| | Infertility
| | Infertility is a common problem affecting 10-12% of couples. It is usually defined as the inability to conceive after a 6-12 month period of unprotected intercourse. The cause is investigated after a 6 month period if the woman is in her mid thirties. Conditions i.e., irregular cycles, history of a pelvic infection, history of chemotherapy or radiation, endometriosis, should also be investigated sooner. Infertility affects men and women equally. In approximately 15% of cases no cause is found. | | | Factors that impact fertility include:
• advanced age • abnormal hormone levels • poor nutrition
• scarring or blockages in the crevix or fallopian tubes • obesity Testing/Evaluation:
• physical examination • semen analysis • ovulation check • tests to check for ovarian reserve • test to check for a normal uterus and open fallopian tubes
• medical history including duration of infertility, results of previous evaluations and therapy, menstrual history, sexual history
| Treatment includes lifestyle changes i.e., achieving ideal body weight, smoking cessation and limiting caffeine and alcohol intake. Timed intercourse is recommended with the aid of an ovulation predictor kit. medications may be offered. For treatment failures, a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist will be made to explore possible artificial reproductive technologies.
| | ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ | | | Did you know that infertility is a common problem?
About 12 percent of women (7.3 million) in the United States aged 15-44 had difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a baby to term in 2002, according to the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Is infertility just a woman's problem?
No, infertility is not always a woman's problem. In only about one-third of cases is infertility due to the woman based on female factors. In another one third of cases, infertility is due to the man based on certain male factors. All other cases are caused by both sexes having issues or other factors that are not known.
How long should women try to get pregnant before calling their doctors?
Most healthy women under the age of 30 shouldn't worry about infertility unless they've been trying to get pregnant for at least a year. If it has been a year, please schedule an appointment with one of our doctors so we can perform a fertility evaluation. Men should also talk to their doctors if this much time has passed.
If you feel uncomfortable waiting a year to see a doctor after no luck in conceiving, it may be a good idea to talk to one of our physicians sooner.
If you are in your early thirties and have been trying to get pregnant for six months, it is best to schedule an appointment with one of our qualified doctors as soon as possible. A woman's chances of having a baby decrease rapidly every year after the age of thirty. To better your chance of getting pregnant, a complete and timely fertility evaluation is especially important.
Some health issues also increase the risk of fertility problems. So women with the following issues should speak to one of our qualified doctors as soon as possible:
- irregular periods or no menstrual periods
- very painful periods
- endometriosis
- pelvic inflammatory disease
- more than one miscarriage
No matter how old you are, it's always a good idea to talk to one of our doctors before you start trying to get pregnant. Our doctors can help you prepare your body for a healthy baby. They can also answer questions on fertility and give tips on conceiving.
Check out our seminars/ events to see when we are offering the next free seminar on “Best Practices To Conceive.”
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