Houston Methodist Fertility and Reproductive Medicine
About 1 in 6 couples experience infertility globally, making it one of the most common reproductive health challenges. Fertility and Reproductive Medicine at Houston Methodist is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of all causes of infertility in men and women. Our fertility and reproductive health specialists are leading authorities in fertility treatment for individuals and couples alike.
What Is Infertility?
Infertility is the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse, or after 6 months for women over the age of 35. It affects both men and women in roughly equal measure, and it can stem from one partner, both partners or an unidentified cause. Infertility treatment starts with finding the root cause. Most causes are treatable once identified.Common Causes of Infertility
Infertility can result from a wide range of underlying conditions. Common causes we treat include:
- Diminished ovarian reserve (low egg counts)
- Endometriosis
- Erectile dysfunction
- Female infertility
- Fertility preservation
- Hormone imbalances
- Hypothalamic dysfunction
- Low sperm count
- Male infertility
- Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), formerly called PCOS
- Premature ovarian failure
- Previous in vitro fertilization (IVF) failures
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Secondary infertility
- Unexplained infertility
Why Choose Houston Methodist for Fertility Care
The collaborative efforts of the Fertility and Reproductive Medicine team craft personalized fertility treatment plans that address your unique needs. Because infertility can have many causes, we work our program works with physicians across specialties, including:
- Reproductive endocrinology
- Gynecology
- Obstetrics
- Oncology
- Urology
Infertility can be an emotional diagnosis, but it’s a manageable one with the right team behind you. Fertility care works best when you have a fertility specialist you can trust. Houston Methodist’s team combines advanced reproductive medicine with compassionate, personalized care at every step, so you’re never navigating the journey alone.
To send documents, please fax 713.799.9628.
Types of Infertility We Treat
There are several forms infertility can take. At Houston Methodist, our reproductive medicine specialists are trained and experienced in treating them all.
- Female infertility: Difficulty conceiving due to factors affecting the ovaries, fallopian tubes or uterus.
- Male infertility: Difficulty conceiving due to sperm count, motility or other reproductive factors in men.
- Secondary infertility: Difficulty conceiving again after a previous successful pregnancy.
- Unexplained infertility: Infertility with no identifiable cause after a full diagnostic workup.
Signs and Symptoms of Infertility
- Irregular or absent periods: Cycles that are irregular, very light, very heavy or absent altogether can signal a hormone imbalance or an ovulation issue.
- Painful periods or intercourse: Pain during your period or painful intercourse can be a sign of endometriosis or uterine fibroids, both of which can contribute to infertility.
- Hormonal changes: Unexplained weight changes, excess facial or body hair (in women), acne or skin changes can all point to a hormonal cause of infertility, including polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), which you may know as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
- Low sperm count or sperm motility issues: In men, infertility often has no outward symptoms. A semen analysis is typically the first sign of an issue with sperm count.
- Recurrent miscarriage: Losing a pregnancy more than once can point to an underlying issue worth investigating with a reproductive medicine specialist.
How Infertility Is Diagnosed
- Fertility testing to evaluate ovarian reserve and overall reproductive health
- Hormone testing, a simple blood test that checks for imbalances that can affect ovulation
- Semen analysis to evaluate sperm count, motility and shape
- Genetic testing and chromosomal screening (CCS) to rule out inherited factors
- Imaging to check for fibroids, cysts or structural issues
Fertility Treatment Options
Our fertility and reproductive health specialists offer a full range of services focused on preserving fertility and helping to address the root causes of infertility so individuals and couples can successfully conceive via natural conception or assisted-reproductive technology (ART).
Non-Surgical Treatment
Many specialists begin with a conservative, non-invasive approach to fertility treatment. Whatever course of treatment is recommended, reproductive specialists will care for the whole patient, couple or family, to ensure their physical, mental and emotional health are all prioritized throughout the process. Non-surgical fertility treatments can include:
- Fertility medications, including Clomid, to stimulate ovulation
- Hormone treatment
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment, also known as artificial insemination
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- Egg retrieval and embryo transfer
- Egg freezing (cryopreservation)
- Egg donation using donor eggs
- Donor sperm
- Gestational surrogacy
- Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)
- LGBTQ family planning
- Intimacy and sex counseling
- Management of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
Surgical Treatment
At times, surgical options may be recommended, whether to treat the infertility directly or to treat the underlying cause. Surgical options include:
- Fallopian tube surgery to treat damage or blockage
- Laparoscopic ovarian cyst removal
- Uterine fibroid removal surgery
- Uterine septum correction
- Isthmocele repair surgery
- Sperm retrieval microsurgery
- Varicocele repair surgery
- Vasectomy reversal microsurgery
Seamless Care Coordination
Dealing with reproductive issues can be complex, both emotionally and physically. Coordinating your care shouldn’t be.
We feature a care navigator who can guide individuals and couples to the right fertility specialists, expedite and schedule appointments and more. They are here to help you take the first steps in getting your fertility health needs addressed.
Meet Your Care Navigator: Erika Mendez
