Unknown infertility
What is Infertility of Unknown Origin?
Generally, infertility of unknown origin is a diagnosis given to couples when, after carrying out basic female and male fertility tests, the specialist has no conclusive evidence of what is preventing pregnancy.
We can define infertility as the inability of a couple to achieve pregnancy after more than a year of unprotected sexual relations. After this time, it is recommended to begin a basic fertility study that consists of carrying out examinations and diagnostic tests on both members of the couple.
Statistically, 30% of infertility is attributed to female causes, another 30% to male causes, 20% to mixed causes and, when the couple does not fit any of these causes, then it is diagnosed as EOD or infertility of unknown origin.
Procedures for diagnosing EOD
In order to establish an appropriate treatment for unknown infertility, a series of diagnostic tests must be carried out beforehand to detect the origin of the problem that is preventing pregnancy.
The protocol for diagnosing unknown infertility consists of carrying out different types of tests and analyses:
Basic fertility study
In the assessment of the infertile couple, we must evaluate both members of the couple.
The fundamental complementary test of the basic study of the male is the seminogram that analyses the morphology, number and mobility of the sperm.
The complementary tests of the basic female study are: transvaginal ultrasound, tubal permeability study and a hormonal analysis in basal state. It is important to complete the study with other hormones such as prolactin and those that define thyroid function, since they may be important in patients with ovulation problems.
Treatments for cases of infertility of unknown origin
Depending on the results obtained, different types of highly personalized treatments will be considered to deal with infertility of unknown origin.
In vitro fertilization
This is a treatment aimed at uniting the egg and sperm in the laboratory to obtain embryos that will be introduced into the uterus to achieve pregnancy. IVF is not only a therapeutic method but also a diagnostic method that allows the identification of causes of infertility that cannot be identified with current diagnostic tests. This is the case, for example, of fertilization failures that can be easily diagnosed in the laboratory.
Egg donation
Using this technique, in vitro fertilization is performed with eggs from an anonymous donor. The technique allows the donated egg to be fertilized with the semen of the man in the couple, with the aim of implanting the obtained embryo so that pregnancy can occur.
