What is Infertility Treatment?
Types, Benefits, Risks and More
Some fertility problems are more easily treated but infertility treatment depends on various things-
- What causing the Infertility
- You and your partners age
- How long you have been infertile
- Personal preference
Infertility Causes
It is a myth that infertility is always a “woman’s problem.” About one-third of infertility cases are due to problems with the man and one-third are due to problems with the woman. Other cases are due to a combination of male and female factors or to unknown causes. It is recommended that you seek medical advice if you are a woman aged below 35 years and fail to conceive after 12 months of contraceptive-free intercourse, or if you are aged 35 years and above, and fail to conceive after 6 months, to best improve your chances of conceiving.
Infertility in Men
Infertility in men is often caused by problems with making sperm or getting the sperm to reach the egg. Problems with sperm may exist from birth or develop later in life due to illness or injury. Some men produce no sperm, or produce too few sperm. Lifestyle can influence the number and quality of a man’s sperm. Alcohol and drugs can temporarily reduce sperm quality. Environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead, may cause some cases of infertility in men. There are, however, effective male infertility treatments available.
Infertility in women
Problems with ovulation account for most women’s fertility problems. Without ovulation, eggs are not available to be fertilized. Signs of problems with ovulation include irregular menstrual periods or no periods. Simple lifestyle factors – including stress, diet, or athletic training – can affect a woman’s hormonal balance. Much less often, a hormonal imbalance from a serious medical problem such as a pituitary gland tumour can cause ovulation problems. Aging is a significant factor in female infertility. The capability of a woman’s ovaries to produce eggs declines with age, especially after age 35. About one-third of couples where the woman is over 35 will have problems with fertility. By the time she reaches menopause, when her monthly periods stop for good, a woman can no longer produce eggs or become pregnant.
How is infertility tested?
If you have been trying to have a baby without success, you may want to seek medical help. If you are over 35, or if you have cause to believe that there may be a fertility problem, you should not wait for one year of trying before seeing a doctor. A medical evaluation may decide the cause for a couple’s infertility. Generally this process begins with physical exams and medical and sexual histories of both partners. If there is no obvious problem, like improperly timed intercourse or absence of ovulation, tests may be needed.
