Dr. Robert Strebel on Infertility

About 7.4 million women aged 15-44 in the United States have used infertility services, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

 

Dr. Robert Strebel of the Southwest Fertility Center at Dixie Regional says there are a number of possible causes for couples being unable to conceive.

 

“In approximately half of the cases it is due to the woman. Other times it may be due to the male or it may be unexplained.”

 

Dr. Strebel cites ovulatory problems as the most likely cause for infertility in women. “If women don’t ovulate, they can’t conceive.”

 

One common cause of irregular ovulation occurs when women are either overweight or underweight. “Most women seem to have an ideal body fat percent,” said Dr. Strebel. “If they get above or below that they stop ovulating. That explains why some athletes don’t ovulate – they don’t have any fat.”

 

Other causes may be thyroid disease, stress, or problems with the pituitary gland. “Most women who have ovulation problems also have irregular cycles,” said Dr. Strebel. “If a woman is having regular cycles and premenstrual symptoms, she is usually ovulating.”

 

Depending on the cause of the ovulation problem, doctors may suggest that a woman lose or gain weight. There are also several different medications available to encourage regular ovulation.

Blocked fallopian tubes or problems with the uterus or pelvis, including endometriosis, can also cause difficulties in becoming pregnant. “Our approach in how we deal with these problems has changed in the past few years,” said Dr. Strebel.  “In the past, we have spent a lot of time and money looking for reasons behind infertility and then treating them. While that may still be appropriate in some cases, we now know that some couples will have the same chance of getting pregnant whether we treat the problem or perform in vitro fertilization, and the expense may be similar or less with IVF.”

 

That has especially become the case at Dixie Regional recently since in vitro specialist Dr. Matthew Peterson has begun consulting with couples at the Southwest Fertility Center.

 

“Dr. Peterson is one of the nation’s leading experts in in vitro fertilization,” said Dr. Strebel. “Everything for IVF can now be done here except the retrieval of eggs and transfer of the embryo. Couples can usually accomplish that in one or two trips to Salt Lake. Reducing travel has brought down the cost substantially, and made it more convenient for patients.”

When is it time to see a fertility specialist? “We usually tell couples who wish to become pregnant to come see us in the fertility clinic if they have tried unsuccessfully for a year. In couples over age 35, we suggest six months,” said Dr. Strebel.

 

“In the past, those couples had to travel to the Wasatch Front or Vegas to get help. Now we can do most things here at Dixie Regional, and with a good success rate. It is exciting to see people taking babies home.”

 

This Live Well column represents collaboration between healthcare professionals, The Foundation of Dixie Regional Medical Center (a nonprofit hospital) and The Spectrum. Contact 251-2108 for more information.