Infertility

At Clermont Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility, we focus on couples suffering from infertility.  Evaluation and management of common female and male factors include anovulatory disorders (ie, PCOS, thyroid dysfunction), pelvic diseases (ie, endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, fibroids, uterine cavity defects), as well as recurrent miscarriage.

We also manage advanced infertility disorders such as anovulation refractory to oral medications using injectable fertility medications coupled with Intrauterine insemination, also known as IUI.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Ovulation Induction
Clomiphene citrate, an oral prescription medication, is the most commonly used drug for Ovulation Induction (OI). Clomiphene citrate is used to stimulate FSH, correct irregular ovulation, help increase egg production, and correct luteal phase deficiency. Clomiphene citrate fools the body into believing that the level of estrogen is low.

As a result, the hypothalamus sends a signal to the pituitary gland to release more follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) into the bloodstream. The high level of FSH, in turn, stimulates the development of a follicle and egg. If the treatment cycle is successful, a surge of LH may occur about a week after the last tablet is taken.

This surge of LH causes the egg to be released in a process called ovulation. In some cases, the treatment may result in more than one egg. If ovulation does occur, fertilizing the released egg, either through timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination, is the next step.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
An IUI (intrauterine insemination) is performed by threading a very thin flexible catheter through the cervix and injecting washed sperm directly into the uterus. The whole process doesn't take very long; it usually only requires the insertion of a speculum and then the catheter, a process that maybe takes a couple of minutes (60-90 seconds to introduce the catheter, then sperm injection, and another 60 seconds or so to remove the catheter.

Sperm can be collected either at home, if you live close to our practice, or at our office. The man will be provided with a sterile collection cup, where he can deposit his ejaculate. If you plan on using a fresh sample, then this sample needs to be delivered to us within a half hour of ejaculation. Frozen sperm from sperm donors can be used in IUI.

Intrauterine insemination is typically combined with Clomid or Gonal-f® injectables to help a patient produce more eggs.

If you need in vitro fertilization (IVF) we will refer you to one of our highly-specialized colleagues.