It is estimated that
globally between 60-80 million couples suffer from infertility every year,
of which (IVF) may be the only option, it’s
important to know some of the very common causes of infertility. Probably
between 15- 20 million are in India alone says ICMR Bulletin. It could be very
disappointing every month to get a negative pregnancy test especially when you
are trying hard to get pregnant. But before assuming that in vitro
fertilization
Here are the
five possible facts why you might be struggling with infertility and what you
can do about it.
1. You
don’t have enough healthy eggs:
You’re born with
a fixed number of eggs but the number and health of your eggs declines as you
get older. In fact, a healthy and fertile 30-year-old has only 20 percent
chances of getting pregnant each month,
according to a report published in American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
If you are consuming fertility drugs then number of eggs further decreases.
What to
do: Optimizing egg health is a key, so gets to a healthy weight and if you
smoke, quit now. Do not consume drugs for egg formation without IUI and IVF.
Consult a good fertility centre and try to complete your family before 35 years
of age.
2. it’s your
partner’s problem:
Male infertility
is responsible for up to one-third of infertility cases. If your partner is
overweight, alcoholic or a smoker, it could be affecting your chances of
getting pregnant. An infection or inflammation of the prostate glands might
also be the cause.
What to
do: Losing weight and quitting smoking are the keys, but it’s also
important for your partner to see his doctor for a physical and a semen
analysis. Medication, Intrauterine insemination (IUI) or IVF are options
depending on the problem. Take lots of citrus fruits and anti-oxidants.
3. You
don’t ovulate:
Polycystic ovary
syndrome (PCOS), which can cause irregular menstrual cycles and an
increase in male hormones, affects about 5 to10 percent of women and is one of
the most common reasons that women don’t ovulate. Women with infrequent
menstrual periods, increased growth of hair on face, chest, stomach etc are
likely to have PCOS. In addition, being overweight, obese or underweight,
alcoholic as well as having a thyroid imbalance, can affect ovulation.
What to
do: One of the best ways to improve your fertility is to have a healthy
weight. It’s also important to be screened for polycystic ovary syndrome and
rule out other medical conditions. If you already know you don’t ovulate,
consult Infertility specialists for it.
4. Endometriosis:
Endometriosis is
a medical problem or a common disorder that has emotional consequences for
women. This disorder is currently affecting about 89 million young women in the
reproductive age group worldwide, out of which 25 million are Indian women. It
causes the lining of the uterine cavity to appear in the abdominal cavity,
which can cause painful periods, heavy bleeding, and infertility in 30 to 50
percent of women. You can say that it is the main reason for stomach pain and
inability to conceive in women between 25 to 30 years of age.
What to
do: Getting pregnant is already a challenge with endometriosis, so seek
treatment as soon as you plan to get pregnant. Young women with endometriosis
who want to conceive may require specialized treatments like IUI or IVF (test
tube baby).
5. Your
fallopian tubes are blocked:
When the
fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged, tubal factor, which accounts for about
35 percent of infertility, occurs. Tubal factor infertility can be caused by a
previous surgery, endometriosis or an STD. Sexually transmitted diseases,
especially Chlamydia, years later will contribute to tubal factor infertility.
What to
do: We have to make sure that the tubes are open, otherwise there’s no way
for sperm and egg to communicate. Your doctor can screen for tubal factor with
an x-ray and if the tubes are blocked, IVF is the best treatment.
