Understanding Unexplained Infertility: What It Means and How It’s Treated

While many causes of infertility can be diagnosed with standard testing, sometimes test results come back normal—and conception still doesn’t happen. This scenario is known as unexplained infertility, and while this term can feel ambiguous and frustrating, it’s important to know that unexplained infertility is a recognized medical condition, and there are proven, effective treatment options that can help. 

What Is Unexplained Infertility? 

Unexplained infertility is diagnosed when a couple is unable to conceive despite undergoing a full fertility workup with normal results. This typically includes evaluations of: 

• Ovulation and hormone levels 

• Fallopian tube and uterine health 

• Semen analysis  

When all these assessments appear normal, but pregnancy hasn’t occurred after one year of trying, or six months for women over age 35, the cause is classified as unexplained. 

It’s estimated that up to 30% of infertility cases fall into this category. This diagnosis does not mean there’s nothing wrong—it means current testing is unable to identify a specific issue. It may involve subtle factors like minor egg or sperm quality concerns, embryo development problems, or timing and implantation issues that aren’t easily detected. While that uncertainty can be difficult, many patients still have a very good chance of conceiving with the right treatment plan. 

Common Treatment Options 

With the right team of fertility specialists, many people with unexplained infertility go on to have successful pregnancies. Here are a few of the most common treatment paths: 

1. Lifestyle Adjustments 

In some cases, addressing underlying lifestyle factors—such as stress, diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol use—can positively influence fertility. A fertility specialist may recommend evidence-based wellness changes tailored to individual needs. 

2. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) 

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves stimulating the ovaries with medications like Clomid (clomiphene citrate) or letrozole to induce ovulation or produce a “better” ovulation. The sperm is then placed directly into the uterus during ovulation.  

3. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) 

IVF allows fertility specialists to closely monitor egg development, fertilization, and embryo quality—offering more insight into where challenges may be occurring. IVF also enables additional interventions, such as: 

• Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) 

• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) 

• Embryo freezing for future cycles 

Staying Hopeful 

A diagnosis of unexplained infertility can feel confusing, but it doesn’t mean there’s no path forward. With today’s medical advances, fertility specialists can often find effective treatments even when the cause isn’t immediately clear.  

At The Reproductive Medicine Group, we’re here to guide you through every step of your fertility journey with compassion, expertise, and individualized care. If you’ve been trying to conceive without success and want answers—or a plan—we’re here to help. 

Contact us to schedule a consultation and explore your next steps with confidence and hope.