Unexplained infertility

It can be really frustrating if you’re struggling to conceive, but doctors don’t know why. This is called unexplained infertility, and it accounts for about one in four cases of infertility in the UK, according to the NHS. 

Infertility is when you’ve been trying to get pregnant for at least one year if the woman carrying the baby is younger than 35 or six months if she is 35 or older. Typically, fertility testing will tell you why you’re having trouble getting pregnant — but with unexplained infertility, those medical checks and tests come back normal.

Getting diagnosed with unexplained infertility can be very disappointing and might leave you with more questions than answers. However, iIt’s important to know thatknow, however, that it doesn’t mean you can never have a child. Many people individuals and couples with unexplained infertility successfully start a family. Some figures show that 21-50% of couples diagnosed with unexplained infertility successfully conceive.

Keep reading to learn what an unexplained infertility diagnosis means and what fertility treatments are available. 

Unexplained infertility means there’s no identifiable cause why a person or couple can’t get pregnant. There is a reason why they’re struggling to conceive, but doctors just don’t know what it is. 

Infertility can be caused by many things affecting both men and women. It can be due to problems with ovulation, sperm quality, or issues with the reproductive organs (such as endometriosis or a blocked fallopian tube). With unexplained infertility, however, all the tests show you’re perfectly healthy, and everything works as it should. 

The frustrating reality is that doctors aren’t always able to pinpoint why someone is having difficulty getting pregnant. There could be an underlying undiagnosed condition or a factor unknown to doctors. Researchers are constantly learning more about how different conditions can affect fertility, but there's still a lot that medical professionals don't know at this time.

GP’s tend to offer the following fertility tests for women:

• Blood tests to look at hormone levels including FSH, LH and progesterone

• Blood tests to check your thyroid levels 

• Testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia or rubella 

Depending on these results, you may be referred for additional tests including:

• A physical exam and ultrasound to check the ovaries, womb, and fallopian tubes

• AMH blood test to check your ovarian reserve (how many eggs you have)

Fertility tests for men include: 

• A physical exam to check the testicles and penis 

• Semen analysis to check for any problems with sperm count or quality

• Testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia.

Your GP will run these tests depending on whether or not you meet the criteria, such as your age and how long you’ve been trying to conceive. Whether or not you’re eligible can also depend on where you live in the UK. Depending on the results, you may be referred to a fertility specialist. 

You’ll be diagnosed with unexplained infertility if all these tests come back normal and your doctor can’t find a cause. It’s understandable to feel helpless or frustrated at this point, but the good news is that fertility treatments are available. It's important to have a healthcare provider who understands what you're going through and is there to support you

The most common treatments for unexplained infertility fall under assisted reproductive technologies (ART). This type of fertility treatment is where part of the fertilisation process happens in a lab or is facilitated by a clinician. ART treatments include:

You can’t prevent unexplained infertility because, without an identifiable cause, prevention is pretty much impossible. There are, however, some factors within your control that can help your chances of conceiving. Some lifestyle factors linked to poor fertility include: 

• Drinking too much caffeine 

• Taking recreational drugs

• Smoking

• Untreated STIs

• Excessive alcohol consumption 

• Being overweight or underweight.

We know it can feel like a shot in the dark, and while there’s no evidence that making lifestyle changes can increase your chances of conception, looking after your overall health, nutrition, and lifestyle certainly can't hurt!