News & Updates

John Owens MD is the new Chief of Medical Staff for San Joaquin Community Hospital for 2008 - 2010.
Look no further. Implanon insertion is available in our office.
In-office Endometrial Ablation and Essure is also available.

Infertility Testing and Treatment

There are many factors that potentially affect a woman's ability to conceive. Either the man or the woman in a relationship might have issues that prevent or delay pregnancy. When considering why pregnancy has not occurred, it is important to evaluate both partners.

In general, a woman is not considered to have a problem unless she has tried for one year or more to achieve pregnancy. During the first visit to evaluate "infertility", a thorough health history will be obtained. After physical examination, ultrasound will be done to identify any anatomic abnormalities that may be present in the uterus, tubes or ovaries.

The female factors that allow pregnancy include 1) normal functioning ovaries that allow ovulation to occur, 2) fallopian tubes that are open and allow the egg to pass into the uterus, 3) cervical mucous that facilitates sperm transportation and 4) a normal functioning uterus with a receptive endometrium. Also, sexual intercourse must occur at or near the time of ovulation.

The male factors that allow pregnancy to occur include adequate sperm number and motility (ability to move), as well as the absence of infection or anatomic abnormalities of the male reproductive tract. Questions about the male factor can frequently be answered by a simple semen analysis.

The preliminary evaluation for the woman might include tracking menses and reviewing the menstrual patterns during the office visit. Lab tests for certain hormones can help to predict ovulation, such as a menstrual day 3 FSH and a menstrual day 21 progesterone level. Basal body temperatures done at home or home ovulation predictor kits also give information about ovulation.

For additional information on predicting ovulation, please visit: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/