Infertility is one of the most common concerns among couples. Almost 10–15 percent of couples across the world experience infertility. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 186 million people around the world have infertility.
Moreover, a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that nearly 12 percent of women aged 15–44 have difficulty getting pregnant.
Read this article to learn about infertility, the causes behind it, and when you should seek help.
Understanding Infertility
In simple words, infertility is the inability to conceive after almost one year of unprotected intercourse. However, for women above the age of 35, this period shrinks to just six months. The reason behind this could be infertility issues in both or either of the partners, or a combination of factors.
Common Causes Behind Infertility
There are both female and male factors that could affect either of the partners, or a combination of these factors may have contributed to infertility.
Listed below are some factors behind infertility in females.
- Ovulation disorders, such as PCOS or disruption of thyroid functioning, can disrupt the regular ovulation cycle.
- Blockage or scarring in the fallopian tube, which prevents the egg from reaching the uterus.
- Endometriosis, which occurs when the endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, leads to inflammation and scarring.
- Damage or any sort of abnormality in the uterus or cervix results in a higher chance of miscarriage.
Here are some common factors behind infertility in males:.
- Low sperm count or insufficient sperm production
- Poor motility of sperm hampers their ability to reach and fertilize the egg.
- Abnormal shape of sperm, which obstructs the ability of sperm to penetrate the egg
- Ejaculation concerns, such as retrograde ejaculation
Tips to Overcome Infertility
Here are some effective tips to reduce the chances of infertility:.
- Lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet, sufficient hydration, and regular exercise, can significantly improve the fitness of individuals. This is because the consequences of bad lifestyle habits can result in hormonal imbalances and low sperm production in females and males, respectively.
- Smoking and drinking are significant causes of ineffability. Therefore, it is recommended to quit habits like smoking or drinking to improve fertility.
- High levels of stress or disease are another common reason behind low fertility in both males and females. Therefore, it is important to focus on stress management approaches such as mediation and yoga.
Treatment
There are several procedures to deal with infertility in males and females. Medication, surgeries, and certain fertilization procedures are widely used by healthcare providers to address infertility.
For women, the doctor may recommend medications, such as clomiphene citrate and metformin, to treat ovulation disorders. The healthcare provider may suggest some hormone treatments to regulate the hormonal imbalances in males.
In cases where the infertility is due to blockages in the fallopian tube or enlarged veins in the scrotum, surgical procedures such as laparoscopic surgery or varicocele repair are conducted by the doctor to treat males and females, respectively.
If medications and surgical procedures do not work, the couple can consider using several artificial fertilization procedures, such as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). This assisted reproductive technology involves artificially fertilizing the eggs by injecting the sperm into the uterus or egg directly.
Takeaway
Infertility is an overwhelming concern for couples worldwide, affecting nearly 48 million couples. However, by understanding the cause behind it and the proper treatment procedures, it is easy to manage such complications. Most importantly, getting support from your friends, family, and counselors can help you find a new direction and figure out the best approach to dealing with infertility.
