Being diagnosed with unexplained infertility means conventional tests don’t reveal any reason why you shouldn’t conceive. You can take a BCL6 test to check for markers of endometriosis, which is a leading cause of infertility. Fertility specialists may also recommend a CD138 test to check for markers of progesterone resistance and bacterial infection. Here are a few alternative therapies for managing infertility:
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Addressing Possible Endometriosis
If conventional tests don’t explain your infertility, explore other tests, like BCL6, which checks for markers of endometriosis. When endometrial cells and tissues grow where they’re not supposed to, they cause a condition known as endometriosis. Endometrial cells and tissues usually grow inside the uterus in preparation for fertilization and implantation. When fertilization doesn’t occur, the cells are shed and passed out as part of your menses. Sometimes these cells grow inside the pelvic cavity, the fallopian tube, or around the ovaries.
Because they grow in abnormal areas, these cells can stress surrounding tissues or block the fallopian tube, preventing fertilization from happening. Many cases of endometriosis are asymptomatic, meaning they don’t have obvious symptoms. Asymptomatic endometriosis often leads to unexplained infertility and requires special diagnosis involving BLC6 tests. Symptomatic endometriosis may cause pain, heavy periods, bowel issues, and other symptoms.
Specific tests check the level of the BCL6 protein, which signals inflammation of the uterine lining if the levels are high. If your test comes back positive, you can pursue further screening to confirm endometriosis. Fertility doctors offer various treatments, including birth control pills, surgical removal through laparoscopy, and medication to relieve symptoms like pain. Addressing endometriosis may improve your chances of getting pregnant and carrying a child to term without assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs).
Resolving Progesterone Resistance
If your BCL6 test comes back negative, you can get a CD138 test to check for markers of progesterone resistance. CD138 is a marker for plasma immune cells found in the uterine lining. When the levels of this plasma are high, it may suggest a possible bacterial infection or endometritis. Such infections compromise response to the hormone progesterone, which is required to prepare the uterine lining for implantation.
Progesterone resistance occurs when the body fails to respond efficiently to the hormone, compromising implantation. The resistance can lead to infertility and failed IVF treatment, even if you have normal progesterone levels. A positive result indicates that your uterine lining contains CD138-positive cells, which may signal the presence of endometritis. In such cases, your doctor will test the levels of progesterone to check if they’re normal.
If the progesterone levels are normal, your doctor may prescribe medication to improve progesterone receptor sensitivity. They also perform further diagnosis to confirm the bacterial infection or endometritis, which causes inflammation of the uterine lining. Endometritis is a bacterial infection that interferes with implantation and pregnancy. Treatment for chronic endometritis often involves antibiotics. Resolving endometritis and progesterone resistance improves uterine conditions, improving the chances of successful IVF cycles and implantation.
Exploring Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Sometimes your infertility can’t be explained by conventional tests, BCL6, or CD138. In such cases, your doctor may prescribe changes to your diet, exercise, and lifestyle. They recommend tracking ovulation and timing intercourse to improve the chances of fertilization and implantation. Professionals can also prescribe medications and hormone regimens to restore normal hormone levels and suitable conditions for pregnancy.
If such interventions don’t yield results, your doctor may recommend assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF and IUI. IVF involves selecting healthy sperm and eggs, and fertilizing them outside the womb. Medical professionals screen embryos for genetic disorders, and the healthiest are placed in the uterus for implantation. Individuals try IVF when endometriosis and other conditions have made it impossible for normal fertilization to occur.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves placing healthy sperm cells in the uterus to encourage fertilization. The treatment addresses male factor infertility caused by weak sperm. Doctors may also recommend using donor sperm and egg, cryopreservation, and surrogates. Donors provide high-quality sperm or eggs if yours are compromised, while cryopreservation involves harvesting and freezing eggs for future use. Surrogates agree to carry the pregnancy on your behalf and may use IVF involving embryos from you and your partner’s egg and sperm.
Start Treating Unexplained Infertility Today
Some infertility issues can be treated using diet, lifestyle changes, medication, and surgeries. If your condition is unexplainable, BCL6 and CD138 tests help reveal other conditions, such as endometriosis and progesterone resistance. Get tested today to find out more about endometriosis and other causes of unexplained infertility.
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