What is Infertility?
For many, starting a family isn’t as easy as simply skipping contraception. While some couples or individuals get pregnant early on in their journey, others must keep trying each month — tracking their ovulation to help boost their efforts. When a woman isn’t able to conceive naturally after trying for an extended period of time or experiences miscarriages, it may be time to seek an infertility diagnosis.
Fortunately, there are many treatment options to help those struggling to conceive. At Ontario Fertility Network, we help individuals and couples across the province overcome the challenges of infertility to achieve their dreams.
How Our Infertility Clinics Help
If you’re having a difficult time becoming a parent, Ontario Fertility Network is here to support you. Our dedicated team of reproductive specialists have assisted with thousands of pregnancies in Ontario.
Common infertility treatment methods include:
- Fertility medication
- Ovulation Induction
- Early Pregnancy Support
- Donor sperm insemination
- Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
What may be the ideal treatment for one patient, isn’t always going to be the best fit for another. There are a variety of factors that come into play when arriving at the right fertility treatment path for you. Our goal is to provide you with the most appropriate options, based on your initial fertility assessment, and walk you through each step with support and expertise.
You’re not alone at Ontario Fertility Network – we’re here for you.
FAQs
How common is infertility?
What causes infertility in women?
Common causes of infertility in women include:
- Endometriosis
- Submucous Fibroids
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Ovulation difficulties
- Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
- Uterine problems
- Fibroids
- Abnormalities of the Endometrium
- Medical conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- Cystic fibrosis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Infections
- Hormonal disorders
- Genetic disorders
- Certain cancers
What causes infertility in men?
Common causes of infertility in men include:
- Varicocele
- Trauma to the testicles
- Low sperm quality
- Sperm damage
- Undescended Testis
- Excessive alcohol or recreational drug use
- Medical conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- Cystic fibrosis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Infections
- Hormonal disorders
- Genetic disorders
- Certain cancers
What are the risk factors for infertility in women?
Common risk factors for infertility in women include:
- Age (it is increasingly more difficult after the age of 35)
- Excessive alcohol use
- Excessive recreational drug use
- Obesity
- Eating disorders
- Chemotherapy
- Chronic stress (affecting hormones)
- Poor diet or malnutrition
- Excessive athletic training (affecting hormones or body composition)
- Environmental toxins
What are the risk factors for infertility in men?
Common risk factors for infertility in men include:
- Excessive alcohol use
- Excessive recreational drug use
- Obesity
- Certain medications
- Chemotherapy
- Smoking
- Environmental toxins
- Age (less important in comparison to women)
How long should I try to conceive before seeing a doctor?
Women who are under the age of 32 should seek an opinion from a physician after trying to get pregnant unsuccessfully for one year. Women over the age of 32 are recommended to have a fertility assessment after trying unsuccessfully for six consecutive months. However, if you do not fit in these parameters and you have a particular concern about your fertility, always feel free to seek an opinion.
How do doctors diagnose infertility?
When it comes to diagnosing infertility, the physician at your fertility clinic will examine: both partners’ medical histories and may conduct sperm studies, ovulation tests, ultrasounds, sonohysterogram, and in-depth laboratory investigations to determine the root causes. This information will help determine your fertility treatment options.
What is Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)?
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) consists of a variety of medical procedures used for fertility treatment.
What are the various forms of ART?
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is one of the most common forms of ART. Possible steps of fertility treatment include:
- Ovulation Induction (OI) and timed intercourse
- Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH) and timed intercourse
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and OI
- COH and IUI
- IVF
- Donor Insemination
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