Infertility
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Infertility
If you’ve been trying for a year and haven’t been able to conceive, you’ve been diagnosed with infertility. If you’re a woman over 35, it indicates you’ve tried for 6 months and haven’t been able to conceive.
Infertility can also be identified in women who are able to conceive but are unable to carry a pregnancy to term.
Primary infertility is a diagnosis given to a woman who has never been able to conceive. Secondary infertility is diagnosed when a woman has had at least one successful pregnancy in the past.
Infertility is a condition that affects both men and women. Men can also be sterile. In truth, both men and women are equally susceptible to infertility issues.
According to the Office on Women’s HealthTrusted Source, female infertility accounts for around one-third of infertility cases, while men’s issues account for the remaining third.
Male Infertility:
In general, concerns with the following are linked to infertility in men:
- Sperm production that is effective
- Fertility can also be affected by a number of risk factors, medical diseases, and drugs.
- Sperm count, or the number of sperm movement of the sperm, which comprises both the wiggling motion of the sperm and the transport of the sperm through the tubes of the male reproductive system.
Risk Factors:
Men are at risk for infertility for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to:
- Older people who smoke cigarettes
- Heavy drinking
- Being overweight or obese, and
- Being exposed to contaminants including pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metal
Medical Conditions:
Male infertility can be caused by a variety of medical issues, including:
- The enlargement of the veins around the testicles is known as varicocele.
- Testicles that haven't made it all the way down to the scrotum
- Possessing antibodies that assault and damage your sperm
- Low testosterone production, for example, can cause a hormonal imbalance.
Drugs and medications:
Male fertility can also be affected by a variety of treatments and substances, including:
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are cancer treatments.
- Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-Tabs), a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis (UC)
- Calcium channel blockers are a type of blood pressure medication.
- Anabolic steroids are drugs that are used to boost athletic performance or to treat hormonal problems like delayed puberty.
- Marijuana and cocaine are examples of recreational drugs.
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a type of antidepressant
Last but not least
Infertility in men can be caused by any of these factors, or possibly a combination of them. Discover the symptoms of male infertility.
Female Infertility:
Infertility in women can be caused by a number of factors that influence or interfere with the biological processes listed below:
- When the mature egg is expelled from the ovary, this is called ovulation.
- After going via the cervix and uterus, sperm reaches the egg in the fallopian tube, fertilisation occurs.
- Implantation is the process by which a fertilised egg attaches to the uterine lining, where it can grow and develop into a baby.
Antenatal care is available to any woman who is planning to get pregnant or has just been pregnant.
Risk Factors:
The following are some of the risk factors for female infertility:
- Getting Older
- Cigarette Smoking
- Excessive use of alcoholic beverages
- Being overweight, obese, or underweight in a big way
- Becoming infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) that can harm one's reproductive system
Medical Problems:
Infertility in women can be caused by a range of medical problems that impact the female reproductive system.
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or hormonal imbalances can induce ovulation difficulties.
- Inflammation of the pelvis (PID)
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids in the uterus
- Ovarian failure at a young age
- Scars left behind from a previous operation
Drugs and medications:
The following are some of the medications and drugs that can cause female infertility:
- Radiation treatment or chemotherapy
- Long-term usage of high-dose nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) like aspirin and ibuprofen (Bayer) (Advil, Motrin)
- Drugs that are antipsychotic
- Marijuana and cocaine are examples of recreational drugs.
Last but not least
According to the Mayo Clinic, ovulation disorders account for around a quarter of all infertility cases. A woman’s period may be irregular or nonexistent, indicating that she is not ovulating.
Infertility Testing:
If you’ve been trying to conceive but haven’t been successful, you’re probably wondering when you should schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Continue reading to learn about the tests they’ll do to determine your and your partner’s fertility.
Male:
Men should consult Dr.Sandhya after a year of attempting to conceive or if they have any of the following symptoms:
- Erection difficulties (ED)
- Ejaculation issues such as delayed or retrograde ejaculation are common.
- Desire for low sex
- Swelling or pain in the genital area
- Having already undergone genital surgery
Your doctor will begin by gathering information about your medical history. They’ll ask about your overall health, sexual history, and variables that could affect your fertility during this time. They’ll also do a physical examination to look for any structural abnormalities or tumours in your genitals.
