How to Treat Infertility

Co-authored by Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: October 27, 2021 References

When you're excited about starting a family, every month without a positive test can feel like a lifetime. Once you've been trying to conceive unsuccessfully for a year, you're considered 'infertile,' but don't worry—that's just a medical term, and it doesn't necessarily mean that you'll never be able to have a baby.^{[1]
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Research source} However, since the treatment for your infertility will depend largely on what's causing it, it's important to work closely with your doctor or a reproductive specialist.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Diagnosing the Problem

1
See your doctor if you don't conceive after trying for a year. If you and your partner have been having unprotected sex for at least 1 year without becoming pregnant, it's a good idea to visit your doctor to get checked out. It could very well be that nothing is wrong and it just hasn't happened yet, but it's best to make sure you're both healthy just in case. Also, if there's a chance you'll need the help of a reproductive specialist to conceive, it's better to know that sooner rather than later.^{[2]
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- It may be a good idea to see your doctor sooner if you have a history of infrequent or irregular periods, pelvic infections or STDs, a history of infertility with other partners, uterine fibroids, or endometrial polyps.
2
Talk to your doctor about your entire medical history. When you go in to see your doctor or reproductive specialist, they're going to ask you a lot of detailed questions about your medical and sexual history. It might seem a little embarrassing at first, but don't worry—the doctor has heard it all before, and it's very important that you be honest and thorough in your answers to make sure your doctor doesn't miss anything.^{[3]
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- For instance, your doctor may ask questions like how often you have sex, if you've ever been pregnant or gotten anyone else pregnant before, how often you have menstrual cycles, and whether you've ever had any sexually transmitted infections.
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3
Undergo a transvaginal ultrasound if your doctor recommends one. If you're a female, one way that your doctor might check for any problems is with a transvaginal ultrasound, which means that the doctor will carefully insert a lubricated ultrasound wand into your vagina. While this test might be a little uncomfortable, it should not hurt. However, it will be easier if you can relax, so if you feel a little tense, close your eyes and take several slow, deep breaths until the feeling passes.^{[4]
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- This test can help your doctor diagnose whether there's anything physical that could be preventing you from getting pregnant, like uterine polyps, ovarian cysts, or a blockage in your fallopian tubes.^{[5]
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4
Give blood for labwork if more testing is needed. During your exam, your doctor might ask you to give blood for testing. Even if you feel nervous about needles, remind yourself that these tests could give your doctor valuable information about your fertility that could potentially help you conceive.^{[6]
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- Typically, these tests will measure the amount of certain hormones in your blood. For instance, they may check the hormones estradiol and FSH, which regulate ovarian function, as well as TSH, which affects your thyroid.
5
Have an HSG test done if your doctor suspects an abnormality. If your doctor thinks that a physical problem may be causing your infertility, they may recommend a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) test. During this test, they'll use a catheter to inject dye into your uterus and fallopian tubes. Then, they'll use an X-ray to view the dye and check for any blockages, scarring, polyps, or fibroids that could be keeping you from getting pregnant.^{[7]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Your doctor may advise you to schedule this test right after your period ends. That's because that will be the time you're least likely to be pregnant, so you'll have the lowest chance of exposing a new embryo to the dye in the test or the radiation from the X-ray.^{[8]
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  Harvard Medical School
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- You may experience some bleeding or cramping after the procedure, but both should be mild. Rarely, some people may have an allergic reaction to the dye. Your doctor should talk to you about these risks and will monitor you during and after the procedure.
6
Provide a semen sample if your doctor requests it. Your reproductive specialist may want to evaluate both partners to check their reproductive health, especially if the cause of your infertility isn't immediately obvious. If the doctor asks for a sperm sample, provide it in a sterile container, and carefully follow the doctor's instructions for collection and storage.^{[9]
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- A semen analysis will test the volume of the semen, the concentration of sperm in the semen, the movement of the sperm, and the shape of the sperm.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Choosing the Right Treatment

1
Track your cycle and continue having sex during your fertile period. Chances are, while you were trying to conceive for a year, you learned all about ovulation and tracking your cycles. If you haven't been doing that, now's the time to start—write down the starting and end dates of your period on a calendar, and try to have sex about halfway between your cycles, when you're ovulating and likely to be the most fertile.^{[10]
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- You can also check your cervical mucus for clues to your fertility—typically, the mucus will feel thin, slippery, and stretchy when you're ovulating.
- By continuing to have sex during your most fertile times of the month, you'll increase the chances that your fertility treatments will be successful.
2
Take any fertility medications as directed by your doctor. Depending on the results of your testing, your doctor might recommend that you take a pill or an injection to help encourage your body to release an egg. Each of these drugs will have its own dosing schedule and delivery method, so be sure to talk to your doctor if you have any questions.^{[11]
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- For instance, one of the most commonly-prescribed pills for fertility is clomiphene citrate, an anti-estrogen that you take from the 3rd through the 7th days of your menstrual cycle.
- Another popular fertility drug is gonadotropin. Typically, you'll inject this drug at night for 5-10 days in a row.
- These drugs can sometimes have side effects like nausea, hot flashes, and headaches.^{[12]
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3
Have surgery if your doctor needs to correct any abnormalities. During your testing, your doctor may discover issues that are keeping you from getting pregnant, like scar tissue on your uterus, a damaged fallopian tube, or fibroids or polyps. Fortunately, many of these problems can be fixed with a simple procedure, like a laparoscopy to remove scar tissue. After a short recovery period, you may find that it's easier to become pregnant after one of these procedures.^{[13]
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- Surgery might sound scary, but many of these procedures won't even require you to stay overnight in the hospital.
- Be sure to talk to your doctor about any concerns you have, and carefully follow any pre- and post-op instructions.
4
Undergo insemination if the issue is sperm movement. If your doctor believes that you're having trouble conceiving because the sperm aren't able to swim all the way to the egg, they may recommend intrauterine insemination. During this process, the doctor will use a catheter to place the sperm directly into your uterus. That way, they'll be closer to the egg, so you'll have a better chance that the egg will be fertilized.^{[14]
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- Typically, the sperm are gently washed and separated in a centrifuge before they're injected.
5
Consider IVF if the eggs need to be fertilized externally. During in vitro fertilization, or IVF, the doctor will collect eggs and sperm from both partners, or from a donor if one is needed. The eggs will be fertilized in a laboratory, then the fertilized egg or eggs will be carefully placed into the mother's uterus.^{[15]
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- Check with your insurance company before you undergo IVF or any other fertility treatment. Some policies will cover all costs associated with the procedure, while others won't cover any costs at all.^{[16]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Staying Physically and Emotionally Healthy

