What to Do if You Think You're Struggling with Infertility

If you’ve been trying to conceive but haven’t had success, you may be among the 15% of couples struggling to begin their family. Couples struggle with infertility for many reasons, and educating yourself about the signs, possible causes, and treatments available is the best first step in overcoming it. 

Board-certified OB/GYN providers Dr. Darin Swainston and Dr. Daniel Richards at Darin Swainston MD. FACOG specialize in helping couples in Las Vegas, Nevada, struggling with infertility start their families. The team offers different solutions targeting the underlying causes of infertility for couples unable to have a baby. 

Take a moment to learn about the signs of infertility, common underlying causes, and how our compassionate care team can help you start your family.    

Understanding infertility and its signs

For a couple to get pregnant, four main things must happen: (1) the woman releases a healthy egg; (2) the man produces healthy sperm able to fertilize the egg; (3) the egg must be able to get to the uterus; and (4) the fertilized egg must be able to successfully attach to the uterine lining.

Anything that stops any one of these steps from occurring can lead to infertility. Infertility is diagnosed if despite actively trying for at least one year, you’re not able to get pregnant. For women over age 35, the timeframe for infertility shortens to six months.   

Signs to look for that may indicate infertility include:

• Irregular, heavy, or painful periods (women)
• No periods (women)
• Pain during sexual intercourse (women)
• Symptoms of hormone imbalances (women)
• Trouble with erections or ejaculation (men)
• Changes in libido (men)
• Testicular pain or swelling (men)
• Hard, small testicles (men) 

If you suspect infertility, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your provider at Darin Swainston MD. FACOG to receive an accurate diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible. 

Underlying causes of infertility

Although people often attribute infertility to women, the truth is that the causes can come from the male and female partners equally. In fact, infertility is sometimes triggered by a combination of issues with both the man and woman. 

The treatments for men and women vary, so it’s important to understand them both and seek appropriate treatments as needed. Male infertility issues often have to do with problematic sperm, like low sperm count or abnormal sperm function, physical issues, like testicular injury or enlarged veins, or hormone deficiencies. 

Female infertility can stem from structural issues that stop the egg from reaching the uterus or attaching to the uterine lining, or hormonal issues or imbalances that cause disruptions to the ovulation cycle. Some of the possible underlying conditions that contribute to infertility in women include:

• Uterine or cervical abnormalities
• Fallopian tube damage or blockage
• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Thyroid gland imbalances
• Primary ovarian insufficiency
• Endometrial polyps

Women can also struggle with infertility if they enter early menopause (before 40), have had reproductive cancer treatment, or have infections or diseases, like pelvic inflammatory disease, that affect fertility. 

Treating infertility in women

At Darin Swainston MD. FACOG, Dr. Richards and Dr. Swainston have helped many women diagnosed with infertility become parents. After a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation including ultrasounds, bloodwork, and other tests, your provider recommends customized treatment for the condition(s) that may be contributing to your infertility. 

Women who receive infertility treatment significantly increase their likelihood of conceiving and having a baby. Most of the time, female infertility can be treated with hormones or fertility drugs, which promote ovulation or correct hormonal imbalances.  

If more conservative treatments, like hormone therapy, aren’t successful, Dr. Richards or Dr. Swainston may recommend robotic surgery. This type of treatment works to correct endometriosis or physical issues, like blocked fallopian tubes. 

For couples that don’t conceive with fertility drugs or surgery, intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization may be recommended.

If you suspect you’re struggling with infertility, the experts in reproductive health at Darin Swainston MD. FACOG can help. Call our Las Vegas, Nevada, office at 702-357-5741 or book an appointment online now.