The next step will very certainly be a semen analysis. Your doctor will want a sample of your sperm. This sample will then be examined in a laboratory to determine the number of sperm present as well as whether the sperm are properly shaped and migrating.
Your doctor may order additional tests based on the results of your initial checkup and semen analysis.
These tests may involve the following:
Hormone testing, genital ultrasound and genetic testing are all options.
Female:
After the age of 30, a woman’s fertility begins to decline. Women under the age of 35 should see a doctor after a year of trying to conceive, while women over the age of 35 should see a doctor after six months of trying.
Your doctor will begin by gathering information about your medical history. They’ll inquire about your present health, sexual history, and any medical issues or illnesses that may lead to infertility.
They’ll then undertake a pelvic examination to look for anomalies like fibroids or disorders like endometriosis or PID.
Your doctor will check to see if you ovulate on a monthly basis. An at-home ovulation testing kit or blood tests at the doctor’s office can be used to determine this.
The ovaries and uterus can also be examined with an ultrasound.
- Other common women's tests include
- Hysterosalpingography is an X-ray procedure that evaluates the fallopian tubes and uterus.
- The use of a camera to inspect the interior organs is known as laparoscopy.
- Ovarian reserve testing, which involves a series of hormone tests to estimate a woman's fertility potential — the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test is one of the most important tests.
Treatments:
If you and your spouse have been trying to conceive but have been unsuccessful, you may want to seek medical help. A multitude of factors can influence the sort of treatment advised, including:
- If known, the reason of infertility
- How long have you been trying to become pregnant?
- Your ages, as well as your and your partner's overall health
- After consultation about your treatment options, your and your partner's particular preferences
Male:
Depending on the cause, male infertility can be treated in a variety of methods. Surgery, medicine, and assisted reproductive technology are some of the treatment options available to males (ART).
Obstacles that hinder sperm from reaching the ejaculate can be removed with surgery. It can also be used to treat disorders like varicocele. Sperm can be extracted straight from the testicles in some situations, and then used in ART procedures.
Hormonal abnormalities, for example, can be treated with medications. They can also be used to treat other issues that influence male fertility, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) or infections that reduce sperm count.
Female:
Surgery, medication, and reproductive help such as assisted reproductive technology (ART) can all be used to treat female infertility. In some cases, a combination of treatments is required to address female infertility.
Although surgery can be used to treat female infertility on occasion, it is becoming less common as alternative reproductive treatments improve. Fertility can be improved through surgery in the following ways:
- Reshaping a uterus that is unusually formed
- Fallopian tube unblocking
- Fibroids removal
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and assisted reproductive technology (ART) are two examples of reproductive assistance. IUI involves injecting millions of sperm into a woman’s uterus near the time of ovulation.
IVF is a method of ART that involves the removal of eggs, which are subsequently fertilised in a laboratory with a man’s sperm. The embryo is returned to the uterus after fertilisation.
The drugs used to treat female infertility function in the same way that hormones that are naturally present in the body do, encouraging or regulating ovulation.
Last but not least
There are numerous fertility medicines on the market. Here you may learn about the various forms of fertility medicines.
IVF is a method of ART that involves the removal of eggs, which are subsequently fertilised in a laboratory with a man’s sperm. The embryo is returned to the uterus after fertilisation.
The drugs used to treat female infertility function in the same way that hormones that are naturally present in the body do, encouraging or regulating ovulation.
Last but not least
There are numerous fertility medicines on the market. Here you may learn about the various forms of fertility medicines.
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is a technique that involves inserting small, thin needles into specific places on the body. These spots are thought to aid in the stimulation of the body’s energy flow.
Acupuncture as a treatment for infertility has no conclusive proof to back it up.
A recent assessment of many clinical trials found modest evidence that acupuncture could help women with PCOS improve both ovulation and menstruation. More information about acupuncture and infertility can be found here.
Acupuncture as a treatment for infertility has no conclusive proof to back it up.
