Who We Can Help

Inflammation, infection, or a prior ectopic pregnancy in the pelvic cavity can result in damage to and/or blockage of the fallopian tubes. Diagnosis can be made by sonoHSG, HSG, or laparoscop y. The tubes can sometimes be cannulated if they are healthy but occluded; however, damaged tubes often require IVF or InvoCell™.

Prior Bilateral Tubal Ligation

Patients who meet specific criteria are candidates to have their tubal ligation reversed robotically. You and Dr. Davenport should weigh the risks and benefits of this surgery against IVF or INVOcell™ to determine the best management for you.

Diminished Ovarian Reserve

The number of eggs that a woman has remaining is constantly decreasing with age. If the ovaries are found to have diminished quantity or quality after ovarian reserve testing, we may suggest stimulating multiple eggs at a time (superovulation) with IUIs , or even IVF if DOR is severe. Donor eggs may also be necessary if the ovaries are severely depleted or damaged.

Premature Ovarian Insufficiency

This is when a woman undergoes menopause prior to age 40. POI can either be inherited or caused by outside factors. When present, donor eggs or donor embryos must be used with IVF if a woman wishes to become pregnant.

Fertility Preservation

Sometimes aging or life circumstances create a need or desire to cryopreserve one’s eggs or sperm for future use. We offer medically-indicated egg and sperm cryopreservation for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, and we offer elective egg cryopreservation for the aging woman whose life circumstances are not quite right yet for children.

Endometriosis

Sometimes the endometrium can implant onto surfaces outside of the uterus (bladder, pelvic walls, tubes, ovaries, etc). This can cause pain and/or infertility. Oftentimes, robotic or laparoscopic surgery is recommended for both diagnosis and symptom relief. However, infertility caused by endometriosis usually requires IUIs or IVF.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

This disorder can result in irregular menses, lack of ovulation, and androgen-related symptoms such as insulin resistance, acne, elevated triglycerides, unwanted hair growth, and weight gain. Often medications are required to induce ovulation, improve insulin resistance, or to reduce unwanted symptoms.

Irregular Menses

A metabolic / hormonal and anatomical workup will help to determine the cause of your irregular menses. Often ovulation induction medication is required if a hormonal or metabolic cause is suspected. If a lesion in the pelvic or uterine cavity is suspected to be the cause, hysteroscopy or laparoscopy may be necessary.

≥2 Prior Miscarriages

Several factors can cause repeated miscarriage. After a full workup has been performed, the suspected underlying cause may be treated. Hormonal deficits may be corrected with replacements, and anatomical causes may be corrected with surgery.

Chromosomal Mutations/Defects

Several types of chromosomal disorders exist, but only some of them can be screened for. Additionally, some can be inherited while others just happen sporadically to a single embryo. We offer disease carrier screening and karyotypes for infertile partners, and array-CGH on products of a miscarriage. We can also test for fragmentation in the DNA of sperm. For embryos we can perform pre-genetic testing. Ask your doctor which ones may be appropriate for you.

Uterine Fibroids

The muscle cells of the uterus can sometimes multiply rapidly and form a benign tumor called a fibroid. At least 60% of all women will have a fibroid detected at some point in their life. If fibroids are large enough or too close to the uterine cavity, they can result in infertility. If indicated, hysteroscopic or laparoscopic surgery can be performed to remove the fibroid(s) (myomectomy).

Intrauterine Polyps

The cells in the uterine lining can sometimes overgrow to form a uterine polyp. If large enough or many are present, polyps can interrupt an embryo’s ability to implant and grow. Hysteroscopic surgery can be performed to remove polyps.

Uterine Malformations

Sometime people are born with an abnormal uterine shape. This can be diagnosed with a special 3-D ultrasound or MRI. Uterine malformations can cause both infertility and recurrent pregnancy losses. Hysteroscopic correction is indicated for some uterine malformations.

Intrauterine Scarring

Adhesions (scarring) can form inside of the uterine cavity as a result of uterine surgery, infection, or other insult. These are detected with a saline-infusion ultrasound, and often can be successfully taken down with hysteroscopic surgery. However, if the uterine cavity cannot be successfully repaired, a gestational carrier will be necessary.

Semen/Sperm Abnormalities

A semen analysis will determine if a male factor may be present. The underlying cause will then be initially assessed via hormonal testing and exam. Fragmentation of sperm DNA may also be suspected and tested for in certain patients.

Prior Vasectomy

When the vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm to the ejaculate) has been interrupted, sperm can be retrieved directly from the testicle and used for IVF. Dr. Davenport is the only reproductive specialist in the region who has been trained in both testicular sperm retrieval and IVF, allowing both male and female partners to be treated by the same team of specialists.

Male Testosterone/Substance Use

Testosterone given from outside the body decreases the body’s ability to produce its own testosterone and may diminish or eliminate sperm production. This is usually reversible with special medications that restart the body’s testosterone and sperm production. IUIs or IVF with ICSI will only be required if sperm production does not recover adequately.

Unexplained Infertility

10-15% of all patients with infertility have their entire initial workup return normal. However, this diagnosis was defined when imaging and genetic testing was not as advanced as they are today. This means that with a thorough workup, likely less than 10% of patients will have to settle for this diagnosis. For truly unexplained infertility, the most successful methods of treatment when this diagnosis has been reached is IVF or INVOcell™, but superovulation with IUI is frequently attempted prior to IVF.