Foreword

vii

Preface

ix

Introduction

xi

PART 1

THE BASICS

1

Questions 1-7 Explain How Infertility can Affect Human Reproduction

How does Normal Human Reproduction Work?

What is Infertility?

How Common is Infertility?

PART 2

THE FERTILITY EVALUATION AND TREATMENT BASICS

13

Questions 8-20 Describe the Tests Used to Evaluate the Infertile Couple

What are Typical Causes of Infertility?

Which Tests are Routinely Performed on the Infertile Couple?

What is Ovarian Reserve, and How is it Tested?

PART 3

SPECIFIC PROBLEMS: POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME (PCOS)

33

Questions 21-26 Explain What PCOS is and How it is Evaluated and Treated

What Prevents a Woman from Ovulating Normally?

What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

Where does PCOS Come from, and How is it Treated?

PART 4

SPECIFIC PROBLEMS: TUBAL DISEASE

43

Questions 27-30 Describe What can be Done in Cases of Blocked or Damaged Fallopian Tubes

Can Fallopian Tubes be Repaired?

Why should Blocked Fallopian Tubes be Repaired Before IVF is Attempted?

If I had My Tubes Tied, Can I have them Untied?

PART 5

SPECIFIC PROBLEMS: MALE FACTOR

49

Questions 31-35 Describe the Evaluation and Treament of Male Factor Infertility

Can Surgery Improve Sperm Quality?

Is there Anything My Husband can do to Improve his Sperm Count, Such as Wearing Boxers and Not Briefs or Taking Vitamins?

What can Cause My Husband to have No Sperm at All?

PART 6

SPECIFIC PROBLEMS: ENDOMETRIOSIS

55

Questions 36-39 Address this Common Gynecologic Condition and its Relationship to Infertility

What is Endometriosis and How is it Diagnosed?

Does Surgery for Endometriosis Improve Pregnancy Rates?

Are there Medical Treatments for Endometriosis?

PART 7

TREATMENT OPTIONS: INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION (IUI)

61

Questions 40—49 Explain What an IUI is and Who may Benefit from this Treatment

What is the Difference (If Any) Between Intrauterine Insemination and Artificial Insemination?

How do I Know if IUI is an Option for Me?

What Fertility Drugs are Used with IUI, and Why are they Used if I Already have Normal Periods?

PART 8

TREATMENT OPTIONS: IN VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF)

69

Questions 50-80 Extensively Review All Aspects of IVF

What is IVF, and How is it Performed?

How do I Know if I Need IVF?

How Successful is IVF?

PART 9

TREATMENT OPTIONS: THIRD-PARTY REPRODUCTION

113

Questions 81-85 Explain Why and How Sperm, Egg, and Embryo Donation is Performed

Why does My Reproductive Endocrinologist Think that I Need to Use an Egg Donor?

What are Egg Donors, and How is Donor Egg-IVF Performed?

Where do Egg Donors Come from, and Why do they Want to be a Donor?

PART 10

STRESS, EXERCISE, AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICATIONS

119

Questions 86-91 Describe the Lifestyle Issues that may Impact Infertility

What Role does Stress Play in Causing Infertility?

Can I Exercise? How much is Okay?

One of My Friends Tried Acupuncture Before her IVF Cycle and it Worked should I Try Acupuncture?

PART 11

PREGNANCY LOSS

125

Questions 92-100 Explain How Pregnancy Loss is Evaluated and Treated

How Common is Miscarriage?

What can Cause Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, and can it be Treated?

What are the Genetic Causes of Pregnancy Loss, and can they be Treated?

Appendix A

133

Appendix B

137

Glossary

193

Index

201