Infertility affects about 15% of couples in the United States. Though common, many couples struggling to conceive find themselves feeling frustrated and discouraged. But infertility doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant. Board-certified OB/GYN Maureen Khoo, MD, FACOG, can help. At Women’s Health Specialist in Los Gatos and Mountain View, California, she has many resources to guide you through this journey. To schedule your infertility consultation, call the office closest to you or book an appointment through the online scheduling tool.

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You may be struggling with infertility if you’re unable to get pregnant after a year of trying, or your pregnancies end in miscarriage or stillbirth.

Infertility is very common. Though women often carry much of the guilt when they’re unable to conceive, the underlying cause of infertility is equally divided between men and women.

What causes infertility?

Pregnancy is a multi-step process, and infertility occurs when there’s a problem related to one or more of the steps.

To get pregnant, your ovaries must release an egg, which then travels down the fallopian tubes towards the uterus and joins with sperm for fertilization. Once fertilized, the egg then implants itself into the uterus and grows.

As noted, infertility affects both women and men.

Infertility in women

Problems with ovulation are the most common underlying cause of infertility in women. There are many gynecological conditions that affect ovulation, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).

Structural problems in your reproductive organs may also affect fertility, including scarring of your fallopian tubes from endometriosis or blockages in your uterus from fibroids.

Infertility in men

Infertility in men occurs when there’s a problem with the quality or quantity of their sperm.

What can I expect during an infertility consultation?

When you visit Dr. Khoo for an infertility consultation, she conducts a basic infertility workup to better understand the root cause of your inability to conceive.

During your consultation, she reviews your gynecological and sexual history and performs a physical and pelvic exam. She also conducts diagnostic testing, such as blood work, to assess hormone levels as well as follicle scans to assess ovulation.

She also talks to your partner and may request diagnostic testing to confirm or rule out other barriers that may make it harder for you to conceive.

How is infertility treated?

Dr. Khoo offers many resources to guide you through your journey and help you successfully conceive. She creates a personalized treatment plan for you based on the underlying cause of your infertility.

Treatments may include:

  • Lifestyle modification
  • Tracking ovulation to increase chances of pregnancy
  • Ovarian stimulation medications to increase ovulation
  • Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

Though you may be feeling frustrated, Dr. Khoo encourages you to stay positive. She works closely with you and your partner to improve your chances of conception that leads to a healthy and happy pregnancy.

To schedule your infertility consultation with a patient-focused physician, call the office or book online today.