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Female Infertility

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Clinical Reproductive Medicine and Surgery

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Abstract

Infertility is a common medical condition that affects up to 15% of couples. In addition to the wide range of potential etiologies, infertility is complex in ways unique within Obstetrics and Gynecology given its involvement of both the patient and her partner as well as the variable insurance coverage and access to resources. The diagnosis of infertility, alongside the evaluation and treatment, can be an emotionally challenging and uniquely difficult time for patients and their partners alike; often impacting their quality of life and relationship. Importantly, with the delays in child-bearing in our society, the impact of a woman’s age and the biological clock are playing a critical role. Fortunately, with advances in diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers including assisted reproductive technologies, there are many options that can maximize a woman’s chances for building a family. This chapter outlines the initial evaluation of a patient with infertility including the most common etiologies, the diagnostic work-up, and current and evolving treatment options.

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Abbreviations

Infertility:

Defined as 1 year of unprotected intercourse without successful conception

Ovarian reserve:

Refers to the number and quality of remaining oocytes

Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH):

Is produced by the granulosa cells of ovarian follicles and reflects the primordial follicle reserve

Antral Follicle count (AFC):

A method of assessing ovarian reserve that utilizes transvaginal ultrasound in the early follicular phase to quantify the number of follicles between 2 and 10 mm in diameter

Hysterosalpingography (HSG):

Is a radiographic evaluation of the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Woman and Infants Hospital, Hospital of Rhode Island, OB/GYN, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI, 02905, USA

    Hope Y. Yu MD, Roxanne Vrees MD & Gary N. Frishman MD

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  1. Hope Y. Yu MD
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  2. Roxanne Vrees MD
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  3. Gary N. Frishman MD
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Correspondence to Gary N. Frishman MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

    Tommaso Falcone

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA

    William W. Hurd

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Yu, H.Y., Vrees, R., Frishman, G.N. (2017). Female Infertility. In: Falcone, T., Hurd, W. (eds) Clinical Reproductive Medicine and Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52210-4_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52210-4_12

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