Infertility is defined as when a couple has regular unprotected sex for one year (six months if over age 35) without pregnancy. As you age, seeking help becomes more time-sensitive. From your mid-30’s onwards, female fertility can change quickly so it’s key to seek help as early as possible.
The causes of infertility are generally bucketed into one of five major groups. In some way or another, all of these impact fertility by affecting the egg’s likelihood of meeting sperm, fertilizing, or implanting in the uterus.
Ovulation dysfunction is a common cause of infertility that affects many couples trying to conceive. It occurs when a woman’s ovaries fail to release eggs regularly or at all, making it difficult to achieve pregnancy.
Tubal diseases are those affecting the fallopian tubes with scarring or blockages. These may prevent sperm from reaching the egg or an embryo from reaching the uterus. The most common cause for tubal issues tends to be sexually-transmitted infections.
Endometriosis is a disorder in which uterine lining tissue grows where it shouldn’t: outside of the uterus, often including the ovaries and fallopian tubes. While quite common, affecting up to 10% of adult women, it can be highly painful and harmful to surrounding tissue.
Nearly one-third of couples with infertility are primarily due to a male factor issue and male factor may be at least a partial factor in up to 40% of cases. These can include a variety of issues with the sperm, most often regarding sperm count and motility.
The remainder of infertility cases that are not diagnosed with one of the above categories are labeled “Unexplained Infertility”, which accounts for 15-30% of cases.
Though it may sound frightening, being unable to identify a direct cause of infertility does not mean it can’t be treated!
Fortunately, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can address and help overcome all of the above causes of infertility. IVF specifically refers to fertilizing an egg in a laboratory as opposed to in the body but the term has gradually evolved to cover the entire process of helping individuals conceive.
What we call IVF can generally be broken down into these four major components
Pre-IVF Requirements
Complete required tests to ensure patient safety, suitability, and legal compliance for treatment
Stimulate the Ovaries
& Retrieve Eggs
Use medication to gently stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs, monitor progress, then retrieve the mature eggs
Fertilize Eggs, Culture and Test Embryos
Fertilize the retrieved eggs, then help the new embryos develop before testing their quality and freezing them for transfer
Prep the Uterus and
Transfer Embryo
Readying the uterus to receive the embryo, then transferring the ideal embryo to achieve pregnancy
Want to understand even more about the IVF process at Life IVF? Click below to learn how we can work together, starting from the very beginning with our New Patient process.
This page was only meant as a quick introduction to the complex world of fertility and women’s health. Let’s chat further, discuss what’s on your mind, and see if we can find a solution together.
Don’t just take our word for it.
This is my 3rd baby from Life IVF Center (4 pregnancies, one resulted in a late miscarriage). I am so thankful for Dr. Yelian and his staff. Since I have done 5 egg retrievals and 5 separate embryo transfers, I have been able to get to know Dr. Yelian at a personal level. Not only is he very meticulous with his work, he also spends time to individualize each plan to cater exactly to your needs and specific levels per cycle. For example, I was on different levels of medication from the first time I saw him in 2010, to the most recent time in 2015 (as I became older). Each time I visit he has updated his technology, has attended new conferences, and is providing me with the most up-to-date plan. I appreciate not only his pricing, I love that he offers mini-stim-IVF for less impact on my body, and also that he gives quality care. Thank you!!!
R.T.
IVF Patient
Utah, USA
Don’t just take our word for it.
At 43 years old after 4 rounds of conventional IVF, 1 miscarriage, and no PGS normal embryos left, we were told to look to donor eggs. A friend had mentioned Life IVF to us and since it was less expensive than conventional IVF and seemed to make sense scientifically, we decided to give it one last shot with my own eggs. We committed to 6 rounds of low stim IVF while banking them to PGS test one final time. We lucked out and got one male normal embryo. With a combination of luck from Above and scientific talent, that embryo took and we have our miracle son today. I credit Dr. Yelian and the Life IVF lab for combining the care, the expertise, and the hope which resulted in our beautiful son. No words can express how greatful I am and I'm so thankful for not giving up. It can happen.
K.H.
IVF Patient
California, USA
Don’t just take our word for it.
We are eternally grateful to Dr. Yelian and his staff for his knowledge and expertise in his field. Thanks to them, we have been able to have two beautiful children, a boy and a girl! Our first was born 5 years ago and here we are with our latest addition. We are forever indebted to you all for helping to make our family complete and allow our hearts to over flow with so much joy and happiness!
Z.S.
IVF Patient
Georgia, USA
Don’t just take our word for it.
Thank you Dr Yelian and the LifeIVF medical team for all the support! We delivered our second child in Japan last January. Her sister (25 months, also a Life IVF graduate) can't be happier about her little sister. We wish the best for every patient at Life IVF.
M.
IVF Patient
Tokyo, Japan
