Care for Infertility-Related Conditions at NYU Langone Reproductive Specialists of New York
There are several underlying medical conditions, including cancer, that can contribute to infertility in women. The doctors at NYU Langone Reproductive Specialists of New York are board-certified obstetrician–gynecologists who provide treatment and care for people with these conditions.
Abnormal Uterus Shape
An abnormally shaped uterus may predispose you to a miscarriage. It may affect implantation, or cause premature labor and delivery. Women with congenital conditions known as Müllerian anomalies, in which the uterus, fallopian tubes, or other organs have not formed completely, may have difficulty becoming pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term. We use MRI, three-dimensional ultrasound, and saline sonogram to map the uterus and determine whether surgery is needed to reshape the organs.
Cancer
Our doctors provide fertility care for women and men who are newly diagnosed with cancer, as well as long-term cancer survivors. Certain cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, can sometimes lead to infertility. Fertility preservation, through egg, embryo, or sperm freezing, can provide pathways to parenthood after your recovery.
Cancer survivors can benefit from several kinds of infertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), surrogacy, and donor eggs or sperm. Our doctors provide timely, compassionate care and can help you determine the treatment that best suits your individual situation.
We also offer monogenic preimplantation genetic testing that examines embryos for genes linked with certain cancers. This is available for those using IVF to conceive and have a family history of a cancer that has been linked to a genetic mutation, such as breast cancer.
Our reproductive specialists work closely with the gynecologic oncologists at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center to offer fertility-preserving treatment.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a painful condition that causes the uterine lining to form outside the uterus. It can create scar tissue that can lead to infertility. Laparoscopic surgery to remove scar tissue can often restore fertility. We work with NYU Langone’s Advanced Endometriosis Center to help women with endometriosis achieve pregnancy.
History of Miscarriage
After a miscarriage, the uterus sometimes does not empty fully. The remaining tissue can lead to infection and scarring, and needs to be surgically removed before a woman attempts to become pregnant again.
Recurrent miscarriage is defined as having two or more pregnancies in a row that ended before the 20th week of gestation. We provide testing to determine whether there are structural issues inside the uterus that affect the progression of pregnancy, such as congenital abnormalities that affect the shape of the uterus, endometrial growths, fibroids, or polyps. Surgery can be an option to treat these conditions.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Hormone Imbalances
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and imbalances in hormones created by the thyroid, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland can all affect fertility. PCOS and thyroid disorders can cause irregular ovulation and menstruation. An imbalance in the hormones that trigger ovulation, such as prolactin, can also affect fertility. Your doctor tests your hormone levels and prescribes medications that can restore balance.
Tubal Disease
Women with tubal disease have blockages or damage to the fallopian tubes, which is the space where fertilization occurs. Laparoscopic surgery may be recommended to remove hydrosalpinx, which is a watery blockage in a fallopian tube, or to remove scar tissue caused by prior sexually transmitted infections or pelvic inflammatory disease. If the tubes cannot be opened, IVF is an option. For IVF, your egg is harvested and combined in a lab with sperm to create an embryo. That embryo is then transferred into your uterus, with the goal of implantation and pregnancy.