What to Do When You’re Facing Unexplained Infertility
Dealing with infertility is a highly personal and emotional experience. It can be frustrating and upsetting when you can’t figure out why you can’t get pregnant. At Southern California Fertility Center (SCFC) in La Jolla, we know how difficult it is when infertility has no known cause. You may have done all the “right” things, like tracked ovulation, taken supplements, and scheduled tests, only to be told that everything looks normal, yet pregnancy has not occurred.
Led by Dr. Nastaran Foyouzi, a reproductive endocrinologist and OB/GYN infertility specialist with a subspecialty in genetics, SCFC provides clarity, compassion, and a highly personalized approach to infertility treatment. Dr. Foyouzi and her team have helped with over 10,000 successful births and are known across the country for their excellent work in genetic testing and innovative approaches to assist with fertility and pregnancy. They’re ready to guide you through this tough time. In this blog, we take a deeper look at infertility, offer insights, support, and resources for all individuals facing infertility.
What Unexplained Infertility Means
Unexplained infertility is diagnosed when standard fertility tests such as semen analysis, ovulation tracking, hormone level assessments, and evaluations of the fallopian tubes show normal results. Yet, pregnancy does not occur after 12 months of trying (or 6 months if you are over 35). This condition accounts for approximately 10–30% of infertility cases.
Getting an unexplained infertility diagnosis is confusing. This means you have no clear answers and are often left with more questions.
The Biggest Cause of Unexplained Infertility
When doctors talk about “unexplained infertility,” it means they haven’t found the cause yet, even though there is one. Often, the reasons are minor issues that regular tests can’t detect, including:
- Egg quality problems that standard ovulation or hormone tests do not detect
- Sperm function defects, even if the count and motility appear normal
- Issues with embryo implantation related to uterine receptivity or immune system responses
- Subclinical endometriosis or inflammation
- Genetic mismatches or chromosomal abnormalities that hinder successful development
- Age-related infertility: Age-related infertility is the decline in fertility that occurs as individuals, especially women, grow older due to decreased egg quality and quantity
Dr. Nastaran Foyouzi, a leading 
reproductive endocrinologist at Southern California Fertility Center, helps women overcome pregnancy challenges. With thousands of successful births, she specializes in treating conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and diminished ovarian reserve. Dr. Foyouzi also focuses on reproductive genetics, using advanced testing methods such as Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) to check embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before implantation.
The First Step Treatment for Unexplained Infertility
At Southern California Fertility Center, we first try the simplest and most proven methods that fit your age, family plans, and how much time you have. A common first step in treatment might be:
- Helping You Ovulate with Timed Intercourse or Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): This involves using pills like Clomid or letrozole to help you release an egg. Then, you’ll either have intercourse at a specific time, or we’ll put sperm right into your uterus (IUI).
- Lifestyle Optimization: We assess factors like your body mass index (BMI), stress levels, sleep quality, and environmental exposures. Even minor adjustments in these areas can lead to improvements in hormonal balance and reproductive health.
- Baseline Testing and Imaging: We conduct tests such as the Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) test, Hysterosalpingogram (HSG), and ultrasounds to ensure that no subtle factors affecting fertility have been overlooked.
For more information about common fertility barriers and treatment options, please explore our SCFC Services for Common Conditions Preventing Pregnancy.
How to Handle Infertility When the Cause is Unknown
Dealing with infertility that has no clear cause requires a strategy, support, and medical knowledge. At SCFC, we believe it’s important to find the reason behind your infertility, even when it’s not obvious. Here is how we assist our patients:
- Care Designed for You: We start with thorough check-ups and honest talks before trying strong treatments. If the first treatments don’t work after three to six tries, we’ll change the plan to suit you.
- Modern IVF Choices: If needed, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can be a helpful next step. At SCFC, we tailor our IVF plans to meet your needs, offering options like Mini IVF, Natural IVF, or Gender Selection IVF, depending on your preferences. For many patients whose infertility is unexplained, IVF with Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT-A or PGT-M) helps find embryos with chromosome problems that might otherwise be missed.
- Advanced Genetic Tests: Dr. Foyouzi’s extensive knowledge of reproductive genetics allows us to offer genetic matching, chromosome checks, and embryo analysis. These tests help us work toward the best possible health results.
- Improving Ovarian Function: Some patients may benefit from Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, which can help rejuvenate the ovaries. PRP may enhance egg quality and support ovulation, especially for women in their late 30s and early 40s.
- Emotional Health: Fertility involves more than just physical health, as stress, sadness, and uncertainty can influence your hormones and overall well-being. That’s why we offer emotional support, fertility guidance, and stress-relief techniques as part of your treatment.
A Message of Hope
Just because the reason for your infertility is unknown doesn’t mean it can’t be treated. It just means more investigation is needed, and we are here to assist. At Southern California Fertility Center, we use the latest technology and a comprehensive approach to provide you with effective treatments and optimism.
At Southern California Fertility Center, we use advanced technology and a caring approach to provide effective treatments and hope. Whether you’re new to this process or have been looking for solutions for a while, we’re here to help. With Dr. Foyouzi’s support and our dedicated staff, we will help you understand your situation better and move forward with optimism.
📍 Visit us in La Jolla or schedule your initial consultation today.
Poor egg quality can be difficult to identify without fertility testing, but some signs may include difficulty conceiving, multiple miscarriages, or failed IVF cycles. Women may also experience irregular or absent periods, as well as poor embryo quality during fertility treatments.
Improving egg quality naturally can be achieved by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Focus on a fertility-boosting diet rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and lean proteins. Reducing exposure to toxins, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and managing stress through acupuncture or meditation can also help improve egg health.
Poor egg quality can be caused by various factors, including aging (especially after 35), hormonal imbalances, genetic abnormalities, lifestyle choices (such as smoking and excessive alcohol), and environmental toxins. Chronic health conditions and certain medications can also affect egg quality.
Foods rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and essential vitamins can help improve egg quality. Consider adding foods such as leafy greens (like spinach), berries, nuts (like walnuts), fatty fish (such as salmon), and whole grains (like quinoa) to your diet. These foods support hormonal balance and reduce oxidative stress.
Yes, acupuncture can help improve egg quality by promoting blood circulation to the ovaries and balancing hormone levels. It has been shown to support overall fertility by reducing stress and improving ovarian function. Many women incorporate acupuncture alongside other fertility treatments to enhance their chances of conception.
While poor egg quality can make conception more difficult, it is still possible to get pregnant. For women with poor egg quality, assisted reproductive technologies like IVF (with egg retrieval) or egg donation can increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. It’s essential to consult a fertility specialist to explore the best options for your situation.
Supplements like Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), Vitamin D, Myo-Inositol, and Folic Acid are commonly recommended to improve egg quality. These supplements help enhance mitochondrial function in eggs, regulate reproductive hormones, and support overall fertility. Consult with your doctor before starting any supplementation.
Late ovulation can sometimes be associated with poor egg quality. Eggs released later in the cycle may not be as viable, and hormonal imbalances can affect ovulation timing. If you’re experiencing late ovulation or irregular cycles, it’s a good idea to consult a fertility expert for evaluation and advice on improving egg quality.
