Unexplained Infertility

Up to 25% of all infertile patients will be diagnosed with unexplained (idiopathic) infertility. This diagnosis means that, in spite of exhaustive fertility evaluation, there is no apparent cause of infertility.

Most of these patients have infertility factor(s) involving the eggs, sperm, and Fallopian tubes, but their testing has not yet uncovered this information. Infertility related to the egg quality factor represents the most "unexplained" infertility since it is the most difficult to diagnose.

An NIH-funded study showed that combining intrauterine insemination (IUI) with "fertility shots" was no more successful in treating unexplained infertility than intercourse alone.

A long-term follow-up of this study tracked hundreds of couples diagnosed with unexplained infertility. Only 6.6% did not have a child over the course of their reproductive lifetime. Couples treated with In Vitro Fertilization had a 92% probability of having a child. Most couples who tried to conceive spontaneously rather than with medical assistance were also successful (64%).

The researchers concluded that couples with unexplained infertility are highly likely to achieve a live birth from their treatment and at least one additional live birth subsequently, many of which without any treatment. In addition, they stressed that moving to treatment sooner allows for a larger family.

The researchers concluded that couples with unexplained infertility are highly likely to achieve a live birth from their treatment and at least one additional live birth subsequently, many of which without any treatment. In addition, they stressed that moving to treatment sooner allows for a larger family

In Vitro Fertilization is the most common treatment for patients with unexplained infertility. IVF can also be used as an excellent diagnostic tool that will almost always establish the cause of one’s infertility and, at the same time, can often correct or bypass the problem and result in pregnancy.