What is Infertility Treatment | Symptoms & Causes

 What is Infertility Treatment | Symptoms & Causes

If you and your partner are struggling to have a baby, you are not alone. In the United States, 10% to 15% of couples are infertile. Infertility is defined for most couples as not getting pregnant despite having continuous, unprotected sex for at least one year.

Infertility can result from a problem with you or your partner, or a combination of factors that prevent pregnancy. Fortunately, there are many safe and effective treatments that greatly improve your chances of getting pregnant.

Symptoms

There may be no other obvious symptoms. Sometimes, menses may be irregular or absent in women with infertility. In some cases, men with infertility may have some symptoms of hormonal problems, such as changes in hair growth or sexual function.

Most couples will eventually conceive with or without treatment.

When to see a doctor

You probably don't need to see your health care provider about infertility unless you have been trying regularly to get pregnant for at least a year. Women should speak to a care provider first, however, if they:

• are 35 years of age or older and have been trying to conceive for six months or more

• are over 40 years old

• have irregular or absent periods

• Have very painful periods

• Know fertility issues

• Has been diagnosed with endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease

• Have had multiple miscarriages

• Have been treated for cancer

Men should talk to a health care provider if they have:

• Was treated for cancer

• Swollen small testicles or scrotum

• Other people in your family who have problems with infertility.

Causes

In order to get pregnant, all the stages of ovulation and fertilization must happen correctly. Sometimes the problems that cause infertility in couples are present at birth, and sometimes they develop later in life.

Infertility can affect one or both partners. Sometimes, no cause can be found.

Causes of Male Infertility

These may include:

• Abnormal sperm production or function due to abnormal testicles, genetic defects, health problems such as diabetes, or infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, mumps or HIV. Enlarged veins in the testis (varicocele) can also affect sperm quality.

• Problems in the delivery of sperms due to sexual problems like premature ejaculation; certain genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis; structural problems, such as a blockage in the testicles; or damage or injury to the reproductive organs.

• Excessive exposure to certain environmental factors, such as pesticides and other chemicals, and radiation. Cigarette smoking, alcohol, marijuana, anabolic steroids, and taking medications to treat bacterial infections, high blood pressure, and depression can also affect fertility. Repeated exposure to heat, such as in a sauna or hot tub, can raise body temperature and affect sperm production.

• Damage related to cancer and its treatment, including radiation or chemotherapy. Treatment for cancer can impair sperm production, sometimes severely.

Causes of Female Infertility

Causes of female infertility may include:

• Ovulation disorders, which affect the release of eggs from the ovaries. These include hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Hyperprolactinemia, a condition in which you have too much prolactin -- the hormone that stimulates breast milk production -- can also interfere with ovulation. Either too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism) can affect the menstrual cycle or cause infertility. Other underlying causes may include exercising too much, eating disorders or tumors.

• Abnormalities of the uterus or cervix, including abnormalities of the cervix, polyps in the uterus, or the shape of the uterus. Non-cancerous (benign) tumors in the wall of the uterus (uterine fibroids) can cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes or preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.

• Damage or blockage of the fallopian tubes, most often due to inflammation of the fallopian tubes (salpingitis). It can occur as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease, which is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection, endometriosis, or adhesions.

• Endometriosis, which occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, can affect the function of the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes.

• Primary ovarian insufficiency (early menopause), when the ovaries stop working and menstruation stops before the age of 40. Although its cause is often unknown, some factors are associated with early menopause, including diseases of the immune system, certain genetic conditions such as Turner syndrome, or carriers. Fragile X syndrome, and radiation or chemotherapy treatment.

• Pelvic adhesions, bands of scar tissue that form after pelvic infection, appendicitis, endometriosis, or abdominal or pelvic surgery.

• Cancer and its treatment. Certain cancers – particularly reproductive cancers – often impair female fertility. Both radiation and chemotherapy can affect fertility.

Couples

Have regular intercourse several times around the time of ovulation for the highest pregnancy rate. Having sex for at least five days before and one day after ovulation increases your chances of getting pregnant. Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of the cycle -- the middle half of menstruation -- about 28 days apart for most women with menstrual cycles.

Men

Although most types of infertility in men are not preventable, these strategies can help:

• Avoid drug and tobacco use and drinking too much alcohol, which can contribute to male infertility.

• Avoid the high temperatures found in hot tubs and hot baths, as they can temporarily affect sperm production and motility.

• Avoid exposure to industrial or environmental toxins, which can affect sperm production.

• Limit drugs that can affect fertility, both prescription and non-prescription drugs. Talk to your doctor about any medicines you take regularly, but do not stop taking prescription medicines without your doctor's advice.

• Get moderate exercise. Regular exercise can improve sperm quality and increase the chances of conception.

Women

For women, several strategies can increase your chances of getting pregnant:

• Quit smoking. Tobacco has many negative effects on fertility, not to mention your general health and the health of the fetus.

• Avoid alcohol and street drugs. These substances can reduce your ability to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy. If you are trying to get pregnant, do not drink alcohol or use recreational drugs such as marijuana.

• Limit caffeine. Women trying to get pregnant can limit their caffeine intake. Ask your doctor for guidance on the safe use of caffeine.

• Get moderate exercise. Regular exercise is important, but exercising so intensely that your periods are infrequent or absent can affect fertility.

• Avoid excessive weight. Being overweight or underweight can affect your hormone production and lead to infertility.

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