Infertility Treatment
For More InformationIf you have been trying to have a baby without success, Duke fertility specialists can help you understand your options. We diagnose the barriers that may be standing in your way, provide thoughtful counsel and make treatment recommendations. We also facilitate other ways to grow your family that align with your situation. Our goal is to help you achieve success in the shortest time possible but also to make sure you take the time to carefully consider the nuances of your decisions.
Temporary Changes to Care Due to COVID-19
As part of our ongoing efforts to reduce and prepare for the spread of COVID-19, we are sorry to inform you about temporary changes to the care we provide. We realize these changes can be very upsetting and inconvenient. We appreciate your patience and understanding. The temporary changes are being made in response to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations.
We are currently offering the following services:
- Ongoing monitoring, treatment, and procedures for fertility treatment cycles started prior to March 18, 2020.
- Laboratory blood draws for ongoing treatment cycles and pregnancy surveillance.
- Early pregnancy ultrasounds and problem visits for Duke Fertility Center patients.
- Telephone consults and telehealth visits with Duke Fertility Center providers
- Daytime communication via our front desk, nursing lines, and MyChart during normal office hours (7:30 am to 5:00 pm).
- After hours communication via the paging line (919-684-8111; ask for REI physician on-call).
- Urgent surgical procedures.
Semen analyses and blood draws can be scheduled to occur after May 1st. Please call to make your appointment.
Currently, the following services are not being offered:
- New fertility treatment cycles including in-vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), or frozen embryo transfer (FET)
- Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
- Semen analysis
- Saline Infusion Sonogram (SIS)
- Non-urgent surgical procedures (hysteroscopy, laparoscopy)
We continue to provide care to you and your loved ones and hope to resume all services as soon as it is safe and in accordance with ASRM and CDC recommendations. We will post updates here.
When to Seek Infertility Treatment
You may want to seek care from a fertility specialist if you and your partner:
- Have been unable to get pregnant after 12 months of unprotected sex
- Are over age 35 and have been unable to conceive after six months of unprotected sex
- Have infertility risk factors including:
- Concerns about your reproductive health
- A medical condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis or fibroids
- You have undergone cancer treatment
- Repeated miscarriages
- Suspected or known male infertility
If you are part of an LGBTIQ couple, you may want to meet with a fertility specialist to understand your options for starting or growing your family.
If you are single and want to start a family, we help create an individualized plan to help you reach your goal.
Our team of fertility specialists can evaluate your situation, conduct tests to determine if there is an underlying cause of your infertility, and recommend a range of infertility treatments to help you conceive and have a baby. At the same time, because infertility can cause anxiety and put stress on relationships, our psychologist can help you with this process through consultations, individual and couple support groups, and more.
Duke Fertility Center is located off I-40 on Fayetteville Road in Durham. We offer infertility testing, counseling, and treatment in a comfortable setting.
Fertility Evaluation and Testing
The first step is a consultation with one of our fertility specialists. They will evaluate your medical history, conduct a physical exam, and get a better understanding of your circumstances. They will also recommend tests to identify whether a medical condition is causing your infertility.
Fertility Testing
Initial fertility testing may include semen analysis, ovulation testing, hormone testing, and tests to estimate your egg count.
Pelvic Ultrasound
Your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries can be safely and painlessly evaluated using a vaginal ultrasound probe. Ultrasounds are performed throughout the fertility testing and treatment process.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
A hysterosalpingogram uses X-rays to evaluate your fallopian tubes and the inside of your uterus. A contrast dye is injected into the uterus through a thin tube that is threaded through the vagina and cervix. The dye helps show the outline of the fallopian tubes and can identify a blockage or abnormality. This test is performed in the comfort of our clinic by one of our doctors.
Sonohysterogram (SHG)
This procedure uses ultrasound to evaluate your uterus and the shape of your uterine cavity. A saline solution is put in the uterus through a thin tube that is inserted through the vagina and cervix. The solution fills the uterus and allows your doctor to see any abnormalities in the uterine cavity, such as fibroids, polyps or scar tissue.
Anonymous egg donor volunteers complete a confidential medical and psychiatric evaluation, including testing for infectious diseases and genetic disorders at no cost to potential egg donors. Call 919-572-4673 for more information.
Why Choose Duke
We Offer Affordable Infertility Treatment Options
We routinely recommend the least expensive, least invasive treatment options available. If more expensive treatments are required, such as IVF, our financial representatives can help you understand your options, and help you with financial assistance through our partnership with an organization called the ARC Fertility Network.
We Offer Options for Every Person
We help everyone who wants to grow their family, whether you are a heterosexual couple, single person, lesbian, gay or transgender couple. We tailor our recommendations to your needs.
We Have a Comprehensive Stress Reduction Program
Fertility diagnosis and treatment is often emotionally draining. To address the stress, our clinical psychologist provides individual and couple support groups and therapy. She is also available for consultations if you need support deciding which path to take, or if you and your partner are not in agreement about the next steps.
You May Benefit from On-Site Acupuncture
We identify targeted strategies and tools that help you cope and feel better while you are trying to conceive.
Our High-Tech Clinic Is Built for Comfort
Our ultra-sterile in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory is designed to maintain air of the highest quality. A sophisticated positive pressure filtration system eliminates airborne toxins and pathogens that can impede the chances of a successful pregnancy after IVF.
