Infertility

About 10% of US women in their childbearing years have difficulty getting or staying pregnant. In Beverly Hills, California, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist Lia LaBrant, MD, FACOG, finds the root cause of infertility and offers treatments that boost your chances of conceiving. Schedule an appointment by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.

What is infertility?

Infertility is a condition that prevents you from getting pregnant after a year of trying to conceive (or six months of trying if you’re 35 or older).

Infertility is common, and many things can contribute to it. Fortunately, about 9 in 10 couples are able to get pregnant after being treated for infertility. See Dr. LaBrant if you and your partner are struggling to achieve a successful pregnancy.

What are the common causes of infertility?

Things that increase the risk of infertility include:

• Ovulation disorders
• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Uterine polyps
• Low testosterone or low sperm count (your partner)
• Aging
• Eating disorders
• Toxin exposure
• Alcohol
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Excessive exercise
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Substance misuse
• Hormone changes
• Chronic diseases
• Vaginal, fallopian tube, or uterine abnormalities
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Poor egg quality
• Thyroid disease
• Genetics

Nearly 50 million couples worldwide struggle with infertility. Symptoms in women include pelvic pain and irregular or heavy periods. 

However, infertility can also be linked to a problem with your partner or underlying causes affecting both you and your partner.

How is infertility diagnosed?

Dr. LaBrant diagnoses the cause of infertility by reviewing your and your partners’ medical histories, medications, and lifestyles. 

She completes physical and pelvic exams and often orders blood work, an ultrasound, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, or other diagnostic procedures to find the root cause of your infertility and determine how to best treat it. 

Your partner might need to provide a semen sample or complete blood work and/or an ultrasound as well.

How is infertility treated?

Your custom infertility treatment plan depends on the underlying cause and can include:

• Healthy lifestyle changes
• Medication
• Hormone therapy
• Surgery
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
• In vitro fertilization (IFV)
• Other forms of assisted reproductive technology (ART)

It’s helpful to eat nutritious foods, take a multivitamin supplement, stay active, get enough sleep, minimize stress, and maintain a healthy weight. It’s vital that you and your partner avoid smoking, doing drugs, and drinking alcohol while trying to become pregnant.

Dr. LaBrant follows up to ensure that your fertility treatment works as designed and is always available to address questions or concerns. 

Schedule an infertility evaluation with Lia LaBrant, MD, by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.