Infertility: Everything You Should Know

Infertility is a medical term that describes the inability to conceive

If you've been trying for a year and haven't been successful, you've been diagnosed with infertility. If you're over 35, it indicates you've tried for 6 months and still haven't been able to conceive.

Infertility can also be diagnosed in women who can conceive but are unable to carry a pregnancy to term.

Primary infertility is a condition in which a woman has never been able to become pregnant. Secondary infertility is a condition in which a woman has had at least one successful pregnancy in the past.

Infertility is a disease that affects men and women alike. Infertility affects both men and women. Fertility issues affect both men and women equally.

Female infertility accounts for around one-third of infertility cases, according to the Office on Women's HealthTrusted Source, while male infertility accounts for the remaining third.

The other one-third of instances might be due to a mix of male and female infertility, or they could be due to an unknown reason.

 

Infertility in men has a variety of causes

In general, concerns with the following are linked to male infertility:

• successful sperm production
• sperm count, or the number of sperm movement of the sperm

 

Fertility can also be influenced by a number of risk factors, medical diseases, and drugs.

 

Factors of danger

The following are some of the risk factors for male infertility:

• cigarettes for the elderly
• exposure to pollutants such as pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metals frequent usage of alcohol being overweight or obese

 

Various health issues

Male infertility can be caused by a variety of medical issues.

• antibodies that target and kill your sperm a hormonal imbalance
• low testosterone production retrograde ejaculation varicocele
• enlargement of the veins around the testicles testicles that haven't descended into the scrotum

 

Drugs and medication

Male fertility can be affected by a variety of treatments and substances, including:

• chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer
• sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-Tabs) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or ulcerative colitis (UC)
• calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure
• tricyclic antidepressants
• anabolic steroids for improved athletic performance or hormonal issues like delayed puberty
• recreational drugs like marijuana and cocaine

 

Infertility in men can be caused by any of these factors, or by a combination of factors. Learn about male infertility symptoms.

 

Infertility in women has several causes

Infertility in women can be caused by a number of factors that impact or interfere with the basic processes described below:

ovulation, when the mature egg is released from the ovary; fertilization, when sperm meets the egg in the fallopian tube after passing through the cervix; and uterine implantation, when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus lining where it can grow and develop into a baby.

 

Factors of danger

Infertility in women can be caused by a number of circumstances.

• as you become older, you'll want to stop smoking
• possessing certain sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) that can harm the reproductive system
• being overweight, obese, or considerably underweight

 

Various health issues

Women's reproductive systems can be harmed by a range of medical problems, leading to infertility.

Among the many examples:

• ovulation abnormalities, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or hormonal imbalances, pelvic inflammatory illness (PID)
• uterine fibroids endometriosis
• ovarian failure that occurs too soon
• scars left behind from a prior operation

 

Drugs and medication

Female infertility can be influenced by a variety of treatments and therapies, including the following:

• radiation or chemotherapy
• long-term usage of high-dose nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) like aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• prescription antipsychotics
• marijuana and cocaine are both recreational substances

 

According to the Mayo Clinic, ovulation disorders account for around a quarter of all infertility cases. A woman may not be ovulating if her menstruation is irregular or she doesn't get one.

 

Testing for infertility

You're probably wondering when you should see a doctor if you've been trying to conceive but haven't been successful.

Continue reading to learn about the tests they'll use to evaluate your and your partner's fertility.

 

Men

After a year of attempting to conceive, men should visit a doctor if any of the following symptoms occur:

• erectile dysfunction (ED)
• issues with ejaculation, such as delayed or retrograde ejaculation
• poor sex desire
• soreness or swelling in the genital region after a prior genital surgery

 

Your medical history will be taken initially by your doctor. They'll inquire about your general health, sexual history, and variables that may influence your fertility at this time. They'll also do a physical assessment on your genitals, looking for any tumors or structural anomalies.

The next step is likely to be a semen analysis. A sample of sperm will be requested by your doctor. This sample will then be examined in a laboratory to determine the number of sperm present, as well as whether the sperm are appropriately shaped and moving.

Additional tests may be recommended by your doctor based on the results of your first checkup and semen analysis.

 

Women

Following the age of 30, a woman's fertility starts to wane. Women under the age of 35 should see a doctor after a year of trying to conceive, while women over the age of 35 should see a doctor after 6 months of trying.

Your medical history will be taken initially by your doctor. They'll inquire about your present health, sexual history, and any illnesses or situations that might cause infertility.

After that, they'll evaluate your pelvic area for anomalies like fibroids or disorders like endometriosis or PID.

Your doctor will want to know if you ovulate on a monthly basis. This can be detected with a home ovulation test kit or blood testing at a doctor's office.

The ovaries and uterus can also be examined using ultrasonography.

Women may also undergo the following tests:

• ovarian reserve testing, which uses a combination of hormone tests to determine a woman's potential for conceiving
• relevant tests include the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test
• hysterosalpingography, which is a type of X-ray used to evaluate the fallopian tubes and uterus
• laparoscopy, which uses a camera to examine the internal organs

 

Treatments for IVF failure

If you and your spouse have tried and failed to conceive, you may want to seek medical help. A multitude of factors influence the sort of treatment that is advised, including:

the reason of infertility, if known, the length of time you've been trying to conceive, your ages, your overall health, and your and your partner's personal preferences, after consultation about your treatment choices

 

Men

Depending on the reason of male infertility, there are several treatments available. Surgical, pharmaceutical, and assisted reproductive technology are some of the treatment options for males (ART).

