Unexplained Infertility Facts | Dr Rama Sofat Hospital

      Unexplained Infertility Facts | Dr Rama Sofat Hospital

Unexplained infertility is treated empirically. 

The most common treatment map for unexplained infertility looks like this:

1.Lifestyle changes recommended (like weight loss, quitting smoking)

2.Continue to try on your own (if you’re young and willing) for six months to a year

3.(Rarely) third-party IVF treatments (like using an egg donor or surrogate)

Below is a closer look at each of these approaches and the odds of pregnancy success.

However, proceeding straight to IVF and skipping IUI may be the best choice if you’re age 38 or older.

This is something to discuss with your doctor.

Beyond IVF for Unexplained Infertility
What if IVF alone isn’t enough? Or what if traditional IVF fails?

There may be other options.

Reproductive immunological treatments: There is a theory that natural killer cells may play a role in unexplained infertility, repeated IVF failure, or recurrent miscarriage.

Intravenous infusion with a substance known as intralipids during IVF treatment may reduce the impact of excessive natural killer cells.

However, there’s currently no strong evidence this treatment can improve IVF live birth rates.

Removal of endometrial deposits: Some believe that unexplained infertility may be caused by mild endometriosis.

In this case, the endometrial deposits may not be causing pain or directly interfering with ovulation or the fallopian tubes, but their presence may increase “irritation” of the reproductive system.

This may be the cause for repeated IVF failure, according to this theory.

Some doctors will suggest laparoscopic surgery to diagnosis and remove mild endometriosis before IVF is attempted. Others only suggest it after repeated IVF failure.


Gamete donation: If egg, sperm, or embryo quality problems are discovered during IVF, your doctor may recommend using a gamete or embryo donor for your next IVF cycle.

Egg donation is the most expensive option, followed by embryo donation, and then sperm donation.

Success rates for egg donors are generally high, which is good news.

Embryo donation rates will vary depending on the source of the embryo. For example, many embryo donations come from extra embryos created for another infertile couple’s IVF treatment.

Surrogacy: If IVF treatment repeatedly fails after embryo transfer, surrogacy may be the next step.


Surrogacy is extremely expensive and not (easily) legally available in all areas. For those that can afford and access surrogacy services, it can be their path the parenthood.