Home Treatments for Adults Obstetrics and Gynecology

Infertility Treatment

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If you have been trying to conceive without success, Duke Health fertility specialists at the Duke Fertility Center can help you understand your options. We can recommend diagnostic testing to identify any barriers to conceiving, provide thoughtful counsel, and make treatment recommendations. We can also provide guidance regarding alternative ways to grow your family that align with your situation and preferences. Our goal is to help you achieve success in the shortest time possible and ensure your treatment plan feels personalized to you.

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When to Seek Infertility Treatment

You may want to seek care from a fertility specialist if you: 

  • Have been unable to get pregnant after 12 months of unprotected sex (or after 6 months if you are over the age of 35)
  • Have risk factors for infertility including:
  • Will need donor eggs, donor sperm or a gestational carrier to grow your family

Our team of fertility specialists can evaluate your situation and conduct tests to determine the underlying cause of your infertility. In addition, we can recommend a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your family-building goals. At the same time, because infertility can cause anxiety and put stress on relationships, our psychology team can help guide you through this process by offering education, individual and couples therapy, infertility support groups, and more.
 

Duke Fertility Center

Visit our location in Morrisville where we offer infertility testing, counseling, and treatment in a comfortable setting.

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Getting Started

The first step is a consultation with one of our fertility specialists. They will evaluate your history and ask about your family-building goals. They will also recommend appropriate diagnostic tests to help identify any factors that may impact your fertility.

Fertility Testing

The recommended fertility testing will depend upon your circumstances but may include blood work to measure hormone levels, infectious disease screening, genetic screening, imaging studies to evaluate the anatomy of your reproductive tract, and a semen analysis.

Pelvic Ultrasound

Your uterus and ovaries can be safely and painlessly evaluated using a vaginal ultrasound probe. Ultrasounds are also performed to monitor how well you are responding to treatments. 

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

A hysterosalpingogram is an X-ray designed to evaluate your fallopian tubes and the inside of your uterus. A contrast dye is injected into the uterus through a thin tube that is placed into the cervix. The contrast dye shows the outline of uterus and the fallopian tubes and can identify any blockages or abnormalities.

Sonohysterogram (SHG)

This procedure is a specialized ultrasound that involves the placement of a saline solution into the uterus through a thin tube that is inserted into the cervix. The solution fills the uterus and allows your doctor to see any abnormalities in the uterine cavity, such as fibroids, polyps, or scar tissue.

Treating Infertility at the Duke Fertility Center

Surgical Procedures

If necessary, our surgeons can perform outpatient surgical procedures to diagnose or manage conditions that may impact your fertility.

Hysteroscopy

This procedure is used to diagnose or treat a problem within the uterus. A tiny camera called a hysteroscope allows your doctor to view the inside of your uterus. Your doctor can then remove polyps, fibroids, or scar tissue.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy allows your doctor to visualize your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. They will look inside your pelvic cavity using a laparoscope -- a camera inserted through a small incision in your belly button. This procedure can identify and treat endometriosis, scar tissue, ovarian cysts, and other conditions.

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Fertility Treatment

We encourage you to discuss all available fertility treatment options with your provider to determine which option is best for you.

Natural Cycle Monitoring

We monitor your cycle using blood tests and vaginal ultrasound to confirm ovulation and provide guidance regarding the best time for intercourse.

Fertility Medications

If you have irregular periods, this can be a sign of infrequent ovulation. Fertility medications can be used to stimulate egg production and promote ovulation. If you have regular periods, fertility medications can be used to promote the release of multiple eggs, increasing the chances of pregnancy.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

In this procedure, the andrology lab will separate sperm from the rest of the semen. These sperm will then be inserted directly into your uterus using a small catheter. This procedure can improve fertility when low sperm count or motility are concerns. In addition, it can be used when unexplained infertility is present.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

IVF is a multi-step process. First, fertility drugs will be prescribed to stimulate the development and maturation of several eggs. The eggs are then retrieved from the ovaries using a long needle under ultrasound guidance. To avoid discomfort, an anesthesiologist provides intravenous sedation.

The eggs are fertilized in a lab by combining them with sperm, or by injecting a single sperm into each egg through a procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Embryos are then cultured in the laboratory for up to one week. An embryo can then be transferred into the uterus.
 

Related Conditions

Additional Services

Fertility Preservation

If you are not yet ready to conceive but wish to preserve your fertility for the future, you may choose to freeze eggs, sperm, or embryos for use at a later date. 

  • You may want to consider this if:
  • You are going through treatments (chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery) that may impact your future fertility
  • You're planning gender transition therapy
  • You wish to delay family-building efforts
     

Third-Party Reproduction

Individuals or couples who need donor eggs, donor sperm, or a gestational carrier can seek treatment at Duke Fertility Center knowing that we have extensive experience in third-party reproduction cases. In addition, we offer an in-house egg donation program.

Egg Donation

Individuals or couples who need a donor egg because of age or other factors can arrange to have a friend or relative act as an egg donor, or apply to be matched with someone from the local area who has volunteered to be an anonymous egg donor.

Interested in Becoming an Egg Donor Volunteer?

Anonymous egg donor volunteers complete a confidential medical and psychiatric evaluation, including testing for infectious diseases and genetic disorders at no cost to potential egg donors. Call 919-572-4673 for more information.

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Why Choose Duke

Affordable Fertility Treatment Options
We strive to offer cost-effective options for all of our patients. If more expensive treatments like IVF are recommended, our financial care counselors can help you understand your options. Financing plans are available through our partnership with the ARC Fertility Network.

LGBTQ+ Fertility Options
We tailor your treatment plan to meet your unique needs, regardless of whether you are single, heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.

Comprehensive Stress Reduction Program
Fertility diagnosis and treatment is often emotionally draining. To address that stress, our clinical psychologist provides individual and couples therapy, support groups, and more. The team is also available for consultation if you need support deciding which path to take, or if you and your partner are not in agreement about the next steps.

State of the Art Laboratory 
Our ultra-sterile in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory is designed to maintain the highest level of air quality. A sophisticated positive pressure filtration system eliminates airborne toxins and pathogens that can impede the chances of a successful pregnancy after IVF.

Best Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology in North Carolina

Where you receive your care matters. Duke University Hospital is proud of our team and the exceptional care they provide. That is why our obstetrics and gynecology program is nationally ranked, and is the highest-ranked program in North Carolina, according to U.S. News & World Report for 2024-2025.

This page was medically reviewed on 12/03/2021