Advanced fertility care in Dallas

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant with no success, the Health Central fertility specialists in Dallas offer advanced testing and treatments that can help you start or add to your family.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) defines Infertility as being unable to get pregnant after one year of having regular sexual intercourse without using birth control. If you are 35 years or older, ACOG recommends having an evaluation after six months of trying. And if you are older than 40, ACOG’s advice is to make an appointment with your OB-GYN now.

To make an appointment or to learn more about our OB-GYNs, visit Our Physicians or call (214) 365-1150.

Infertility testing

Infertility testing helps to eliminate potential causes, one by one, to determine the reason(s) you’ve been unable to conceive. Examples include low sperm count in men and endometriosis in women. Research attributes infertility equally to men and women, so we’ll work with you to assess and diagnose both male and female anatomical barriers to pregnancy. Testing will help your physician discover your specific causes of infertility and determine the proper treatment plan.

Tests we may recommend include:

  • A simple ‘ovarian reserve’ blood test to see how your ovaries have aged and how many eggs you still have. Your age can predict egg quality.
  • Hormonal testing to determine whether you are ovulating or may have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
  • Ovulation tests you can use at home.
  • A semen analysis to uncover issues with sperm quality, motility and quantity.
  • A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to help identify tubal blockages or uterine cavity abnormalities.
    Infertility treatment

When the journey to parenthood takes a detour, our fertility specialists can help get you back on track with infertility treatments that produce results. Our physicians will generally begin with the least invasive treatment options. Two of the most common fertility treatments used in general gynecology are ovulation induction with clomiphene (Clomid, Serophene) and intrauterine insemination (IUI). We often recommend these inexpensive and low-risk methods, which can be used alone or combined.

  • Clomid is a medication used to induce ovulation and may be used when a woman does not ovulate regularly or when the cause of infertility is unknown. Clomid is typically prescribed for five days, beginning early in the menstrual cycle. Along with increasing the chance for ovulation, it can also lead to a 10% greater chance for multiple ovulation (compared to a 1% chance during natural cycles). Side effects are uncommon and can include hot flashes, bloating, blurred vision and reversible ovarian enlargement.
  • Intrauterine insemination is an office procedure that is performed using washed and purified semen that is inserted via a tiny catheter through the cervix and deposited at the uterine fundus, near the opening of the fallopian tubes. IUI increases the chance of fertilization at the time of ovulation. This method can be used if there is a mild problem with the semen or if the cause of the infertility is unknown. IUI also allows a woman to conceive with a sperm donor’s semen.

If Clomid and/or IUIs don’t result in a pregnancy, we’ll discuss other options, such as minimally invasive laparoscopic day surgery, based on your test results.

Maximizing your chances for pregnancy

The ideal first steps in pregnancy include a preconception checkup with your OB-GYN to make sure you’re at your healthiest before you conceive. Also, taking prenatal vitamins containing folic acid for two to three months before getting pregnant can help you and your baby avoid many health concerns and birth defects.

Here are additional tips to help you conceive and have a healthy pregnancy:

  • Identify your ovulation window: For most women with regular periods, ovulation occurs about 14 days before the next period starts. Over-the-counter ovulation kits using urine can help a woman identify her most fertile window during the month, which can be especially helpful for women with irregular or unpredictable menstrual cycles. Pinpointing when ovulation is most likely to occur can allow a couple to plan intercourse for when the chance of conception is the highest.
  • Maximize frequency: Once you have identified the fertile window, having intercourse about every 48 hours during the most fertile few days will be the best way to maximize sperm delivery to the ovum. Sperm can survive in the female tract for up to three days, and sperm emissions that are too frequent (every day or more often) can decrease sperm counts on subsequent days, so the best frequency is thought to be every two days.
  • Give sperm a head start: After intercourse for conception, many fertility experts recommend resting on your back for about 30 minutes to allow the sperm a “head start” before jumping up and running to the bathroom to freshen up.
  • Make healthy lifestyle choices: Remember to avoid smoking, alcohol, illicit drugs and large amounts of caffeine during attempts for conception, as fertility can be affected.

Most couples under 35 will be able to conceive naturally within a year, but if you have specific fertility challenges from the past or are over 35, you’ll want to talk to your doctor before spending much time trying on your own.