If you are struggling to get pregnant, remember that you are not alone. Millions of people face the same issue, out of which many have successfully conceived and delivered a baby. When you can’t get pregnant despite trying for at least a year, you and your partner may be sub-fertile. Subfertility or Infertility can happen due to a health issue or a combination of factors that prevent pregnancy. However, many effective fertility treatments increase the chances of getting pregnant. Read on to learn more about them.
There are many types of infertility faced by men and women. Some of the common problems are as follows:
Male Infertility
Conditions that affect sperm quality and production: Undescended testicles, hormone problems, genetic problems, and chronic health conditions like diabetes. Infections like HIV, gonorrhoea, chlamydia or mumps can also affect sperm. Varicocele, where the scrotum has enlarged veins, can affect sperm quality.
Sperm cannot reach the female reproductive tract: This can happen due to premature ejaculation, testicular blockage, injury or damage, or genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis.
Environmental factors: Exposure to radiation, chemicals or pesticides. Exposure of testicles to heat due to hot tubs or saunas can affect sperm-making ability.
Cancer treatments: Radiation and chemotherapy can affect the production of sperm.
Ovulation disorders: Hormonal problems like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). Too much or too little thyroid hormone production can affect the menstrual cycle and lead to infertility. Too much exercise, tumours, eating disorders, or high levels of prolactin can also cause ovulation disorders.
Uterine conditions: Problems with uterine shape due to congenital anomolies and problems with cervix, tumours in the uterine walls called uterine fibroids may cause infertility. Fibroids can block the fallopian tube, where the sperm and the egg meet, and stop the fertilised egg from attaching to the uterus.
Blocked or damaged fallopian tube: This is caused by infections of the fallopian tubes and reproductive organs causing swelling of fallopian tubes called hydrosaplinx hence leading to damaged and blocked tubes. Tubal blockage can also be secondary to ectopic pregancies causing scarring of the fallopian tubes.
Endometriosis: The endometrium (tissue similar to the uterine lining) grows outside the uterus. This may impact the functioning of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
Pelvic adhesions are scar tissues that stick to the organs and can be secondary to endometriosis, pelvic infection, or appendicitis.
Cancer: Certain cancers, especially those of the reproductive organs, affect female fertility. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments can also cause infertility.
Primary ovarian insufficiency: The ovarian function stops at an early age leadong to premature insufficiency of eggs.
Fertility Treatment For Male And Female
Fertility treatment can be an anxious and long journey. However, the good news is that the procedures are safe, and the success rates are improving. There are three main fertility treatments:
Medications
Surgery
Assisted conception
The infertility treatment for male and female choice that the healthcare provider opts for depends on the cause of infertility, the length of infertility, the age of the couple (if there is a partner) and personal preferences.
Treatment For Men
Lifestyle changes: The doctor may recommend getting regular exercise and making lifestyle changes like drinking less alcohol, giving up smoking, and quitting tobacco. Depending on the severity of the health condition, men may also have to stop taking medicines that affect fertility.
Medicines: The healthcare provider may prescribe prescription medicines to enhance the sperm count and help the functioning of the testicles.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery to remove the blockage of sperm and restoration of fertility may be done. Repair of large varicocele may be done to enhance the chances of conception.
Sperm retrieval: These are employed if there are ejaculation issues or if the semen has no sperm. This procedure may also be done for assisted reproductive techniques when the sperm count is low.
Treatment For Women
Medicines: Medications are prescribed to treat ovulation problems. If there is no ovulation, they help the ovaries produce eggs. Hormone therapy may also be given to restore optimal hormone levels.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI): In this procedure, healthy sperm are introduced into the uterus directly at the time of ovulation. Depending on the cause of infertility, IUI can be used with other fertility medications or timed with the menstrual cycle. The sperm can be from your spouse or a donor.
Surgery: A hysteroscopy can treat certain conditions, such as fibroids, polyps, and scar tissue. If you suffer from conditions like large fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, etc., then a traditional surgery with a large cut in the abdomen or a laparoscopic surgery with small cuts may be performed.
Assisted reproductive technology, ART, can be an option to treat infertility in women and men. There are many types of ART.
IVF (Invitro Fertilization): This is the best treatment to get pregnant faster. Fertility medicines are given to produce eggs. These mature eggs are then retrieved from the ovaries. The eggs are then fertilised with the sperm in a lab. The fertilised egg is allowed to grow for about 3 to 5 days, and then the embryo is placed in the uterus. Sometimes, a few other techniques are also performed in an IVF cycle;
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, ICSO, is when a healthy sperm is injected into a mature egg. This is used when the sperm quality or quantity is poor. This can also be used when previous IVF cycles have not worked. Another technique that is used in IVF is assisted hatching. In this technique, the embryo attaches to the uterine lining. A small part of the embryo’s outer covering is opened with the help of lasers and hence called hatching. This method is used when the embryo quality is poor when the woman is over 35 years old or because of previous IVF failures.
ZIFT (Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer) and GIFT (Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer): In ZIFT, the stimulated eggs are collected using Invitro Fertilization, and then the sperm and the eggs are mixed in the lab. The zygote or the fertilised eggs are then planted into the fallopian tubes by performing a laparoscopic surgery. However, in GIFT treatment, the sperm and the egg are placed in the fallopian tube for fertilisation.
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Conclusion
There are many fertility treatment options ranging from medication and lifestyle changes to advanced procedures like IVF. Each option is to address specific causes of infertility. Consult a specialist to determine the best possible treatment for infertility.
FAQs:
What is the best treatment for infertility?
The best infertility treatment depends on the cause. However, if medication and surgery do not work, IVF is the best infertility treatment.
What is the best fertility treatment to get pregnant?
The best treatment to get pregnant depends on factors like the cause of infertility, age and other health factors. Some common effective fertility treatments include lifestyle changes, medications, surgery, Intrauterine insemination and Invitro fertilisation.
How do you process infertility?
Processing infertility can be quite a challenge. Consulting a professional can help get the proper guidance to evaluate the cause and treatment options and make informed decisions based on the recommendations. It is essential to stay informed and updated with the latest treatment for additional options. Practice self-care to reduce stress and promote well-being.
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