One in six couples, who are trying to conceive, will experience problems with infertility. As many as fifteen million people seek infertility treatment annually in the U.S. It affects men and women in equal numbers, and has many causes. If you have been trying to conceive for more than one to two years, you may need to consider seeking infertility treatments.

If you are not sure what the normal statistics are for conception, here is a quick guide:

In any given month, a fertile couple has a 20% chance of conceiving. To extend the numbers over time, the chance of achieving pregnancy within three month rises to 57%, and at six months it is 75%.

Educate Yourself

The first step you should take is to educate yourself on the causes of infertility, and which treatment option is right for you. A consultation with a doctor at a Massachusetts fertility clinic will help you gain valuable insight. The doctor should answer all of your questions, explaining the details of the entire process, from testing to treatment.

Choosing a Massachusetts Fertility Clinic

When searching for a fertility clinic in Massachusetts, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost, the clinic you choose should be recommended by a medical doctor. The success rate, often called live birth rate, is of vital importance in your decision. Cost and quality of service are also important and, depending on your preferences, you might consider such things as distance from home and availability of counseling.

Testing

When you are ready to begin testing at a Massachusetts fertility clinic, both partners will be assessed. For the male, a semen analysis will be done to determine sperm count and activity level.

For the female, there are numerous tests that may be done. Among them, the most common are various hormone tests, ultrasound tests and a blood test to determine whether have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which is the single most common cause of infertility in women.

Treatment Options

Massachusetts fertility clinics offer a wide array of treatment options, depending upon your needs. In some instances, you may need nothing more than fertility drugs. These have also been proven effective when paired with a minimally invasive artificial insemination procedure, which is used to help "lazy sperm" along in their journey to reach the egg.

Surgery may be required to correct blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, and other more serious reproductive issues. This is usually done with a laparoscope but, in some cases, may require an abdominal incision.

When all else has failed, your Massachusetts fertility doctor may turn to more high tech alternatives, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). This is a more invasive procedure, in which several mature eggs are removed from your ovaries. They are fertilized in a laboratory, with your partner's sperm. When they reach the embryo stage (usually 3-5 days), they are implanted into your uterus and, hopefully, mature into full term babies. One important caveat is that, with IVF, there is a 30% chance of multiple births.

The Journey To Parenthood

Once your treatment has proven successful, your journey to the miracle of birth is just beginning. Massachusetts fertility clinics offer ongoing care and support throughout the entire course of your pregnancy. With your doctor's help, you and your partner will make a smooth transition from happy couple, to happy family.