Infertility may result in failed cycles with assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Fertility doctors and IVF specialists review lifestyle factors and create customized treatment plans for patients. Finding the cause of a patient’s infertility helps specialists and patients select appropriate treatments. Here are some of the possible causes of unexplained infertility:
Endometriosis
The growth of uterine tissue outside the uterus is a condition known as endometriosis, which is a cause of unexplained infertility and IVF failure. This growth occurs around reproductive organs such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries and develops into cysts. The cysts cause scar tissue, which impacts menstrual cycles. Painful intercourse and excessive bleeding during periods are some of the symptoms of endometriosis. Asymptomatic endometriosis, or silent endometriosis, can be more challenging to detect.
BCL6 is a protein that is associated with uterine inflammation. It acts as a marker for endometriosis, and it appears in 65% of women who have experienced at least two IVF failures. The ReceptivaDx test uses a uterine lining sample to check for the BCL6 marker. This test is able to be performed by a patient’s OB-GYN or a fertility specialist during a single visit. This sample is sent to a lab, where it is analyzed. High BCL6 levels could be an indicator of endometriosis.
Undergoing the ReceptivaDx test provides information to help patients make educated decisions about what treatments to pursue. If a patient receives a positive result, she may choose to undergo laparoscopy surgery to remove the tissue or learn more about hormone treatment. Receiving treatment helps increase the chances of a successful IVF cycle, and a negative result allows patients to focus on other possible causes of infertility.
Progesterone Resistance
Hormones such as estrogen, prolactin, and progesterone impact the ability to conceive and sustain a pregnancy. The hormone progesterone regulates the menstrual cycle by thickening the uterine lining to prepare for an egg. When there is no egg, progesterone levels are reduced, and the uterus sheds the additional lining. This starts the menstrual cycle.
Progesterone resistance can cause irregular periods or ovulation and abnormal uterine lining. The uterine environment is then not sufficiently supported by the body for embryo development. These factors impact a woman’s fertility, resulting in infertility or increasing the risk of miscarriage. This condition can also cause IVF failure. During the in vitro fertilization process, a lab fertilizes an egg outside of the womb and then places it into the uterus. Progesterone resistance makes a successful implementation more difficult.
Endometriosis may cause progesterone resistance by negatively impacting hormone signaling. Hormone therapy helps treat progesterone resistance by increasing progesterone sensitivity and reducing the growth of endometriosis. Hormone treatments include oral contraceptives, follicle-stimulating hormones, and gonadotropin-releasing agents.
Endometritis
A bacterial infection in the uterine lining, or endometritis, results in inflammation, negatively impacting ovulation and fertility. This inflammation is asymptomatic, making the condition more difficult to detect, but it has a CD138 protein marker. The ReceptivaDx offers targeted testing, checking for the CD138 marker. Hormone therapy is able to treat endometritis by reducing inflammation in the uterus.
Learn More About Unexplained Infertility
Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and engaging in regular exercise may help increase fertility. Patients are able to obtain results of an endometrial biopsy between five to six business days. The online map allows patients to find centers offering the ReceptivaDx test. A free phone consultation is available to provide more information about how the test is performed and what the results mean. To learn more about how the test can help provide answers about unexplained pregnancy, contact us today via our online form.