An infertile couple is a couple that has been trying to conceive unsuccessfully for one year without the use of contraceptives. There are many things that cause infertility, and fortunately most of them are treatable with modern medical techniques.
About one third of infertility cases are due to female causes, about one third are due to male causes, and the remaining third are either due to both male and female causes, or unexplained causes.
A common cause of infertility in women is ovulation problems, when the ovaries do not release an egg each month. They can be caused by problems with the part of the brain or the glands that control ovulation. Ovulation problems are often treated with fertility drugs, usually clomiphene.
Cervical factors may also cause infertility in women. The cervical mucus may not be the right consistency, may not contain the right nutrients, or may even contain antisperm antibodies. This is generally treated by intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Blocked fallopian tubes are the cause of infertility in 40% of women. If one or both of a woman’s fallopian tubes are blocked, then the egg is unable to reach the uterus, and the sperm cannot reach the egg to fertilize it. Blocked tubes may be caused by an STD or other uterine infection, a ruptured appendix, or prior surgery. Blocked tubes may be treated by surgery to try and unblock them, or a couple may undergo in vitro fertilization.
Weight problems are another potential cause of infertility in women. Whether a woman is overweight or underweight, a woman’s chance of pregnancy is lowered. While being overweight or underweight is often the cause of infertility, it is also possible that the cause of infertility and the cause of the weight problem may be the same thing. It has not been proven that losing weight will increase the chances of pregnancy. However, entering pregnancy at a healthier weight can reduce the risk of complications, like gestational diabetes.
The leading cause of infertility in men is low sperm count. Low sperm count can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, testicular overheating (from hot tubs, tight underwear, or high fever), substance abuse, smoking, malnutrition, obesity, bicycling, exposure to heavy metals or genetic factors. Many of these are treatable and can also be the cause of abnormal sperm morphology or low sperm motility, also common causes of male infertility. Treatment for male infertility can range from fertility drugs to correcting the condition that is thought to cause it.
Age is also a cause of infertility in both men and women. While it may seem that infertility rates are on the rise, this may be due to the fact that many people today wait until they are older to have children. The rates of infertility rise in both men and women after the age of thirty.
These are just some of the more common of the many possible causes of infertility. Couples that have been trying to conceive can take heart in the fact that many of these are treatable, and chances of conception can rise greatly when the conditions that cause infertility are removed.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Friday, December 25, 2009
Infertility Treatments
There are many methods used to treat infertility. The treatment and success rate vary greatly, depending mainly on the cause of infertility. Some of the common infertility treatments are: assisted conception, fertility drugs, surgery, and homeopathic methods. Each type of treatment has its advantages and disadvantages.
Assisted conception is the manipulation of egg and sperm in treating infertility. There are a number of methods used, and they are generally used in conjunction with fertility drugs to give the best chance of success. Assisted conception techniques are invasive and expensive. They are often recommended as a last resort for having a baby. The main concern with assisted conception is multiple births. Nadya Suleman, or “octomom”, is perhaps the most well known case of multiple births in recent history.
Some of the more common methods of assisted conception:
- In vitro fertilization (IVF): One of the most well known methods. Eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory environment, and the resulting embryos are transplanted to the woman’s uterus. Louise Brown, the first baby to be conceived by IVF, was born in 1978.
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI): One of the less technical methods used, sperm is inserted directly into the uterus at the time of ovulation.
- Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT): Eggs and sperm combined in a laboratory and are then placed in the fallopian tubes. Fertilization happens inside the body.
- Surrogacy: This is where another woman carries the embryo to term and gives the baby to the biological parents after birth.
It is also common to use donor provided eggs or sperm in these procedures.
There are many different fertility drugs on the market. The drug prescribed will depend on the identified cause of infertility. Some of the more common fertility drugs:
- Bromocriptine (known by the brand name Parlodel): Used to treat ovulation problems caused by excess of hormone prolactin. If no other fertility problems are present, the couple may try to conceive naturally. Bromocriptine is considered safe even if it must be used for several years. 50% of women will ovulate as long as they continue taking the drug.
- Clomiphene: Used to treat women who ovulate irregularly, or not at all, as well as in cases of unexplained infertility. Clomiphene may also be used to treat men. It is the most widely used fertility drug.
- Human Menopausal Gonadotrophin (hMG): Used to treat fertility problems in both men and women. hMG helps women to ovulate and improves sperm count in men. It is given to women who have not responded to clomiphene, and to men with a hormonal imbalance. It is taken by injection.
In certain cases, surgery may be required to treat infertility. Blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, fibroids and ovarian cysts can all be treated with surgery.
Homeopathic remedies are becoming increasingly popular. They are often less expensive and focus on improving general health, especially reproductive health. Homeopathic remedies are natural treatments that can be used to treat both men and women. You should consult a doctor before trying homeopathic remedies, as drug companies are not required by the FDA to test or review them for safety.
Even with modern medical practices and infertility treatments, some couples still fail to conceive. When this happens, many couples have turned to adoption. Adoption can be a good alternative for infertile couples wishing to have children.
