Female Infertility

The faculty members of the Yale Fertility Center are subspeciality certified or eligible for certification in reproductive endocrinology. A range of endocrine disorders that may or may not be directly related to reproduction are diagnosed and treated by the reproductive endocrine faculty. Such disorders include hypothalamic-pituitary disease such as hyperprolactinemia, hypothalamic failure and certain tumors of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Other endocrine disorders treated in our center include thyroid and adrenal disease, increased hair growth, and hyperandrogenism. We also specialize in abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, and recurrent pregnancy loss. More...

Among the pioneers in the arena of fetal therapy, the Yale team is composed of the most experienced specialists in the region. Many of the procedures available to women with high risk pregnancies were first developed at Yale, including fetal transfusions, Percutaneous Umbilical Blood Sampling (PUBS) and invasive therapies such as fetal surgery.

Our physicians are qualified to treat both endocrine and surgical causes of infertility. The division's board certified reproductive endocrinologists diagnose and treat the full spectrum of disorders that cause infertility (including male factor infertility).

Our physicians are expert in the diagnosis of disorders of the ovary, fallopian tube, and the cervix.

• Approximately 30 percent of female infertility is caused by tubal disease, and all of our physicians are certified and highly competent in endoscopic surgery for the treatment of infertility caused by tubal disease, endometriosis, and congenital disorders of the reproductive tract.
  
• About 5% of all infertility is caused by a cervical factor and about 25% of all female infertility is caused by disorders of ovulation. Controlled ovarian stimulation and induction of ovulation is one of our team's primary specialties.

More about Endometriosis

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue (inner uterine lining) outside of the uterus. This disorder affects approximately 10% of women in their reproductive years, and may be found in up to 40% of women with infertility. Endometriosis often result in painful periods, pain at intercourse, pelvic scarring and/or decreased fertility. Although such symptoms may suggest its presence, the diagnosis can only be confirmed surgically. At Yale University we offer state of the art diagnosis and therapy for endometriosis. Our staff has extensive experience with all aspects of this disorder, including minimally invasive laser surgery, hormonal suppression and advanced reproductive technologies. In addition, we have active research interests in this area, and are recognized internationally for our contributions to better the understanding and treatment for women with endometriosis.

The physicians of the Female Infertility Program