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Fertility treatments at Geisinger
You don't have to go it alone if you’re facing infertility. You’ll find empowerment and support from our fertility specialists during your journey toward parenthood.
What is a reproductive endocrinologist?
A reproductive endocrinologist (also called a fertility specialist) diagnoses and treats infertility. They can help pinpoint why you aren’t getting pregnant and suggest fertility treatments tailored to your needs and goals. Some treatments they might suggest are:
- Fertility testing
- Fertility medications
- Artificial insemination
- Reproductive surgery
- Egg, sperm or embryo freezing
- Egg or sperm donation
- In vitro fertilization
When to see a fertility specialist
Infertility is more common than you might think, and your risk increases with age. In general, if you’ve been trying to conceive for a year without success, you should consider seeing a fertility specialist, but this timing may vary based on your age and situation:
- Over age 35 and trying for six months
- Over age 39 and trying for three months
- Have known ovulatory dysfunction such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and trying for six months
- Have history of ectopic pregnancy or repeated miscarriages
Our goal is to help you determine the cause of your infertility and create a care plan that’s tailored to you.
Make an appointment
Book an appointment with one of our fertility specialists in MyGeisinger.
Fertility testing
Determining the cause of infertility is the first step in finding the best fertility treatments for you. At Geisinger, minimally invasive fertility tests are performed in your specialist’s office and may include:
- Semen analysis to examine sperm quantity and quality
- Laboratory evaluation of blood samples
- X-ray procedures (hysterosalpingography or HSG procedure) to check for potential blockages or abnormalities in the uterine cavity or fallopian tubes
- Ultrasound (sonohysterography) to examine the uterus for abnormalities
- Minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure to evaluate the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and pelvic cavity through a small abdominal incision
Fertility treatment options
Once the cause of your infertility has been determined, your fertility specialist will work with you to create a treatment plan that’s right for you and your partner. Fertility treatments at Geisinger include:
If you and your partner have tried other fertility treatments without success, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be a great option for you. Though an advanced treatment, IVF is commonly used for patients with the following conditions:
- Endometriosis
- Fallopian tube damage or blockage
- Prior tubal ligation
- Ovulation disorders
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Low sperm production or function
- Unexplained infertility
Even if you don’t have any of these conditions but have been unsuccessful in getting pregnant, IVF can drastically increase your chance of conceiving.
Our experienced fertility specialists and highly trained staff are here to support you and guide you through your IVF treatment.
The basics: How does IVF work and what’s involved?
In an IVF treatment cycle, your specialist will use fertility drugs to gently stimulate your ovaries to help produce mature eggs. When ready, your eggs will be retrieved and placed with sperm (either from your partner or from a donor) together in a special dish to produce high-quality embryos, which are closely monitored. The carefully selected embryo or embryos are then placed in your uterus in a process called an embryo transfer. This boosts your chances of pregnancy.
A typical IVF treatment cycle occurs in a few steps:
- Stimulation of ovaries to produce mature eggs
- Egg and sperm retrieval
- Fertilization of the egg with sperm
- Embryo development and growth
- Embryo transfer to uterus
- Pregnancy test
PGT-A/PGT-M testing
Genetic tests are performed to determine if an embryo is euploid or aneuploidy. This helps your fertility specialist select the best embryo for transfer to improve your chance of pregnancy.
Dr. Gell discusses IVF treatment at Geisinger
What to expect when you see a fertility specialist
You don’t have to travel far to get the advanced care you need — our fertility specialists see patients in Danville, State College and Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
To begin evaluating potential causes of infertility, your specialist will talk in-depth with you and your partner about your medical histories. Then they’ll perform any necessary fertility testing.
Pinpointing the cause of your infertility may take some time, but don’t be discouraged. Once your specialist determines the cause, they will develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Your first appointment checklist
Being prepared for your first appointment with a fertility specialist can reduce stress and make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. Here’s what to bring to your first fertility appointment:
- A copy of your medical records from your OB-GYN, primary care physician or urologist, if applicable (you may send them over before your appointment)
- Insurance cards (for you and your partner, if applicable)
- A list of questions
- Your partner or a supportive relative or friend to help you digest information and ask questions