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. Two Treatments Applied Together By placing more sperm in close proximity to more eggs, the odds for conception in that cycle increase.
Monthly pregnancy rates for a normal couple trying to conceive are about 20-25%. Possible treatment options for unexplained infertility are listed below with generalized success rates in women < age 35 or younger. 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.
