Infertility: Primary causes and how to deal with it

Infertility has various causes, and figuring out which applies to you may be very simple or intricate. Previously, only women were blamed for infertility, the reality is that male and female factors both share equally in infertility. Consider the following statistics:

• 1/3 of infertility problems are caused by female factors and same applies to males
• Approximately 20 percent of infertility is inexplicable
• Around 10-15 % of infertility is caused by a blend of male and female factors

Among women, prevalent causes of infertility are:

• Ovulatory disorders resulting in no ovulation or irregularovulation
• Tubal disorders resulting in blocked or infected tubes
• Uterine issues-fibroids, polyps or adhesions

Infertility in men is caused due to:

• Low sperm count
• Decreased sperm motility
• Abnormally shaped sperm
• No sperm at all in the ejaculate

Each of these categories of infertility can be caused by a number of things; for example, a decreased sperm count can be caused by a disease such as diabetes, by a birth defect, or by trauma. A woman can have blocked tubes from endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or from a congenital malformation. Anovulation can be caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome, premature ovarian failure, or by over-exercising. While it may be fairly obvious what the problem is, finding the reason for the problem may be more difficult.

How to diagnose infertility?

You may think this is a no-brainer: If you’re not getting pregnant, it seems like you’ve already diagnosed yourself with infertility! However, diagnosing a lack of pregnancy is the easy part; figuring out why you’re not getting pregnant is the hard part.

Your infertility specialist can run a few simple blood tests to help determine whether or not you’re ovulating. Ovulation is, after all, the first step in getting pregnant, and usually blood tests or observation of your own cervical mucus and temperature can help you figure out when you’re ovulating so you can time sex accordingly.

If you’re still not pregnant after six months of “hitting the mark,” it’s time for more testing; your infertility specialist may suggest a test to see if your tubes are open and testing on your partner to see if “his boys can swim.”

This process of looking for the problem and then seeing if it’s fixed can take a few months. Only 20 percent of infertile couples never have a definite answer to why they can’t get pregnant, so the odds are your favour.

Elemental education on female infertility

Every couple dreams of having their own children some day. It’s an incontrovertible fact that most of the couples want to have kids. They are such magnificent creations. Every woman wants to experience the essence of motherhood and when she gives birth to a toddler, she cuddles that motherhood.

However, it’s a bitter reality that not every couple is blessed to have their own children. Most of the times it will go down to the fertility issues with the woman. So first we need to understand what female infertility is.

Infertility specialists describe female infertility as an abortive conception after a number of attempts by a couple. In simpler terms, it is a normal inability of a woman to bear a child. When couples go through such hard times, it is wise to consult a gynaecologist and from then on he/she may refer to an infertility specialist. A female’s infertility issue might be detected through complete body examination. On the basis of the final examination, the doctor can decide the best available fertility remedy for the woman.

There are multiple factors attributed to infertility. Most of the infertility cases occur because of reproductive issues of the female. It may be because the girl has either some abnormalities within the uterus or hormonal imbalance. In some cases it is seen that STDs (Sexually transmitted diseases) also play a contributing factor for infertility. Studies show that women who have diabetes or thyroid problems are vulnerable to becoming infertile. Sometimes, family health background is responsible.   

  

It has been pointed out by infertility specialists time and again that smoking kills and can make a woman infertile. Researchers have found that smoking causes serious damage to the Fallopian tubes and can steadily increase the chances of gestational diabetes. Furthermore, age is also an important factor behind female infertility. Infertility specialists state that when a woman reaches 27, her effectiveness to bear a child begins to curb down.

Depending on the medical professional, he/she may offer different courses of treatment. Fertility medicines are prescribed to cause ovulation. Hormone balancing medicines are given to balance out hormones which may be causing infertility. In order to treat endometriosis, a surgery may be recommended.

However, there are many practitioners of alternative medicine who specialise in infertility, conception and pregnancy. Many women across the globe have reported to have benefited from methods that range from dietary changes to following an exercise regime. Balancing diet includes intake of vitamin B6 (found in garlic, tuna fish, and banana) which helps balance the oestrogen levels in women. Other factors include completely eradicating fast food.

Not able to conceive is one of the most difficult challenges couples face. It affects the psyche of both husband and wife equally. Remember, when considering a female infertility treatment, utilise all that science has to offer that can contribute to your well being.