Fertility Services
Fertility Testing
About Fertility Testing
There may be several reasons why a woman may have difficulty conceiving. Therefore, at Women’s Health at Valley View, we work with women during fertility consultations and testing if you are hoping to start or add a new member to your family. For women who are trying to conceive over the age of 35 or are just having difficulty conceiving, our team of board-certified OB/GYNs will provide a thorough evaluation to determine what may be the cause. At our Glenwood Springs, Basalt, and Silt, CO locations, we desire to aid women of all ages to allow them to understand their fertility options and start them on their journey to motherhood. Contact one of our facilities today to learn more about fertility testing and how we can help you.
Ideal Candidates
There are a few symptoms, conditions, or circumstances that women who are having difficulty conceiving may exhibit, including:
- Extremely long or short menstrual cycles
- Irregular or a lack of menstrual cycles
- Painful periods
- Obesity
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- A misshapen uterus or fallopian tubes
- A history of multiple miscarriages
- Past cancer treatments, including radiation exposure or chemotherapy
Testing Options
At Women’s Health at Valley View, we offer several types of fertility testing based on existing symptoms/conditions that may be causing difficulty conceiving. Among these tests are:
- Ovulation tests: During this testing process, our OB/GYN specialists evaluate if an egg is being released during ovulation. Typically, a blood sample is taken to determine if hormone levels are in the normal range. We may also identify the quality and amount of eggs in your ovarian reserve by testing hormone levels among certain phases of the menstrual cycle.
- Ultrasounds: An ultrasound creates a sonogram image of the reproductive system. This allows our team of OB/GYNs to identify any abnormalities, such as growths, cysts, or an irregularly shaped uterus.
- Transvaginal ultrasounds: For a transvaginal ultrasound, a “wand” is inserted into the vagina to offer a thorough view of the uterus and ovaries. Similarly to an ultrasound performed on the abdomen, this allows our team to check for any fibroids, growths, or additional abnormalities that may be present on the fallopian tubes, uterus, or ovaries.
What to Expect
After fertility testing is conducted, our skilled team will be able to talk with you about your results. If an abnormality or condition is present, we will also be able to explain your options for treatment. At our practice, we have several options for infertility treatments and we will determine the best approach for you and your needs.
Learn About Your Options
When trying to conceive, it can be frustrating and heartbreaking when things don’t happen the way you planned. To learn about fertility testing and the treatments we offer at Women’s Health at Valley View, we invite you to contact one of our Colorado locations. We can help you learn more about your fertility options.
Infertility Treatments
About Female Infertility
There are several reasons why a woman may find it difficult to become pregnant, but thankfully, there are also treatment options available to help treat fertility issues. Our experienced team of OB/GYN specialists works with women to understand these options in order to hopefully help guide them toward a positive pregnancy test. We will be with you every step of the way during every appointment if you choose to go through with treatment, and we can answer any questions that you may have about the entire process. Contact Women’s Health at Valley View in Glenwood Springs, Basalt, or Silt, CO to learn more and to schedule your initial consultation with one of our board-certified OB/GYNs.
Indicators of Infertility
Issues with infertility in women can be caused by a variety of factors and have several indicators, including:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): an endocrine condition in which a woman’s eggs do not mature
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): caused by an infection in the reproductive organs that can lead to damage to the ovaries, uterus, or fallopian tubes
- Fibroids or polyps: noncancerous tumors in the uterus that can alter the shape of the womb or change the responsiveness of the endometrium
- Hormone imbalance: when the body creates too little or too much of a reproductive hormone
- Female aging: the chances of infertility can decrease as a woman ages due to the decline in quality and quantity of eggs
- Ovulatory dysfunction: a condition in which the ovaries do not create or release an egg throughout the menstrual cycle
- Menopause: this indicates that a woman’s supply of eggs is depleted
- Recurrent miscarriages: can be an indication of an existing fertility condition
- Endometriosis: affects the tissue lining of the womb (uterus) and can cause several symptoms, including infertility
- Unexplained infertility: in some cases, the cause of infertility may remain unknown even after testing
Treatment Options
Depending on what may have been detected during fertility testing, there are several treatment options that are available at Women’s Health at Valley View. Along with certain lifestyle changes, some treatments include:
- Clomid: This medication works by utilizing hormones to stimulate the release of mature eggs from the ovaries.
- Progesterone: As a hormone that naturally occurs in the body, progesterone is released by the ovaries and is essential for the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus. It can also be provided as a medication (as a gel, pill, or injection) to effectively treat infertility.
- HCG: Also known as human chorionic gonadotropin, HCG is a hormone that is created by the placenta and is released after a fertilized egg is implanted. It is required to sustain a pregnancy and can stimulate the production of progesterone, as well as cause ovulation. Typically administered through injections, HCG can be taken on its own to help aid in fertility or alongside additional fertility treatments, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI).
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): As an in-office procedure, IUI only takes a few minutes to perform. Prior to the procedure, sperm will be collected from the male and is washed in order to remove seminal fluid to concentrate the sperm. This prepared sperm is then inserted into the uterus by a thin catheter that is attached to a syringe, bypassing the cervix in order to place the sperm closer to the fallopian tubes. This raises the chances that the sperm will come in contact with the egg.
We Can Help
At Women’s Health at Valley View, we work with women to allow them to understand their fertility options to aid them in starting or growing their family. With several treatment options available, our team of OB/GYN professionals can work with you to understand your individualized needs before recommending the right one for you. Learn more by contacting us in Colorado to schedule a consultation.
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Lindsay Conner, MD,MPH,FACOG
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Katie J.. Mang-Smith, MD
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Emily R. McCarty, MD
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Hillary Seger, MD
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Katherine Van Deventer, MD
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Brooke M. Halliwell, DO
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Lindsey Bischoff, CNM
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Alexandra Bratschie, CNM
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Erin Crawley, CNM
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Teresa Hall, CNM
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Brenda Hanson, CNM
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Carole Inglis, CNM
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Kala Kluender, CNM
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Kerrie Kuhl, CNM
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Bonnie B. Sihler, CNM
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Eagle HealthCare Center
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2001 Horseshoe Trail
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(970) 945-2238 More Information