A recent assessment of many clinical trials found modest evidence that acupuncture could help women with PCOS improve both ovulation and menstruation. More information about acupuncture and infertility can be found here.
Yoga:
Yoga:
Yoga uses a combination of postures and breathing methods to promote relaxation and stress reduction.
There have been few studies on yoga as an infertility treatment. Yoga, on the other hand, is thought to be effective in reducing the stress that might be connected with reproductive treatments.
There have been few studies on yoga as an infertility treatment. Yoga, on the other hand, is thought to be effective in reducing the stress that might be connected with reproductive treatments.
Vitamins:
Vitamins and minerals a variety of vitamins and minerals can help to promote fertility.
Some things to keep an eye out for are:
Some things to keep an eye out for are:
- Folate
- Zinc
- C Vitamin
- Iron
- Vitamin E
Other supplements, such as probiotics, can help you maintain a healthy digestive system and enhance your overall health. Find out what other nutrients can help you conceive.
Tea:
Fertility teas are available for purchase in a variety of forms, but do they work?
There have been very few studies on the effects of various tea blends on fertility. However, according to a new study, antioxidant chemicals contained in green tea may aid fertility by boosting sperm count and motility.
There have been very few studies on the effects of various tea blends on fertility. However, according to a new study, antioxidant chemicals contained in green tea may aid fertility by boosting sperm count and motility.
Essential Oil:
Plants produce essential oils, which are extracted from their roots, seeds, or leaves. They can be used in aromatherapy to help people relax and reduce tension. Aromatherapy might include rubbing with essential oils, soaking with them, or burning them.
To determine the impact of essential oils on fertility, more research is needed.
To determine the impact of essential oils on fertility, more research is needed.
Fertility Diet:
Fertility-boosting meal advices for women are targeted at alleviating infertility caused by ovulation issues. As a result, they won’t help with infertility caused by physical issues like blocked fallopian tubes or uterine fibroids.
The following are some dietary suggestions for improving fertility:
The following are some dietary suggestions for improving fertility:
- Choose carbs wisely by focusing on fiber-rich foods (such as vegetables and whole grains) and avoiding sugar-rich refined carbs.
- Avoiding trans fats, which can be found in a variety of fried and processed foods
- Substituting vegetarian protein sources for some of your animal protein
- Instead of low-fat dairy products, choose high-fat dairy (such whole milk).
Following these guidelines, as well as consuming a nutrient-dense diet in general, can help men increase their sperm health.
Dietary adjustments, as well as lifestyle changes such as increased physical activity, can aid in the promotion of fertility. Learn more about how to improve your fertility by altering your diet and exercise routine.
Dietary adjustments, as well as lifestyle changes such as increased physical activity, can aid in the promotion of fertility. Learn more about how to improve your fertility by altering your diet and exercise routine.
Fertility Cycle:
Around the time they ovulate, women are at their most fertile. Keeping track of your ovulation and then focusing your sexual activity around that period can help you conceive.
Ovulation occurs once a month on a specific day. Your ovaries produce a mature egg at this moment, and it begins to travel through your fallopian tubes. Fertilization can occur if the egg comes into contact with sperm during its trip.
If an egg is not fertilised within 24 hours following ovulation, it will die. Sperm, on the other hand, can survive for up to five days inside a woman’s body, increasing the odds of conception. As a result, you’re fertile for approximately five to six days each month.
Because ovulation does not happen at the same time every month, knowing the indicators of ovulation is crucial. Bodily changes such as stomach cramps and a little rise in body temperature are examples. Find out how to know when you’re most fertile in different ways.
Ovulation occurs once a month on a specific day. Your ovaries produce a mature egg at this moment, and it begins to travel through your fallopian tubes. Fertilization can occur if the egg comes into contact with sperm during its trip.
If an egg is not fertilised within 24 hours following ovulation, it will die. Sperm, on the other hand, can survive for up to five days inside a woman’s body, increasing the odds of conception. As a result, you’re fertile for approximately five to six days each month.
Because ovulation does not happen at the same time every month, knowing the indicators of ovulation is crucial. Bodily changes such as stomach cramps and a little rise in body temperature are examples. Find out how to know when you’re most fertile in different ways.