Infertility has become a common problem nowadays. It refers to the inability to conceive without any form of external assistance. It could also refer to the inability to carry a baby in the womb for the duration of the pregnancy. Both men and women can be affected by the problem of infertility.
What is infertility?
The inability of a woman to conceive naturally even after trying for more than a year can be termed as infertility. This could be due to the male partner being infertile while the female partner is fertile. It could also be vice versa. Even if the woman becomes pregnant, but is unable to hold a baby for the full term and has multiple miscarriages, it could be termed as being infertile. Most of the infertility cases are due to some underlying problem with the reproductive organs. If you have been abusing painkiller or any such drug for a long time, it could also be a factor in causing infertility. Hyperlipidemia or high cholesterol could also lead to low fertility or increase the risk of becoming infertile.
In men, infertility could be characterized by low sperm count or low sperm mobility. This could affect the chances of the sperm fertilizing the ovum. In some cases, it could also be due to the abnormal shape of the sperms. In such cases, the sperms find it hard to move, due to which the fertilization of the egg does not happen. In some cases, some form of hormonal imbalance could also lead to infertility. Treating the hormonal imbalance will most likely treat infertility.
In women, infertility could be caused by ovulation problems. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome have trouble conceiving. In some cases, the eggs may not get released during every cycle. This could also cause infertility. Hormone-related issues like thyroid may also increase the difficulty in conceiving. Fibroids in the fallopian tubes could also be a cause of infertility. Endometriosis is the thickening of the walls in which the tissues grow outside of the uterus. This will lead to improper functioning of the uterus which can also make it difficult for the woman to get pregnant. Ovulation disorders could also be a major cause of infertility. This could be caused by some hormone related issue or even due to some injury.
The only major sign of infertility is the inability to get pregnant even after trying for about 6 months to a year. However, if you notice irregular periods you may need to get it checked for some underlying condition which may, in turn, cause infertility. Even sudden pain or cramps during the periods may be an indication of some serious underlying condition. Treating the underlying condition can help cure infertility in most cases. If you are a cancer survivor or have undergone some radiation therapy or chemotherapy, chances are that the radiation may have caused your infertility. You can discuss with your doctor about possible options to have a kid.
The initial level of diagnosis could include some basic tests like semen analysis and tubal analysis to find out the source of the problem. If there is some underlying problem detected, the doctor could order more specific tests to determine the exact nature of the issue.
There are a number of treatment options to treat infertility. If some underlying causes are the reason of infertility, the doctor will aim to treat the condition and wait to see if you are able to get pregnant. If that fails, other options like in-vitro fertilization or surrogacy will help the couple. Your doctor will be able to identify the best option for you.
