Infertility Evaluation & Fertility Care
Personalized infertility evaluation and reproductive health care for women who are having difficulty becoming pregnant. Magnolia Women Medical Center provides thoughtful evaluation, education, and individualized care based on your health, reproductive history, and fertility goals.
When getting pregnant isn't happening as expected
Trying to become pregnant can bring excitement, uncertainty, and sometimes frustration. If pregnancy has not occurred after a period of regular, unprotected intercourse, an infertility evaluation can help identify factors that may be affecting fertility.
Infertility can involve the female reproductive system, the male reproductive system, both partners, or sometimes no clearly identifiable cause. A careful evaluation helps determine what testing or treatment may be appropriate for your individual situation.
The right time for an infertility evaluation
Timing matters because fertility can change with age and certain medical or reproductive conditions may warrant earlier evaluation.
Under age 35
An infertility evaluation is generally recommended after 12 months of regular sexual intercourse without birth control when pregnancy has not occurred.
Age 35 or older
Evaluation is generally recommended after 6 months of trying to become pregnant without success.
Age 40 or older
Talk with your OB/GYN about an evaluation sooner rather than waiting through a longer period of trying.
Earlier evaluation
Evaluation may be appropriate sooner when there are irregular periods, suspected endometriosis, tubal problems, previous pelvic surgery, or other known fertility concerns.
Infertility can have many different causes
Fertility depends on several interconnected factors, including ovulation, reproductive anatomy, sperm health, hormones, age, and overall health.
Ovulation problems
Irregular or absent ovulation can make it difficult for an egg to be released and fertilized.
Age-related fertility changes
Female fertility generally decreases with age, with a more noticeable decline occurring later in the reproductive years.
Fallopian tube problems
Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes can interfere with the normal meeting of the egg and sperm.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis can affect pelvic anatomy and may contribute to difficulty becoming pregnant.
Uterine conditions
Fibroids, polyps, or other uterine conditions may sometimes affect fertility.
Male factor infertility
Sperm count, movement, shape, and other reproductive factors can contribute to infertility.
Hormonal conditions
Thyroid disorders and other hormonal conditions can sometimes interfere with ovulation or reproductive function.
Unexplained infertility
Sometimes standard testing does not identify a clear cause. This is commonly referred to as unexplained infertility.
What happens during an infertility evaluation?
Your evaluation is tailored to your age, medical history, menstrual cycle, reproductive history, and how long you have been trying to become pregnant.
Medical and reproductive history
Your clinician may discuss menstrual cycles, previous pregnancies, pelvic conditions, surgeries, medications, medical conditions, and how long you have been trying to conceive.
Ovulation assessment
Depending on your history, evaluation may include methods used to determine whether and when ovulation is occurring, including laboratory testing or ovulation tracking.
Blood and laboratory testing
Testing may be recommended to evaluate hormones or other factors that could affect fertility. Testing is selected according to your individual history and symptoms.
Ultrasound and imaging
Pelvic ultrasound may help evaluate the uterus, ovaries, follicles, and other pelvic structures.
Fallopian tube evaluation
When appropriate, specialized testing such as hysterosalpingography or sonohysterography may be used to evaluate the uterus and whether the fallopian tubes are open.
Partner evaluation
Fertility evaluation often includes assessment of both partners. Semen analysis is commonly used to evaluate sperm count, movement, and shape.
Fertility testing is personalized to your needs
Not every patient needs every test. The goal is to use your medical history and examination to determine which evaluations are most useful.
Discuss Your Fertility ConcernsEvaluates the uterus, ovaries, follicles, and pelvic anatomy.
May evaluate reproductive or thyroid-related hormones when indicated.
May help determine whether and when ovulation occurs.
May evaluate the uterine cavity and fallopian tube patency.
Evaluates sperm concentration, movement, and morphology.
Further evaluation may be recommended depending on the findings.
Treatment depends on the cause
There is no single infertility treatment that is right for everyone. Your care plan depends on your diagnosis, age, reproductive goals, medical history, and preferences.
Ovulation treatment
When ovulation is irregular or absent, medications may sometimes be used to stimulate ovulation under medical supervision.
Treatment of underlying conditions
Conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, or hormonal disorders may require specific medical or surgical treatment.
Surgical treatment
In selected cases, surgery may be used to address certain structural problems affecting fertility.
Referral to fertility specialists
Some patients may benefit from consultation with a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist.
Assisted reproductive technology
Depending on the diagnosis, treatments such as intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization may be considered with a fertility specialist.
Unexplained infertility
When testing does not identify a specific cause, your clinician can discuss reasonable next steps based on your individual circumstances.
Age is an important part of fertility planning
Female fertility generally decreases with age. Because fertility changes over time, age is an important consideration when deciding when to seek an evaluation and how quickly to explore treatment options.
If you are concerned about your fertility, you do not have to wait until you have been trying for a specific period before discussing your individual circumstances with your OB/GYN.
understanding. A personalized evaluation can help identify the next step.
Infertility questions patients often ask
What is infertility? +
Infertility generally refers to difficulty achieving a successful pregnancy based on reproductive history, age, medical findings, or diagnostic testing. For people having regular unprotected intercourse without a known cause of impaired fertility, evaluation is generally recommended after 12 months if the woman is under 35 and after 6 months if she is 35 or older.
When should I see a doctor about infertility? +
If you are under 35, an evaluation is generally recommended after 12 months of trying without pregnancy. If you are 35 or older, evaluation is generally recommended after 6 months. Women over 40 may benefit from more immediate evaluation.
What causes female infertility? +
Causes can include ovulation problems, age-related fertility changes, fallopian tube problems, endometriosis, uterine conditions, hormonal disorders, and other reproductive factors. Sometimes no specific cause is identified.
Can PCOS cause infertility? +
PCOS can affect ovulation and may make it more difficult to become pregnant for some women. Treatment depends on the individual's reproductive goals and medical history.
Can endometriosis affect fertility? +
Yes. Endometriosis can affect pelvic anatomy and is associated with infertility. Women with known or suspected endometriosis may warrant earlier fertility evaluation.
Does infertility only affect women? +
No. Fertility problems can involve either partner, both partners, or sometimes no identifiable cause. Evaluation commonly considers both the female and male reproductive factors.
What tests are used for infertility? +
Depending on the situation, testing may include medical history and examination, blood or urine testing, pelvic ultrasound, ovulation assessment, evaluation of the uterus and fallopian tubes, and semen analysis.
Can infertility be treated? +
In many cases, infertility can be treated even when a specific cause is not identified. Treatment can include lifestyle changes, medication, surgery, ovulation stimulation, or referral for fertility treatments such as assisted reproductive technology when appropriate.
What is unexplained infertility? +
Unexplained infertility means that standard evaluation has not identified a clear reason for difficulty becoming pregnant. Your clinician can discuss possible next steps based on your age, history, testing, and reproductive goals.
Should my partner be evaluated too? +
Yes. Fertility evaluation often includes both partners. A semen analysis is commonly used to assess sperm concentration, movement, and morphology.
Take the next step with compassionate care.
If you have concerns about becoming pregnant, talk with an experienced OB/GYN about your reproductive health and whether a fertility evaluation may be appropriate.
Convenient Magnolia Women Medical Center locations
Riverside
3975 Jackson St., Suite 110
Riverside, CA 92503
Moreno Valley
12712 Heacock St., Suite 9B
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
Riverside
4500 Brockton Ave., Suite 315
Riverside, CA 92501
Corona
760 S. Washburn, Suite 3A
Corona, CA 92882