Infertility is a difficult condition that affects almost 8 – 10% of couples worldwide, out of which, 15 to 20 million cases of infertility are from India alone. Infertility is the inability to conceive or achieve pregnancy, after a year of having unprotected sexual intercourse.
In most cases, infertility can be restored by determining and treating the underlying cause of it. Some of the main causes of infertility are PCOS, endometriosis, sexually transmitted infections that damage the reproductive organs and tubes, anatomic and chromosomal abnormalities, weight gain, stress, and depression. In these cases, fertility pills, surgery, and/or a healthy lifestyle is most likely to treat the problems causing infertility and will restore fertility. But in some cases, the main cause of infertility cannot be determined even after infertility workup (semen analysis and assessment of fallopian tubes and ovulation for men and women respectively). This type of infertility is called unexplained infertility.
In simpler words, unexplained infertility is when the cause of infertility remains unknown, even after a detailed examination and evaluation of both possible sterile men and sterile women. About 15 – 30% of couples are diagnosed with unexplained infertility post their diagnostic evaluation.
How to cope with infertility?
If you and your partner are diagnosed with unexplained infertility, the first step towards dealing with it is to go for fertility counseling. Fertility counseling sessions will help you accept the situation and will guide you through different options available to infertile couples. This includes assisted reproductive technology procedures such as fertility pill, IUI, IVF-ICSI, donor treatments, or adoption – whatever suits the couple best. Fertility counseling also ensures that sterile men or sterile women do not fall into depression which in many cases, can exacerbate infertility.
When to opt for infertility treatment options?
The following are some circumstances under which you must consider visiting an infertility center as follows.
- Advanced Age: Age of the couple, especially the woman is of utmost importance in conceiving and the chance of getting pregnant, even with fertility treatments decline with increasing age. Studies have shown that the quality and quantity of eggs in women start to decline after the age of 32 years, as compared to 35 in the western population. Even though less affected, the sperm parameters also age with age due to environmental or occupational factors or some other reasons like medications and surgery. If you are unable to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse, you should consult a fertility specialist who can guide you properly.
- If you are below 30 years of age and are unable to achieve pregnancy: Women are most fertile in their 20s. For whatever reason, if you are below 30 years of age and are unable to conceive, you may have to run a few tests to determine what is causing infertility. For sterile women, underlying causes like PCOS, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory diseases, or abnormally shaped uterus may be reasons that cause infertility. For sterile men, low sperm count, low sperm motility, or abnormally shaped sperm head or tails may be the reason for infertility. For these cases, it is important to diagnose and try to correct the possible correctable conditions in order to restore fertility.
However, sometimes leaving these conditions untreated for a prolonged amount of time can cause damage to the reproductive organs. These damages, such as adhesions and scar tissues, can lead to infertility. Furthermore, conditions like endometriosis also diminish egg preserves. Surgery can be suggested in some cases to remove abnormal tissue or your fertility specialist can also advise you to go for fertility treatment directly. Assisted reproductive technology procedures can help you achieve a pregnancy.
- If you had a past miscarriage or any uterine surgery/infection: In most cases, miscarriages don’t affect future pregnancies. However, multiple miscarriages may lead to scar tissue formation that does not allow the implantation of the embryo. This may affect fertility. Scar tissues are also formed due to abortions, uterine infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea, or surgical procedures like D&C (Dilation and Curettage). If you have experienced any of these conditions, you might need assisted reproductive technology to achieve pregnancy.
- A history of testicular trauma or history of infertility: Testicular trauma in the past may lead to problems with sperm production – number, motility, and morphology, which is one of the main reasons for male infertility. Furthermore, scar tissues in the testicle can also hamper sperm production, visit a clinic can help increase male fertility. In these cases, advanced fertility treatments shall be suggested to infertile couples.
- Unexplained infertility: If you and your partner are unable to achieve pregnancy and if there is no cause for infertility even after examinations and analysis, your doctor may suggest that you look into infertility treatment options. The most common infertility solution is in-vitro fertilization with ICSI, in which eggs are retrieved and each egg is injected with a single sperm in order to form good embryos over a period of five days.
If you have any of the above-mentioned medical conditions, your chances of getting pregnant shall become fairly low. It is important to go for fertility counseling and infertility centers to treat these conditions before opting for infertility treatments.
Infertility centers/Fertility clinics offer many tests that can help you find a cause for your infertility and even offer various assisted reproductive technology procedures which can help increase male fertility and female fertility, helping you achieve pregnancy. Banker IVF is one such renowned fertility website that addresses, provides solutions, treatments. Banker IVF has helped many couples achieve the joy of holding their own child.
If you and anyone you know suffers from infertility, book your appointment with us today and consult Dr. Banker.
Here is a blog on reproductive tract infection that might also hamper fertility.
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