Infertility is a heartbreaking diagnosis for a woman who wants to have a child of her own. Unfortunately, it's all too common of a problem, with 11 percent of U.S. women experiencing this problem, and that's not counting the men who suffer from it. Fortunately, at Rose Women's Health, serving Arcadia, CA, and the nearby region, Dr. Anya Rose and Dr. Megan Gau provide diagnostics to find the root cause and help the couple successfully conceive.

Causes of Infertility 

Infertility may occur on the woman's side, the man's, or a combination of both. Sometimes, a cause can't be confirmed.

One reason a female may be infertile may be from an ovulation disorder that could stem from a hormonal issue, such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or polycystic ovary syndrome. 

Sometimes, the cause of infertility is a woman being underweight or overweight, suffering from an eating disorder, or exercising too much.

A condition affecting the uterus, such as uterine polyps or uterine fibroids, may make it so a woman can't conceive.

If you have damage or blockage affecting the fallopian tubes, which could occur from an infection like pelvic inflammatory disease, it could lead to issues getting pregnant. 

Other possible causes include the following:

• Pelvic adhesions
• Ovarian insufficiency
• Endometriosis
• Immune system issues, such as lupus erythematosus
• Some medications or treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy
• Cancer

On the man's side, the problem may be from a low sperm count, poor-quality sperm, exposure to chemicals or radiation, or certain medications.

Diagnosing the Problem

The first step to diagnosing the cause of your infertility is discussing the specifics of your situation with one of our physicians at our Arcadia, CA, office. We'll want to know about your menstrual cycle, your lifestyle, any medications you take, and your complete medical history.

If further testing is necessary, we may take a blood sample to assess your hormone levels and see if you're ovulating. We may perform another blood test to evaluate your thyroid function and discover if you're producing too much or insufficient thyroid hormone.

The testing could include imaging, like an X-ray or sonogram, to check the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries for signs of damage.

When these tests show no signs of a problem, we'll want your partner to undergo testing to see if the problem could be on their behalf.

If you've been trying to get pregnant with no luck, visit Rose Women's Health, serving Arcadia, CA, and the general vicinity. Dr. Rose or Dr. Gau can start the process of finding the root cause of your infertility. We can then provide the correct treatment, like medication, when necessary.

Book an appointment with our office by calling 626-461-7071.