The diagnosis of unexplained infertility means that, despite undergoing extensive fertility evaluation, no apparent cause of infertility has been found.
Although most of these patients have infertility factors related to the eggs, sperm, or Fallopian tubes, the specific information has not yet been uncovered through testing. Infertility related to the quality of eggs represents the most “unexplained” infertility since it is challenging to diagnose.
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that combining intrauterine insemination (IUI) with fertility shots was not more successful in treating unexplained infertility compared to intercourse alone.
In a long-term follow-up of this study, hundreds of couples diagnosed with unexplained infertility were tracked. Only 6.6% remained childless throughout their reproductive lifetime. Couples who underwent one or more cycles of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) had a 92% probability of achieving a live birth. Additionally, many couples who attempted to conceive spontaneously without medical assistance were also successful (64%).
The researchers concluded that couples with unexplained infertility have a high likelihood of achieving a live birth through treatment and often go on to have additional live births, many of which occur without any treatment. They emphasized that seeking treatment earlier allows for the possibility of a larger family.
In Vitro Fertilization is the most common treatment for patients with unexplained infertility. IVF not only serves as a valuable diagnostic tool to establish the cause of infertility but also has the potential to address or bypass the issue and lead to pregnancy