1
Eat a diet rich in folic acid, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains, and lean proteins can help improve your overall health, but you may be able to boost your fertility even more by adding in foods that contain the nutrients folic acid (a B vitamin), vitamin B12, and omega-3s.^{[17]
X
Trustworthy Source
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source} To get more folic acid in your diet, eat fortified breads and pastas.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source
US Office on Women's Health
U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health
Go to source} Vitamin B12 is found in foods like salmon, canned tuna, beef, and dairy,^{[19]
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Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source} and you can get omega-3 fatty acids from eating fish and flaxseed.^{[20]
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- Conversely, eating an unhealthy diet high in sugar, trans fats, carbs, and red meat may negatively impact your fertility.
- If you're a male, try to eat plenty of antioxidants, like fruits rich in vitamin C, as this may improve the health of your sperm.^{[21]
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  Mayo Clinic
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2
Take a prenatal vitamin if you're a woman. Any woman who's trying to get pregnant should take a prenatal vitamin, because they contain nutrients that are extremely beneficial to an embryo during the first weeks of pregnancy. However, if you're struggling to conceive, the folic acid and B12 in prenatal vitamins may potentially help increase the chances that you'll get pregnant, especially if you're not getting enough of those nutrients from your diet.^{[22]
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- As with any supplements, talk to your doctor before you begin taking prenatal vitamins.
3
Exercise for about 30 minutes a day. Keeping your body active and healthy is always good for your health, but if you're trying to get pregnant, moderate exercise may help increase your odds of conceiving. Regular exercise can help keep you maintain a healthy weight. If you're a woman, being over- or under-weight can affect your ovulation,^{[23]
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Mayo Clinic
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Go to source} and if you're a male, it can affect your sperm.^{[24]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- In addition, being obese can increase your risk of some complications during your pregnancy.^{[25]
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  Harvard Medical School
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- However, if you're a woman who's trying to become pregnant, try to limit your exercise to no more than 5 hours a week. Overexercising can actually keep you from ovulating, making it harder to get pregnant.^{[26]
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  Mayo Clinic
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4
Stop smoking if you're a smoker. Using tobacco can affect fertility for both men and women, so if you're trying to get pregnant, it's important to stop as soon as possible. Quitting can be really hard, so talk to your doctor about quitting aids that might help, but that are also safe for someone who's trying to conceive.^{[27]
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Mayo Clinic
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- For instance, your doctor might recommend that you talk to a counselor about cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques that can help you quit.
- If you live in the US and you need help quitting, try calling the smoker's quit line at 1-800-QUIT NOW.
5
Limit your daily alcohol intake, or quit drinking altogether. Having 1-2 alcoholic drinks a day may not impact your fertility, but if you're trying to get pregnant, you shouldn't drink to excess. In women, heavy drinking can lead to ovulation disorders, and it can cause impotence and decreased sperm counts in men.^{[28]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- A standard drink is 12 fluid ounces (350 ml) of beer that's around 5% ABV, 5 fluid ounces (150 ml) of wine that's around 12% ABV, or a 1.5 fluid ounces (44 ml) shot of 80-proof liquor.
- If you think there's any chance you could be pregnant, it's best to stop drinking altogether. There is no amount of alcohol that's been shown to be safe to a developing fetus.
6
Wear loose-fitting underwear if you're a man. If the temperature of your scrotum gets too high, it could affect how many sperm your body can produce. To help keep your scrotum cool, wear loose-fitting underwear, like boxers or boxer-briefs.^{[29]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Also, avoid sitting for long periods of time in a hot tub or sauna, and limit how long you keep warm devices like laptops on your lap.
7
Find healthy ways to manage your stress. When you're trying to conceive, it's normal to feel some anxiety about becoming pregnant. You might even become hypervigilant about everything that's going on with your body as you look for signs you could be pregnant. However, stress in both men and women may interfere with your hormones, so it could potentially be harder to become pregnant if you're constantly feeling anxious and tense. That's why it's especially important to find the stress-relieving activities that work for you.^{[30]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Try to spend time every week doing something completely unrelated to your fertility. For instance, you might meet your friends for brunch, work on your latest gardening project, or read a book you've been meaning to get to.
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