This is a basic list of common infertility questions and treatments. Obviously the first symptom of infertility is the inability to conceive a baby.

Normally a couple won't discover this until they've tried unsuccessfully over a period of time. It's after many tests and exams that a physician will diagnose infertility and get to the root of the problem. Here are a symptoms to be on the lookout for:

• Absence of fertile quality cervical fluid
• Absence of menstrual bleeding.
• Higher than normal basal body temperature
• Lower than normal basal body temperature
• Luteal phase less than 10 days
• No obvious temperature shift indicating ovulation
• Pain in the pelvic area

Here is a list of Q & A on some of the common infertility questions and treatments.

What is anovulation?

When the body does not ovulate. The cycle could have menstrual bleeding or not. If menstrual bleeding is present, it's indicative of high estrogen and is known as breakthrough bleeding.

Reasons for anovulation could be PCOS or LUFS.

Treatments for anovulation

Course of treatment would depend upon why ovulation is not taking place. See the other infertility questions and treatments.

Do you want to choose the sex of your baby?  Try the Ultimate Guide to Baby Gender Selection.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis (endo) is the growth of the endometrium, the area inside the uterus also known as the uterine lining, in areas all over the pelvic cavity. The growth can be found in the fallopian tubes, on the ovaries, outside the uterus and in some cases onto the nearby organs.

Endo can have many symptoms or none at all. If there are symptoms they can be:

• Painful urination
• Painful intercourse
• Pelvic pain
• Severe menstrual cramps (as seen in about 25-35% of endometriosis patients)
• Spotting during the luteal phase
• Unusual heavy menstrual bleeding

Treatment for endometriosis

Endo is diagnosed either through ultrasound or laparoscopy. Treatment varies. One of the best cures is pregnancy. This is because during pregnancy the growth of endometrium stops. However this very growth may hinder conception from occurring because of blockages in the fallopian tubes and luteal phase defects. These are the treatments:

• Birth control pills
• Ovulation suppression medications such as Danazol and Lupron
• Laser treatments

After the growth is contained, the other affects of endometriosis have to be taken care of. Because endometriosis thrives when ovulation occurs, the growth has to be removed in order for conception to occur. Once this happens, there's a small window of opportunity for conception to take place before the growth comes back. Because the luteal phase is shorter either progesterone or Clomid or both are prescribed.

Once all the desired pregnancies are out of the way a hysterectomy is normally the course of action because endo gets worse as time goes by. There are other less invasive procedures such as a uterine ablation to take care of the growth. Either way, fertility is greatly hindered.

What is a hormonal imbalance?

Hormonal imbalances are responsible for more infertility questions and treatments because a lot of the side-effects of other infertility problems are hormonal imbalances and vice versa.

A hormonal imbalance will be seen by having either higher or lower than normal basal body temperatures. There can be different reasons why. Hormonal imbalance may be one of the side effects of certain other infertility issues.

Estrogen and progesterone levels and the thyroid can be out of whack and cause the hormonal imbalance.

Lower than normal basal body temperature during the first half of the cycle could be indicative of having too much estrogen or a hypo-active thyroid.

Lower than normal basal body temperatures during the luteal phase, or the 2nd half of the cycle is indicative of low progesterone. Sometimes just correcting and restoring the progesterone levels will help to balance out the other hormones, including the thyroid.

Higher than normal temperatures the first half of the cycle is indicative of low estrogen or hyper-active thyroid.

Treatments for hormonal imbalances

• Drink water - helps to cleanse the body and helps to produce the fertile-quality cervical fluid.
•  Evening Primrose Oil - helps to increase estrogen levels and helps to produce fertile-quality cervical fluid. Take until ovulation.
• Guaifenesin (Robitussin) to help produce fertile-quality cervical fluid - take all cycle.
• Prescription medications - Clomid, Pergonal and progesterone suppositories (and oral).
• Progesterone cream - used from ovulation to menstruation helps to balance the progesterone level and thus helps to balance the entire endocrine system.
• Vitamin B6 - taken all cycle long helps to regulate the reproductive hormones.

Treatment for LUFS (Luteinized Unruptured Follicle Syndrome)

Clomid is given to help bring on ovulation. Clomid is given in small doses at first, and then the amount is raised, if necessary.

What is a luteal phase defect?  (LPD)

Just like with hormonal imbalances an LPD's are responsible for more infertility questions and treatments.  Normally a hormone imbalance will first be diagnosed because of an LPD.

If your luteal phase is less than 10 days, a luteal phase defect is most likely present. This is the time from ovulation to menstruation. This time has to be at least 10 days in order for a pregnancy to occur. The cause is normally low progesterone, and can easily be treated.

Treatment for Luteal Phase Defects

See the treatments for hormonal imbalances in this Infertility Questions and Treatments article..


What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS is when the ovaries develop cysts where the egg erupts during ovulation. Normally these little cysts will go away as the cycle progresses but in the case of PCOS the cysts stay and become hardened. In some women the menstrual bleeding will stop altogether.
 

Treatment for PCOS

This condition is difficult to treat. Some women will regain some fertility, others will not. The best solutions are ovulation suppression medications such as birth control pills, Lupron and Danazol. Also, the drug Clomid can be given in combination with hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). These help to bring on ovulation in order for pregnancy to occur.

Treatment for Scarred or Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Minor surgery (laparoscopy) is performed, where a tiny "grasper" and scissors are inserted into the fallopian tubes, and the damage is cut away. Causes of this can be endometriosis.

Treatment for Sperm Unable To Penetrate The Egg

If the egg is of bad quality, a procedure called Micromanipulation is performed. The eggs are harvested from the woman and a sperm is "injected" into the egg. The procedure is then carried out via in vitro fertilization.

Of all the infertility questions and treatments posed here, the best plan of action is to chart your fertility signs. This gives you a head's up for any potential infertility problems.

---

For more help with infertility read what Dr.Christine Strong, NMD has to say on her site Doctors Fertility Help.