Infertility

Reproductive difficulties that cause infertility can result from numerous causes. Bellingham Urology Group in Bellingham and Mount Vernon, Washington, offers expert infertility diagnosis and treatment to help you start your longed-for family. Using advanced semen analysis and assisted reproduction techniques, the board-certified urologists significantly improve your chances of becoming a parent. Call Bellingham Urology Group today or complete the online booking form to find the cause of your infertility and effective treatments.

What is infertility?

Infertility is an inability to conceive after a year of frequent, unprotected sex (or six months for women over 35). It affects over 10% of couples, and male infertility plays a significant role in more than 50% of cases.

The compassionate clinicians at Bellingham Urology Group understand the stress and frustration infertility can cause. They work personally with every patient to diagnose the reason for their difficulties and develop an effective treatment plan.

What causes infertility?

Trauma or injury, prior illness, chronic medical conditions, genetics, and lifestyle factors like smoking or drinking alcohol may cause male infertility. 

These problems result in abnormal semen production or volume, a lack of sperm in the semen, poor sperm motility (movement), and blockages that prevent sperm delivery.

Female infertility is often due to gynecological issues, such as hormonal imbalances, ovulation problems, blocked fallopian tubes, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis.

Infertility is sometimes idiopathic (of unknown cause).

What can I do about infertility?

If a couple has problems conceiving, both should undergo a fertility assessment. Bellingham Urology Group specializes in male infertility evaluations, which involve a physical exam, routine health check, and semen analysis. 

Semen analysis is a microscopic examination of your semen and sperm. It determines how much semen you produce and how many sperm are in your semen sample. The analysis can also identify what percentage of your sperm are moving and how well they move, whether your sperm is in the correct shape and if there’s any damage to the sperm’s DNA.

How is infertility treated?

Infertility treatment varies depending on the cause of your problem. Options include:

Lifestyle changes 

Quitting smoking and alcohol, improving your diet, weight loss, and regular exercise can all make a difference to your fertility. Even simple measures like keeping your testicles at the optimal temperature and avoiding tight clothing around your groin can benefit sperm health.

Medications 

You might require hormone medications to boost sperm production and fertility.

Sex therapy

Counseling can help with problems like premature ejaculation.

Assisted reproductive technology 

When other measures aren’t working, assisted reproduction procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection could help.

Surgery 

You might require surgery to repair part of your reproductive system if it’s preventing sperm from leaving the testicles when you ejaculate. Minimally invasive surgery is also required for sperm retrieval techniques when undergoing assisted reproduction.

Call Bellingham Urology Group today or book an appointment online to receive expert infertility diagnosis and treatment.