It's been said that every couple needs a child to make a family. However, many couples are experiencing problems with having a child which we call infertility.
As defined, infertility is the inability of a sexually active, non-contracepting couple to achieve pregnancy in one year. The problem lies either to the male, female or both of them.
Infertility means not being able to become pregnant after a year of trying. If a woman can get pregnant but keeps having miscarriages or stillbirths, that's also called infertility.
Infertility is fairly common. After one year of having unprotected sex, about 15 percent of couples are unable to get pregnant. About a third of the time, infertility can be traced to the women while another third of cases, it is because of the men. The rest of the time, it is because of both partners or no cause can be found, Advanced Fertility says.
There are treatments that are specifically for men or for women. Some involve both partners. Drugs, assisted reproductive technology and surgery are common treatments. Luckily, many couples treated for infertility go on to have babies.
So, what are the common cause of infertility? Please read below.
First reason is ovulation problems. It occurs when eggs don't mature in the ovaries or when the ovaries fail to release a mature egg. Ovulation problems are common in women with infertility. Possible solutions include managing body weight if it's too low or too high, taking fertility drugs (with or without artificial insemination) and having in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Next is endometriosis and it is a condition that occurs when tissue normally found in the lining of the uterus (endometrial tissue) grows outside of it, usually in the abdomen or pelvis. Surgery to remove endometrial tissue or open blocked fallopian tubes, fertility drugs (with or without artificial insemination) and IVF are its possible solutions, Medicine Net notes.
Lastly, infertility may be due to the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which small follicles in the ovaries don't develop into the larger, mature follicles that release eggs. It's also characterized by hormone imbalances and unpredictable ovulation patterns.
To resolve this condition, lifestyle modifications are needed (like diet and exercise), clomiphene citrate, injected fertility drugs, ovarian drilling (a surgical procedure that can trigger ovulation) and IVF. In women with glucose intolerance, the diabetes drug metformin (Glucophage) can also help restore regular ovulation.
