Conventional Infertility Treatments

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after trying for one year. Today, with an array of treatments available, many couples can overcome infertility and enjoy the miracle of a family.

The first step in assessing the cause of infertility for couples is typically a complete infertility diagnostic work-up that involves both partners. A thorough medical history and exam are the foundation of the work-up with a variety of highly specialized tests utilized to give further information. In addition to our team of reproductive endocrinologists, our group includes urologists for male factor assessment and treatment, as well as a psychiatrist to treat the couple as a whole.

Most couples can be treated with conventional infertility therapies including fertility drug therapy, surgery and intrauterine insemination.

Fertility drug therapy is the use of medications to regulate the imbalance in reproductive hormones that may cause infertility. This includes utilizing clomiphene citrate, injectable gonadotropins, progesterone, and GnRH agonists. Fertility drugs can enhance ovulation, cause multiple eggs to be produced and control the timing of ovulation. In men they can be used to improve the production of sperm.

Intrauterine insemination involves inserting prepared sperm directly into the uterus where fertilization may occur. A sample of either the partner's sperm or donor sperm is washed through the cervix into the uterus.

Surgical intervention may correct infertility caused by a physical problem with the reproductive organs. The clinicians in the division offer the finest and most current techniques for the surgical correction of damaged fallopian tubes and congenital anomalies of the male and female reproductive tracts.

Many of these surgical procedures can be completed on an outpatient basis using laparoscopy and related surgical techniques. Hysteroscopy is another procedure done vaginally to correct problems with the uterus. We perform our surgical procedures at the nearby Community Hospital of Dobbs Ferry, a Montefiore affiliated hospital, or at Montefiore's Jack D. Weiler Hospital in the Bronx.

Pregnancy Loss Evaluation
For patients who have experienced recurrent early pregnancy loss or a perinatal death, a comprehensive approach towards work-up, prognosis, counseling and treatment is provided.