Idiopathic infertility – diagnosis
– The only way to diagnose idiopathic infertility is to rule out causes that may make it difficult to conceive. Abnormalities may occur in both the woman and the man, so after taking a medical history, both partners should undergo diagnostic testing – explains Dr. Arkadiusz Adamczyk, a fertility treatment specialist at Klinika Bocian in Gdańsk.
Men are primarily advised to undergo a semen analysis, in which the semen is assessed through a series of tests, including evaluation of:
- sperm structure and count,
- sperm motility,
- semen liquefaction time,
- the presence of fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms.
Additionally, men may undergo hormonal or genetic testing.
In women, diagnostic testing is often much more extensive. Basic diagnostic evaluation includes:
- assessment of the levels of selected hormones that affect female fertility,
- a gynecological examination of the reproductive tract, the condition of the cervix, and the position of the uterus,
- ultrasound examination of the reproductive organs,
- testing for various types of infections, including chlamydia.
In some cases, the doctor may recommend additional diagnostic procedures, such as fallopian tube patency testing (Sono HSG), genetic testing, hysteroscopy, and laparoscopy, which can detect early stages of endometriosis or adhesions around the fallopian tubes. Once possible causes of infertility have been ruled out, idiopathic infertility may be considered the source of the problem.
Treatment of idiopathic infertility
Not knowing the factor that prevents a couple from achieving pregnancy does not mean that they should give up their efforts to conceive. A key factor in choosing further treatment is the patient’s age.
– For younger women under the age of 35, expectant management may be recommended, meaning continued attempts to conceive naturally and regular intercourse without medical intervention. Many couples do not achieve pregnancy until the second year of trying to conceive. However, this approach is not recommended for patients with diminished ovarian reserve or for women over the age of 35, whose chances of conceiving naturally decrease with age – adds Dr. Arkadiusz Adamczyk from Klinika Bocian in Gdańsk.
Treatment methods for infertility in couples for whom natural methods have been unsuccessful vary considerably and should be tailored to individual needs. Patients who do not wish to prolong the waiting period may be offered intrauterine insemination (IUI). If this treatment is unsuccessful, an assisted reproductive procedure, in vitro fertilization (IVF), may also be performed.
Idiopathic infertility and pregnancy
Unsuccessful attempts to conceive when the causes of difficulties with natural conception remain unknown often generate considerable stress and negative emotions, which can make treatment more difficult. However, it is important to remember that idiopathic infertility is not a definitive diagnosis that means there is no chance of achieving pregnancy. The use of appropriate treatment methods increases the likelihood of successful fertilization and the proper development of pregnancy. Many couples, despite being diagnosed with infertility of unknown origin, ultimately become parents as a result of appropriate treatment and specialist support.