Obstacles to sperm in the ejaculate can be removed by surgery. Varicocele, for example, can be corrected with it. Sperm can be extracted straight from the testicles and utilized in ART therapies in some situations.

Hormonal abnormalities, for example, can be treated with medications. They can also be used to treat other issues that might influence male fertility, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) or infections that reduce sperm count.

Treatments involving the handling of eggs and sperm outside of the body are known as ART. In vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection are examples of therapies that can be used. Ejaculate, testicular extraction, or a donor can all be used to get sperm for ART therapy.

 

Women

Surgery, medication, and reproductive aid such as ART are all options for treating female infertility. In order to address female infertility, numerous forms of therapy may be required.

Although surgery can be used to treat female infertility on occasion, it is becoming less common as alternative reproductive therapies grow more advanced. The following are some of the ways that surgery might help you conceive:

• unblocking fallopian tubes
• removing fibroids
• repairing an improperly formed uterus

 

Methods like intrauterine insemination (IUI) and assisted reproductive technology (ART) can be used to help with reproduction. During IUI, a woman's uterus is injected with millions of sperm around ovulation.

IVF is a method of ART that includes removing eggs and fertilizing them in a laboratory with a man's sperm. The embryo is returned to the uterus following fertilization.

The drugs used to treat female infertility function in the same way as hormones do in the body to either induce or control ovulation.

 

Fertility medications come in a variety of forms. Here you may learn about the many kinds of fertility medicines.

 

Natural remedies for infertility

Acupuncture and yoga are two natural therapies that can be used.

According to a 2018 study, at least 29% of couples explored natural or alternative infertility therapies, either alone or in combination with orthodox therapy.

 

Acupuncture

Small, thin needles are inserted into numerous places on the body during acupuncture. These spots are said to aid in the stimulation of energy flow in the body.

Acupuncture as a therapy for infertility has no conclusive proof to back it up.

A recent study concluded

Multiple scientific investigations found minimal evidence that acupuncture might help women with PCOS improve both ovulation and menstruation, according to Trusted Source. Learn more about acupuncture and infertility in this article.

 

Yoga

Yoga uses a combination of postures and breathing methods to help you relax and de-stress.

Yoga as an infertility therapy has only been studied in a small number of cases. Yoga, on the other hand, is thought to help with the stress that comes with reproductive treatments.

 

Vitamins

Several vitamins and minerals can help you get pregnant.

Here are a few to keep an eye out for:

• folate
• zinc
• iron
• vitamin C

Other supplements, such as probiotics, can help you maintain a healthy digestive system and boost your overall health. Other nutrients that may aid in conception are explored.

 

Tea

Commercially accessible fertility teas abound, but do they actually work?

There have been very few studies on the reproductive effects of various tea blends. However, antioxidant molecules contained in green tea have been proven to improve sperm count and motility, according to a recent study.

 

A diet for fertility

Fertility-boosting foods are recommended for women who are experiencing infertility due to ovulation issues. As a result, they won't help you conceive if you have infertility due to physical issues like a blocked fallopian tube or uterine fibroids.

The following are some dietary suggestions to help you become more fertile:

• avoid trans fats, which are found in many fried and processed food products, by focusing on fiber-rich meals (such as vegetables and whole grains) and avoiding refined carbohydrates that are high in sugar
• substituting vegetarian protein sources for animal protein
• instead of low-fat dairy, choose high-fat dairy (such whole milk)
• men can boost the health of their sperm by following these suggestions and consuming a nutrient-dense diet in general

Dietary adjustments, as well as lifestyle changes such as increased physical activity, can all aid in the promotion of fertility. Learn more about how adjusting your diet and exercising habits might help you become more fertile.

 

The cycle of pregnancy

Around the time of their ovulation, women are most fertile. You may boost your chances of becoming pregnant by tracking your ovulation and then focusing your sexual activity around that period.

One day of the month, ovulation occurs. Your ovaries produce a mature egg at this moment, which starts to journey through your fallopian tubes. Fertilization can happen if the egg comes into contact with sperm while traveling.

Within 24 hours of ovulation, if an egg is not fertilized, it will die. Sperm can survive for up to five days within a woman's body, boosting the odds of conception. As a result, you're fertile for around five to six days every month.

Because ovulation does not happen at the same time every month, knowing the indicators of ovulation is essential. Abdominal cramps and a little rise in body temperature are examples of these alterations. Find out how to know when you're most fertile by using different methods.

 

Infertility's prognosis

Infertility does not rule out the possibility of having a child. Although it may take some time, many infertile couples will be able to have a child in the future. Some people will be able to accomplish it on their own, while others may require medical help.

Many factors, including your ages, the reason of infertility, and your personal preferences, will influence the therapy that is suitable for you and your spouse. Similarly, several factors might influence whether or not a certain infertility therapy leads to conception.

A reproductive issue may or may not be treatable in various instances. Your doctor may advise you and your spouse to explore donor sperm or eggs, surrogacy, or adoption, depending on your specific circumstances.