Couples at a certain point in time have the desire to conceive. Many studies have found that almost 85% of the couples successfully conceive within one year of trying. However, if they fail to conceive even after trying every method, there are chances that they might be suffering from infertility. Infertility is the inability to conceive within one year. Even if the couples fail to conceive within one year, then it is better to consult any reproductive endocrinologist. They must know the right time to take the help of any gynecologist to determine symptoms of infertility.
Infertility issues are common in both men and women. When it comes to women, irregular periods or even painful and heavy periods are one of the common symptoms. Normally, cycles are of 28 days, which may or may not exceed.
It is one of the common infertility symptoms in females since irregular cycles are a sign of PCOS, which is associated with infertility. When it comes to infertility in symptoms in men, include low sexual desire, swelling in testicles. Apart from that, issues with maintaining an erection as well as ejaculation problems can also lead to infertility.
Infertility primarily involves two different types of infertility issues. First, the primary fertility stage refers to those couples who could not conceive after one year. They never use any birth control methods. However, the secondary infertility couples are those who conceived in the past once.
But, the female cannot conceive anymore now. Even after planning everything carefully, the female could not conceive. Secondary infertility type precisely means that the woman is spontaneously facing miscarriage or stillbirths.
Men having abnormal sperm production, genetic defects, or even pre-existing health conditions can cause infertility. Diseases like diabetes, mumps, and STI like HIV or gonorrhea can cause abnormal sperm production rate. Premature ejaculation, genetic ailments like cystic fibrosis, and various psychological problems can even lead to infertility issues.
Few secondary infertility causes in males include overexposure to pesticides as well as other chemicals. Overconsumption of tobacco, alcohol, or other recreational drugs can lead to infertility. Physical injuries in reproductive organs can also lead to infertility issues in men.
Women having impaired ovulation due to excessive eating, injury, hormonal imbalance severely affects egg release. Hormonal imbalance such as PCOS, hypothyroidism, hyperprolactinemia can lead to infertility. Deformed cervix opening, fibroids, and uterine polyp are some of the serious causes of infertility.
Blocked Fallopian tube due to inflammation is yet another one of the major issues behind infertility causes in women. Unwanted growth of endometriosis cells surrounding the uterus can also cause infertility. Pelvic adhesions are quite dangerous for fertility. Band scar tissue binding organs or abdominal surgery can give rise to infertility issues.
Before your doctor asks you to take the infertility tests, they will ask you certain questions to get an idea of your sexual habits. They will also give you recommendations on how you can improve your fertility so that it becomes easy to conceive. In many cases, couples do not show any specific causes behind infertility, also known as unexplained infertility.
When it comes to the diagnosis of infertility, tests can be expensive. In many cases, the tests involve uncomfortable procedures. At times, the medical plans might even not cover the infertility diagnosis costs. Also, it is not guaranteed that you will get pregnant even after taking all the tests.
Changing lifestyle is one of the primary infertility treatments in males. Excluding particular medications, reducing the intake of harmful substances, increasing the timing of intercourse is quite useful. Next comes the medications since few medications are there that enhances the sperm count.
Medications are quite useful in increasing testicular functions like sperm production as well as quality. Surgery is also a good idea since it helps in reversing sperm blockage issues. Also, surgery helps in repairing varicocele that increases the chances for pregnancy.
The treatment options vary, while some women need one or two therapies for increasing fertility, others require multiple treatments to get pregnant. Primary infertility treatment in female includes ovulation medications that help in stimulating the ovulation procedure. These medicines either helps in regulating or inducing ovulation.
Most gynecologists discuss the fertility drug options with the patient and focus on how each medication will help in increasing fertility. IUI or Intrauterine Insemination is yet another useful treatment procedure where healthy sperms are placed inside the uterus during ovulation time. Surgeries are also useful as it helps in removing problems like endometrial polyps or any intrauterine scar tissue. Above everything, it is important to remember that infertility treatment cost varies.
M.B., DGO, IVF Specialist in Bhavnagar
Fellow in Sonography (FOGSI)
Dr. Nitin Patel is the IVF Specialist Doctor in Ganga IVF Hospital. He is a well-known Fertility and IVF Specialist and also among few doctors in the country who specializes in Embryology and Andrology.
B.D.S
Clinical Embryologist
Dr. Surbhi Patel is the Clinical Embryologist Doctor in Ganga IVF Hospital. She is a well-known Fertility and IVF Specialist and also among few doctors in the country who specializes in Embryology.