Assisted conception is the manipulation of egg and sperm in treating infertility. There are a number of methods used, and they are generally used in conjunction with fertility drugs to give the best chance of success. Assisted conception techniques are invasive and expensive. They are often recommended as a last resort for having a baby. The main concern with assisted conception is multiple births. Nadya Suleman, or “octomom”, is perhaps the most well known case of multiple births in recent history.
Some of the more common methods of assisted conception:
- In vitro fertilization (IVF): One of the most well known methods. Eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory environment, and the resulting embryos are transplanted to the woman’s uterus. Louise Brown, the first baby to be conceived by IVF, was born in 1978.
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI): One of the less technical methods used, sperm is inserted directly into the uterus at the time of ovulation.
- Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT): Eggs and sperm combined in a laboratory and are then placed in the fallopian tubes. Fertilization happens inside the body.
- Surrogacy: This is where another woman carries the embryo to term and gives the baby to the biological parents after birth.
It is also common to use donor provided eggs or sperm in these procedures.
There are many different fertility drugs on the market. The drug prescribed will depend on the identified cause of infertility. Some of the more common fertility drugs:
- Bromocriptine (known by the brand name Parlodel): Used to treat ovulation problems caused by excess of hormone prolactin. If no other fertility problems are present, the couple may try to conceive naturally. Bromocriptine is considered safe even if it must be used for several years. 50% of women will ovulate as long as they continue taking the drug.
- Clomiphene: Used to treat women who ovulate irregularly, or not at all, as well as in cases of unexplained infertility. Clomiphene may also be used to treat men. It is the most widely used fertility drug.
- Human Menopausal Gonadotrophin (hMG): Used to treat fertility problems in both men and women. hMG helps women to ovulate and improves sperm count in men. It is given to women who have not responded to clomiphene, and to men with a hormonal imbalance. It is taken by injection.
In certain cases, surgery may be required to treat infertility. Blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, fibroids and ovarian cysts can all be treated with surgery.
Homeopathic remedies are becoming increasingly popular. They are often less expensive and focus on improving general health, especially reproductive health. Homeopathic remedies are natural treatments that can be used to treat both men and women. You should consult a doctor before trying homeopathic remedies, as drug companies are not required by the FDA to test or review them for safety.
Even with modern medical practices and infertility treatments, some couples still fail to conceive. When this happens, many couples have turned to adoption. Adoption can be a good alternative for infertile couples wishing to have children.
Friday, December 18, 2009
What is Infertility
Infertility is described as the diminished ability or inability to conceive and have offspring. A couple is considered to be infertile if they have failed to conceive after twelve months of regular sexual intercourse without contraception. Women over 30 are considered infertile after six months. Women who continue to miscarry are also considered infertile.
Infertility is also subdivided into two groups: primary and secondary. Couples that have primary infertility are those that have never had a child. Couples with secondary infertility are those that have had a child in the past, but are unable to have one now. This includes those couples who have undergone sterilization procedures and have changed their mind.
Infertility rates have been increasing worldwide for some time. A major contributing factor is that the number of women having their first child after age 30 has quadrupled since the 1970s. The chance of a woman becoming infertile increases 3 to 5% each year after age 30.
Studies have shown that approximately one third of infertility cases are due to female causes, one third due to male causes, and the other one third are mutual or unexplained.
The most common reason for infertility in men is low sperm count. There are several common reasons for infertility in women, including failure to ovulate, blocked fallopian tubes and antibodies to a partner’s sperm. Psychological issues may contribute as well.
Infertility can be caused by many things: disease, fibroids, diabetes, pollution, stress and age are just a few. Fortunately, with advances in medicine, most of these causes are now treatable. Some of the common treatments include assisted conception and fertility drugs. Other techniques may be used as well, such as in vitro fertilization or surrogacy.
If you have been unsuccessfully trying to conceive for over a year, or for six months if you are a woman over 30, you should see your doctor. As with any health problem, it is important that you seek diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
Infertility can be a difficult trial for a couple to deal with. The good news is that many couples who are treated for infertility are eventually able to have children.
Infertility is also subdivided into two groups: primary and secondary. Couples that have primary infertility are those that have never had a child. Couples with secondary infertility are those that have had a child in the past, but are unable to have one now. This includes those couples who have undergone sterilization procedures and have changed their mind.
Infertility rates have been increasing worldwide for some time. A major contributing factor is that the number of women having their first child after age 30 has quadrupled since the 1970s. The chance of a woman becoming infertile increases 3 to 5% each year after age 30.
Studies have shown that approximately one third of infertility cases are due to female causes, one third due to male causes, and the other one third are mutual or unexplained.
The most common reason for infertility in men is low sperm count. There are several common reasons for infertility in women, including failure to ovulate, blocked fallopian tubes and antibodies to a partner’s sperm. Psychological issues may contribute as well.
Infertility can be caused by many things: disease, fibroids, diabetes, pollution, stress and age are just a few. Fortunately, with advances in medicine, most of these causes are now treatable. Some of the common treatments include assisted conception and fertility drugs. Other techniques may be used as well, such as in vitro fertilization or surrogacy.
If you have been unsuccessfully trying to conceive for over a year, or for six months if you are a woman over 30, you should see your doctor. As with any health problem, it is important that you seek diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
Infertility can be a difficult trial for a couple to deal with. The good news is that many couples who are treated for infertility are eventually able to have children.
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