribute to unexplained infertility.
Unexplained infertility in females is a challenging condition that requires a comprehensive and patient-centered approach to diagnosis and treatment. While the specific cause may remain elusive, exploring the potential contributing factors, making lifestyle adjustments, and considering assisted reproductive technologies can provide hope and increase the chances of achieving a successful pregnancy.
Exploring Unexplained Fertility in Males
Unexplained fertility in males is a condition in which a man faces difficulty in fathering a child, but after a thorough evaluation, no definitive cause can be identified. While female infertility is often the primary focus, male fertility issues can also play a significant role in a couple’s struggles to conceive.
Definition of Unexplained Fertility in Males
Unexplained fertility in males is typically diagnosed when a comprehensive evaluation of a man’s reproductive health, including semen analysis and medical history, does not reveal any apparent issues. It represents a challenging scenario where the cause of infertility remains unknown despite a detailed examination.
Potential Contributing Factors
Several factors may play a role in unexplained fertility in males:
- Subtle Sperm Quality Issues: Some men may have subtle sperm quality issues that are not evident through standard semen analysis. These may include abnormalities in sperm shape (morphology), movement (motility), or DNA fragmentation.
- Immune Factors: Immunological factors can influence fertility. An overactive immune response may affect sperm quality or motility, hindering fertilization.
- Lifestyle and Environmental Factors: Choices such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and exposure to environmental toxins can affect male fertility. Stress and poor dietary habits may also play a role.
- Genetic and Hormonal Factors: In some cases, genetic abnormalities or subtle hormonal imbalances may impact male fertility, making it difficult to identify through routine tests.
Unexplained fertility in males can be a perplexing and challenging condition, but it is not insurmountable. Through a combination of lifestyle modifications, advanced sperm testing, immune system assessments, and assisted reproductive technologies, couples can increase their chances of achieving a successful pregnancy.
Environment
I love using the analogy of a flower or vegetable garden because everyone knows that the right environment is needed in order to reap the rewards of a garden. Any avid gardener will tell you there are specific types of energy required for enjoying a productive and fertile outcome.
The soil needs to be healthy, fertilized, tilled and tended. The right amount of water, air and sunshine are also needed. And, weeds need to be kept out of the garden. Only when all these forms of energy are provided can a seed be planted that will root, grow, and develop into a beautiful, healthy garden. The more these ingredients are missing, the more the results are likely to suffer.
The same is true when creating a fertile internal garden in which the seeds of life can be successfully planted and nurtured.
The equivalent of healthy, tilled and tended soil is balancing your life energy in favor of successful conception and pregnancy. The equivalent of fertilizer is maintaining clear and non-conflicted intention energy; not only hormonal balance and proper nutrition. Pulling the weeds means removing unhealthy energy, conflicted intentions and other blocks that may exist.
Women having difficulty conceiving tend to not realize that their life is their garden, not merely their womb. Many women’s lives tend to be jam-packed with work; or they are so stressed they don’t have an extra moment to nurture themselves in a day’s time. Or they have become so out-of-balance emotionally, that these emotional weeds are choking out the potential for seeding and sprouting.
In other words, their energy is not conducive to creating a garden in which successful conception and pregnancy can occur. There is nothing mystifying at all about why so many of these women have fertility problems or miscarriages: their “fertility switch” is “off!” When on a fertility journey, it is vitally important to make choices that women, and their men as well, to begin tipping their life energy in favor of fertility.
Intention Energy
A place to begin this tipping process is with a particular type of energy on the energy spectrum, called intention energy. Intention means being deliberate and purposeful. Obviously, successful conception and birth is an intention. The problem is that, on the spectrum of fertility and infertility, many women do not know that they have been tipping their scales in favor of infertility.
They do not recognize how their worry, despair, sadness and fear about their unsuccessful efforts (in addition to other issues they have) are energies tilting their momentum away from getting pregnant. Their hope, trust and knowing that they can become a mother become hard-to-see specks of light.
If this has occurred for you, your energy is favoring infertility. Here is the fertility key: To access fertility, you must have the largest portion of your life energy and intention energy favoring fertility. Your intention and focus needs some redirection.
This is not always easy to do because it is emotionally painful to want a baby and start a cycle every month, or to want a baby and fail one or more IVF cycles, or to miscarry.
Being effectively intentional and focused is a learned skill. Learned skills require knowing what to practice, and then practicing them. What you want to learn and practice is effective ways of turning your infertility switch “off” and your fertility switch “on.” I wish you fertile blessings on your journey.
