Options infertile couples can explore to try to become pregnant
Resources in the Champaign-Urbana area offer services to those seeking help for infertility
About 10-15 percent of couples in the United States have difficulty getting pregnant. Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant despite having frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year for most people.
Fortunately, there are options infertile couples can explore to try to become pregnant. At least three resources in the Champaign-Urbana area offer services to those seeking help for infertility.
When to Consider an Infertility Evaluation
Infertility is the inability to conceive within one year for those under age 35, six months for those over age 35, or immediately at age 40 or above. If you’ve experienced any of the following conditions, consider a consultation with our team:
- History of pelvic infections or serious illness.
- Menstrual complications or abnormalities.
- Previous abdominal or pelvic surgery.
- Recurrent pregnancy loss (two or more).
Carle Reproductive Medicine Services
- Female and male diagnostic evaluations.
- Genetic and preconception health counseling.
- Emotional support and guidance through the infertility process.
- LGBTQ family-building options.
- Ovulation induction.
- Intrauterine insemination with partner’s or donor’s sperm.
- In-vitro fertilization (IVF).
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
- Pre-implantation genetic testing.
- Pre-implantation genetic screening for aneuploidy (PGT-A).
- Educational seminars.
Lori-Linell Hollins, MD, associate medical director, Reproductive Medicine, helps patients have families through a number of techniques such as ovulation medications and advanced techniques including In vitro Fertilization or IVF.
Infertility is the inability to conceive after 12 months of trying and it affects 10 to 15 percent of the couples between the ages of 20 and 45. For women 35 and older, the inability to conceive after six months is considered infertility. Women age 40 and older are encouraged to seek help right away. Forty percent of infertility is due to male factors including low sperm count or slow moving sperm.
Peak fertility in women is between the ages of 21 and 33 while the fertility for men decreases over the age of 46. Though failure to ovulate is a common reason in women, a lot of women and men are waiting longer to have children.
Carle services also support men because 40-45% of infertility cases turn up through sperm analysis.
Carle’s program includes providing care for same sex couples using donor sperm or third party reproduction. Egg freezing is also an option for those seeking to have eggs frozen now in order to have a child later, or for those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment. Freezing sperm is also an option for men undergoing chemotherapy as well. Egg and sperm freezing are considered ways to preserve future fertility.
Even if individuals are not sure about help with fertility, they are encouraged to make an appointment to discuss their options, Dr. Hollins said. In Illinois, health insurance group plans that cover more than 25 employees are required to include some type of infertility benefit.
Christie Clinic’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Department also teams up with Carle to help treat patients with infertility issues.
Women’s Health Practice in Champaign can help you plan and become pregnant with the management of common causes of infertility.
Providers offer:
- Hormone testing
- Karyotype testing
- Ultrasound and SIS
- Artificial insemination (donor or partner)
- Ovarian reserve testing
- Ovulation testing and induction
Additional Infertility Resources
Additional infertility resources in the Central Illinois area include the SIU Fertility and IVF Center in Springfield and Advanced Reproductive Center in Peoria.
You can also find more information about infertility and resources at Resolve: The National Infertility Association and ReproductiveFacts.org.
