The first step in achieving pregnancy is determining whether you are indeed suffering from infertility. Many women mistakenly believe they are infertile when their efforts at becoming pregnant are not immediately successful. Many factors can interfere with conception, including the use of birth control pills, hormonal imbalances and irregular ovulation. Other factors that contribute to infertility include conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids and reproductive cancers. In addition, lifestyle factors such as smoking, being overweight or underweight and drug use can lead a couple to have trouble conceiving and carrying a pregnancy to term. Advanced age and early onset of menopause can also be a contributing factor to infertility. Meeting with a Houston reproductive endocrinologist should be the first step in determining if you are indeed infertile.

According to the World Health Organization, a woman under the age of 34 who has been engaging in sexual intercourse without contraception for one year and cannot get pregnant may be considered infertile. If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for one year or longer with no success, you should consult a reproductive endocrinologist for initial testing.

If you live in the Houston area, it is best to consult a Houston reproductive endocrinologist to diagnose the condition and run additional tests. When your doctor has decided to test you and your partner for infertility, several methods will be used to pinpoint the source of the problem. While it is commonly believed that the woman is to blame for the lack of pregnancy, in over half the cases, the male partner is the cause of the infertility. The doctor will test both you and your partner to determine the underlying cause of the couple's infertility. The man's sperm will be tested for motility, or the ability to reach the egg. His sperm count will also be measured to determine whether a low amount of sperm cells are to blame. Treatment is available to counteract the effects of both low sperm count and weak sperm motility.

At your first appointment with your Houston reproductive endocrinologist, the doctor will test your reproductive organs to ensure that they are functioning properly, and may order a hysterosalpingography. This test uses an x-ray to examine the reproductive organs. The doctor then inserts a dye into the fallopian tubes and watches to see that the dye passes through to the uterus. This will indicate whether there is a blockage that is preventing a successful pregnancy. If it is determined that there is no blockage, the doctor may ask you to track your signs of ovulation every month to determine if you are ovulating properly.

You may be advised to undergo IUI (Intrauterine Insemination). This process involves injecting the man's sperm directly into the woman's womb to achieve pregnancy. He may also suggest IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). In this process, the doctor will fertilize the egg outside of the body, and then insert the fertilized egg into the woman's uterus.

Both of these procedures are typically performed in an outpatient setting at a local Houston fertility office. Your reproductive endocrinologist can assist you through all of the steps needed to carry your pregnancy to term and to make your dream of parenthood a reality.

For couples experiencing infertility, there is help available. Find a doctor at a nearby Houston infertility clinic that can help you assess your options and find the solution that works for you. Whether you decide on medication or surgery, you can be holding your new baby in a matter of a few short months.