Diagnosing Unexplained Infertility
Diagnosing unexplained infertility can be a challenging and frustrating process, but it is a crucial step in the journey toward parenthood.
Comprehensive Medical History
To begin the diagnostic process, your healthcare provider will take a thorough medical history from both partners. This includes questions about your menstrual cycles, sexual activity, previous pregnancies, and any lifestyle factors that may affect fertility. An extensive history can reveal potential contributing factors and guide further testing.
Basic Fertility Testing
Standard fertility tests are often the first step in diagnosing unexplained infertility. These tests include evaluating hormone levels (such as FSH, LH, and estradiol), assessing ovarian reserve through tests like AMH, and analyzing sperm quality in men through a semen analysis. These initial tests can rule out common causes of infertility.
Ovulation Tracking
Tracking ovulation is essential, as irregular or absent ovulation can contribute to unexplained infertility. Ovulation prediction kits and monitoring basal body temperature can help determine if and when ovulation is occurring.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
An HSG is a specialized X-ray procedure in which a contrast dye is injected into the uterus to check for any blockages or abnormalities in the fallopian tubes and the uterine cavity. This test can identify issues like blocked tubes or uterine abnormalities.
Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy
In some cases, a healthcare provider may recommend laparoscopy and hysteroscopy procedures to examine the reproductive organs directly. Laparoscopy assesses the abdominal and pelvic areas, while hysteroscopy examines the uterine cavity. These minimally invasive procedures can uncover subtle abnormalities not detected by other tests.
Male Factor Assessment
Semen analysis may need to be repeated to ensure accurate results, as sperm quality can vary. Additionally, advanced male fertility tests, like sperm DNA fragmentation testing, can provide a more comprehensive assessment of male fertility.
Genetic Testing
Some cases of unexplained infertility may have underlying genetic factors. Genetic testing may be recommended to identify genetic abnormalities that could affect fertility.
Diagnosing unexplained infertility can be a complex and sometimes frustrating process. However, a thorough and systematic approach involving medical history, basic fertility tests, specialized procedures, and genetic testing can help healthcare professionals rule out potential causes and provide the necessary information for developing a personalized treatment plan.
Keep in mind that unexplained infertility doesn’t necessarily mean that you will never conceive; it merely implies that the specific cause is yet to be identified. Working closely with a reproductive specialist can provide you with the best chance of addressing your unexplained infertility and achieving your goal of parenthood.
How to Address Unexplained Infertility?
Dealing with unexplained infertility can be a frustrating and disheartening experience for many couples. When standard fertility tests reveal no clear underlying issues, it’s essential to explore various approaches that can help increase your chances of conceiving. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there are several strategies and treatments available to address unexplained infertility and improve your odds of achieving a successful pregnancy.
Lifestyle Modifications
One of the first steps to address unexplained infertility is to make positive changes to your lifestyle. This can include maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and managing stress. Being at a healthy weight and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are also crucial. These changes can enhance your overall reproductive health and make your body more fertile.
Fertility Medications
Your doctor may prescribe fertility medications, such as Clomiphene citrate (Clomid) or Letrozole, to stimulate ovulation. These medications can help regulate your menstrual cycle and increase your chances of conceiving.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
IUI is a procedure in which sperm is placed directly into the uterus, bypassing the cervix. This method can improve the chances of fertilization for some couples dealing with unexplained infertility.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
IVF is a more advanced fertility treatment option. It involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory, and then implanting the embryo into the uterus. IVF is a highly effective method for unexplained infertility, as it bypasses potential barriers to conception.
Addressing Specific Issues
Sometimes, the cause of unexplained infertility may be related to subtle, undetectable issues. In such cases, techniques like hysteroscopy or laparoscopy can help identify and address problems within the reproductive system.
Dealing with unexplained infertility can be challenging, but there are several strategies and treatments available to increase your chances of conception. It’s essential to work closely with a reproductive specialist who can provide personalized guidance and recommendations based on your unique circumstances.
While there are no guarantees in the realm of fertility, taking proactive steps to address unexplained infertility can bring hope and ultimately lead to a successful pregnancy.
References
Unexplained Fertility Problems https://www.invitra.com/fertility-problems/
Unexplained Infertility https://resolve.org/infertility-101/medical-conditions/unexplained-infertility/
Lora M. is the director of Fertility Health Services in San Diego, California and is the author of the different books and audio CD series. Lora’s work is marked by a ready warmth and deep empathy for all those she serves. People from all walks of life have benefited from her keen ability to help them connect with their deepest selves — and experience their fullest potential for health, happiness and wholeness.
With thanks! Valuable information about fertility and conception!