It is important to realize that in this situation, treatment is not geared to correct a specific problem, since none was found. Instead, treatment is geared towards accelerating the time to pregnancy. Couples may still become pregnant without treatment, but we cannot predict if or when this might occur. Since pregnancy may not occur for several years, most couples opt for treatment with this diagnosis.
There are two main principles of treatment and they must be applied together to optimize success rates. Studies have indicated that using either one of these principles separately to treat unexplained infertility does not improve chances for conception.
Typically, a maximum of 3-4 cycles of a given treatment are recommended before moving to the next step, although couples have the option of moving to the next treatment step before completing the maximum number of cycles. Some studies have found that moving directly to IVF if fertility pills/insemination is unsuccessful is more cost-effective to the patient than using fertility shots because of the high multiple pregnancy rate associated with fertility shots alone.
There are two main principles of treatment and they must be applied together to optimize success rates. Studies have indicated that using either one of these principles separately to treat unexplained infertility does not improve chances for conception.
- Increase the number of eggs (using fertility shots or pills)
- Place sperm and egg closer together using IUI or IVF This is based on the premise that following intercourse, millions of sperm are normally present in the vagina, but very few of them are able to reach the egg. By placing more sperm in close proximity to more eggs (after using fertility drugs) , the odds for conception in that cycle increase.
- Clomiphene citrate (Fertility pill) + insemination: 15% pregnancy rate/cycle
- Gonadotropins (Fertility Shots) + insemination: 18-20% pregnancy rate/cycle
- Gonadotropins (Fertility Shots) + IVF:
40-50% pregnancy rate/egg retrieval
Typically, a maximum of 3-4 cycles of a given treatment are recommended before moving to the next step, although couples have the option of moving to the next treatment step before completing the maximum number of cycles. Some studies have found that moving directly to IVF if fertility pills/insemination is unsuccessful is more cost-effective to the patient than using fertility shots because of the high multiple pregnancy rate associated with fertility shots alone.
