The journey to parenthood can be filled with challenges, and infertility often presents unexpected obstacles for many couples. While infertility is a complex issue, understanding its various causes in both men and women”as well as the wide range of treatments now available”can provide hope. Whether you are facing primary or secondary infertility, gaining insight into the contributing factors and exploring appropriate solutions increases your chances for a successful conception. Let's explore this important topic together.
What is Infertility?
Infertility is defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after one year (or two years) of regular, unprotected intercourse. It can be classified as primary infertility, where pregnancy has never occurred, or secondary infertility, which refers to difficulty conceiving after previously achieving pregnancy.
Causes of Infertility
Infertility is a multifaceted issue influenced by a range of factors. Approximately one-third of cases are attributed to male factors, another third to female factors, and the remaining cases result from a combination of both partners' issues or remain unexplained.
For women, infertility may arise from ovulation disorders, blocked fallopian tubes, or uterine conditions. In men, common causes include low sperm production, poor sperm function, or blockages that prevent the effective delivery of sperm.
How to Know if Someone is Infertile?
In men, semen analysis is performed to assess sperm quantity, motility, and morphology, helping to identify potential causes of male infertility.
For women, monitoring the menstrual cycle and confirming ovulation is crucial. This can be achieved through methods such as tracking basal body temperature, noting changes in cervical mucus, or using ovulation predictor kits.
Additional evaluations for both partners may include hormone testing, imaging studies (such as ultrasound), laparoscopy, and genetic testing to identify underlying issues contributing to infertility.
Infertility Treatments
Determining the underlying cause of infertility is essential for selecting the most effective treatment. Options include:
- Fertility medications, often used as the initial step, can regulate or stimulate ovulation.
- Surgical procedures may be recommended to resolve physical issues, such as blocked fallopian tubes in women or ejaculatory duct obstructions in men.
- Advanced treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), may be considered when other methods are unsuccessful or not suitable.
By tailoring treatment to the specific cause of infertility, couples increase their chances of achieving a successful pregnancy.
What are Assisted Reproduction Technologies?
Advanced infertility treatments include in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). IVF involves fertilizing eggs with sperm outside the body in a laboratory environment. In ICSI, a single sperm is directly injected into the cytoplasm of an egg to encourage fertilization. ICSI is often performed as part of the IVF process, especially in cases involving male infertility.
* Liv Hospital Editorial Board has contributed to the publication of this content .
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .
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FAQ
How long should couples try to conceive before seeking help?
Generally, if you're under 35, seeking help after a year of trying to conceive is recommended. If you're over 35, it is advised to seek help after six months.
Is infertility only a woman's problem?
No, infertility affects both men and women. Both partners contribute to the possibility of infertility.
Does lifestyle impact fertility?
Yes, lifestyle choices such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol, and managing stress can positively influence fertility.
Do abortion and birth control pills cause infertility?
Generally a single and uncomplicated abortion does not cause any harm in terms of fertility. Yet, multiple abortions could potentially lead to scarring or damage to the uterus, which might affect fertility.
For pills, once a person stops taking them fertility generally returns to its normal state quickly. Yet, it may take a few menstrual cycles for ovulation to resume regularly.
Does IVF work on the first try?
While some couples do conceive during their first round of IVF, success rates can vary. It may take more than one cycle, so patience and persistence are often necessary during the IVF journey.