What is infertility?
Infertility refers to the biological inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to full term after having regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for at least a year. It affects an estimated 1 in 8 couples globally.
There are many potential causes behind infertility issues:
- Hormonal imbalances - Irregularities in hormones like estrogen, progesterone, FSH, or testosterone can disrupt ovulation in women or sperm production in men
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) - A hormonal disorder causing irregular menstrual cycles and ovarian cysts which can hamper conception
- Endometriosis - The abnormal growth of uterine tissue outside the uterus, which can impact fertility
- Poor sperm quality - Low sperm count, poor morphology, or inadequate motility makes it difficult for sperm to fertilize an egg
- Fallopian tube damage or blockage - Prevents the egg and sperm from meeting
- Uterine or cervical factors - Structural issues or abnormalities in the reproductive tract
In many cases, lifestyle factors also come into play:
- Being overweight or underweight
- Smoking and alcohol consumption
- Stress
- Advanced maternal age
If you suspect you may be dealing with infertility, have hope! Today's advanced technologies offer many pathways to parenthood through both medical treatment and assisted reproductive techniques.
Seeking Treatment
Some options to explore include:
- Medications - Fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation or sperm production
- Surgery - To repair structural problems like blocked tubes
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI) - Directly inserting sperm into the uterus
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) - Fertilizing eggs with sperm in a lab and transferring to the uterus
- Third party reproduction - Using donated eggs, sperm or embryos
I hope this overview on infertility, it's causes, and available treatments helps provide clarity and direction to those struggling with this difficult diagnosis. Please comment any other questions below!