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If you and your partner have been trying to conceive without success, you may be unsure about how to navigate the complex range of fertility options available in the modern medical landscape. 
The good news is that experienced clinicians like those at the Missouri Center for Reproductive Medicine can help explain the steps you could be taking and help build the right path for your individual journey.
In This Post:
Fertility Drugs
These medications help facilitate pregnancy by regulating the menstrual cycle and triggering the ovaries to release an egg. These are often the first line of defense against fertility issues including unexplained infertility, typically used for three to six months before either conceiving or opting for a different type of treatment. These medications do increase the risk for multiples, and may cause mild side effects. According to Baby Center, eighty percent of women ovulate within three months when taking these medications, and thirty to forty percent of those become pregnant within the subsequent six months.
Surgical Procedures
Depending on the cause of infertility, a surgical procedure may increase your chances of successfully conceiving. Two primary procedures, laparoscopy and laparotomy, are used to unblock fallopian tubes, clear excess endometrial tissue, remove fibroids, treat ovarian cysts, and correct genetic defects. While success rates vary based on the extent of the issues that must be treated, surgery is estimated to help 59 percent of couples who are trying to get pregnant.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
According to RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, this method can be effective for those couples with unexplained infertility, minimal male factor infertility, and women with cervical mucus problems. When ovulation is detected, insemination is performed with either partner sperm or donor sperm. This method is often used in conjunction with medications that trigger ovulation. Its success rate is estimated between 7 to 16 percent per cycle for couples with unexplained infertility.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
With in vitro fertilization, eggs are “harvested” from the woman’s body and combined with either partner sperm or a donor sperm in a lab. The resulting embryo or embryos is then transferred to the womb. IVF is up to 40 percent successful for women younger than age 34, with gradually decreasing efficacy with age.If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for several months without success, a fertility specialist can help explore the health issues that may be causing infertility and suggest the most effective course of treatment for you and your partner.