Guiding you through your infertility journey
Receiving a negative pregnancy test can be emotionally challenging, especially after you feel like you have tried everything. It’s important to know that you are not alone in your struggles. We understand the difficulties you may face on your path to overcoming infertility, and we want you to know we're here to walk alongside you, providing support and hope.
Infertility support
The first step to overcoming infertility is to determine the cause. Infertility is a problem of the reproductive system. Many things can cause infertility. It can be a problem in the female reproductive system. It can be a problem in the male reproductive system. Or it may be both.
Depending on the cause of infertility, there are many safe and effective therapies that can significantly improve your chances of getting pregnant. While every person is different, we recommend seeking help from a fertility specialist if:
- You are younger than 35 and have not been able to conceive after one year
- You are older than 35 and have not been able to conceive after six months
- If you have any known problems or conditions that may be causing infertility
Understanding female factors of infertility
Several factors can contribute to infertility in women. Some common ones include:
- Ovulation problems, where the woman does not make enough hormones to develop mature and healthy eggs
- Anatomical problems, such as blocked fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis, which can cause scar tissue to form
- Birth defects, such as exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) taken by her mother during pregnancy
- Infection, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Immune system problems, as antibodies in a woman’s system can fail to recognize or cause an abnormal immune response to pregnancy
Understanding male factors of infertility
Several factors can contribute to infertility in men. Some common ones include:
- Low or no sperm production, since without enough healthy sperm, the chance of fertilization is decreased
- Abnormal sperm function, as sperm must be able to swim and penetrate the egg
- Varicocele, a condition in which varicose veins develop around the testes
- Hormone disorders, which can affect sperm production
- Chromosome defects, which can affect sperm production
- Birth defects, such as exposure to DES taken by his mother during pregnancy
- Immune system problems, such as anti-sperm antibodies, which attack and destroy sperm
- Lifestyle habits, including use of recreational drugs, heavy alcohol use, smoking, taking certain medications, and too much heat in the genital area, such as using a hot tub
Making a fertility appointment
We are here to help you find the care you need throughout your infertility journey. We understand that you may be most comfortable going to your primary care physician first to discuss your fertility issues. Our OB-GYN providers can do a basic infertility evaluation. After understanding your goals and desires it may be necessary to get a referral to a fertility specialist. Your OB-GYN will help guide you to the team to help support your plan of care by referring to an reproductive endocrinologist. This is an OB-GYN who has education and training in infertility and can offer treatments or procedures not offered by your OB-GYN. You may also make an appointment directly with a fertility specialist outside of Spectrum Health.
To learn more about the infertility services available you can visit
Start your journey with us
We are here to support you and find you the best care possible.
What to expect during your appointment
We are here to listen to and discuss all your fertility concerns and help guide you through any next steps.
During your appointment, you can expect a comprehensive evaluation of your reproductive health. Our team of specialists will review your and your partner’s medical history and lifestyle habits. They will also conduct a physical examination to assess your overall health and any physical factors that may be influencing your infertility.
Our specialists may also recommend fertility tests. For women, this may include ovulation evaluation, hormone testing, ultrasound, and X-rays. For men, this may include having a semen sample taken and tested in the lab, so the health care provider can check the sperm count, test sperm motility, check the shape of the sperm, and assess the ejaculate liquid. Men may need to see a urologist for further testing.
Your specialist may suggest another test in order to make a diagnosis and find the best treatment for you.
Financial support and assistance
We understand that an infertility journey is overwhelming enough without having to add financial concerns. We are here to help you in every way we can by offering financial support and assistance to those who are eligible.
