InFertility Problems – Treatment Overview

What are Infertility problems?

You may have infertility problems if you haven't been able to get pregnant after trying for at least 1 year. It doesn't necessarily mean you will never get pregnant. Often, couples conceive without help in their second year of trying. Some don't succeed. But medical treatments do help many couples.

Age is an important factor if you are trying to decide whether to get testing and treatment for infertility problems. A woman is most fertile in her late 20s. After age 35, fertility decreases and the risk of miscarriage goes up.

• If you are younger than 35, you may want to give yourself more time to get pregnant.
• If you are 35 or older, you may want to get help soon.

What causes fertility problems?

In cases of fertility problems:

• About 50 out of 100 are caused by a problem with the woman’s reproductive system. These may be problems with her fallopian tubes or uterus or her ability to ovulate (release an egg).
• About 35 out of 100 are caused by a problem with the man's reproductive system . The most common is low sperm count.
• In about 10 out of 100, no cause can be found in spite of testing.
• About 5 out of 100 are caused by an uncommon problem, such as the man or woman having been exposed to a medicine called DES before birth.

Should you be tested for infertility problems?

Before you have fertility tests, try fertility awareness. A woman can learn when she is likely to ovulate and be fertile by charting her basal body temperature and using home tests. Some couples find that they simply have been missing their most fertile days when trying to conceive.

How are infertility problems treated?

A wide range of treatments is available. Depending on what is causing the problem, a couple may be able to:

• Take a medicine that helps the woman ovulate.
• Have a procedure that puts sperm directly inside the woman (insemination).
• Have a surgery that corrects a problem caused by endometriosis or blocked fallopian tubes.
• Have a procedure that might increase the man?s sperm count.

Which Infertility Treatment should you opt for?

Some infertility problems are more easily treated than others. In general, as a woman ages, especially after age 35, her chances of getting pregnant go down. But her risk of miscarriage goes up.

If you are 35 or older, your doctor may recommend that you skip some of the steps younger couples usually take. That's because your chances of having a baby decrease with each passing year.

It's important to understand that even if you are able to get pregnant, no treatment can guarantee a healthy baby. On the other hand, scientists in this field have made many advances that have helped millions of couples have babies.

Take time to plan

Before you and your partner start the infertility treatment, talk about how far you want to go with treatment. For example, you may want to try medicine but don't want to have surgery. While you may change your mind during your treatment, it’s good to have an idea where you want to draw the line.

Treatment for infertility can also cost a lot. And insurance often doesn't cover these expenses. If cost is a concern for you, ask how much the medicine and procedures cost. Then find out if your insurance covers any costs. Talk with your partner about what you can afford.

Thinking about this ahead of time may help keep you from becoming emotionally and financially drained from trying a series of treatments you hadn't planned for.

Types of Infertility treatment

- Treatment for the woman

Treatments for fertility problems in women depend on what may be keeping the woman from getting pregnant. Sometimes the cause isn't known.

• Problems with ovulating. Treatment may include taking medicine, such as:
  • Clomiphene. It stimulates your ovaries to release eggs.
  • Metformin. It's used to treat polycystic ovary syndrome.

• Unexplained fertility. If your doctor can't find out why you and your partner haven't been able to get pregnant, treatment may include:
  • Clomiphene.
  • Hormone injections.
  Insemination.
• Blocked or damaged tubes. If your fallopian tubes are blocked, treatment may include tubal surgery.

- Treatment for the man

Your doctor might recommend that you try insemination first. The sperm are collected and then concentrated to increase the number of healthy sperm for insemination.

When initial treatments don't work

Many couples who have problems getting pregnant arrive at a common point: They must decide whether they want to try assisted reproductive technology (ART).

• In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common type of ART.
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI (say "ICK-see"). In a lab, your doctor injects one sperm into one egg. If fertilization occurs, the doctor puts the embryo into the woman's uterus.

To Know More About Infertility Treatment Clinics Mumbai Contact Us Now...

Fertility First
Khokhani Lane,
Opp. Ghatkopar Rly. Stn.,
Ghatkopar (E), Mumbai - 400 077
Phone: 022 - 67827000 / 7004 / 7005
Fax: 022 - 6782 7007
Emergency:9821125519/9821237708
Email: info@fertilityfirst.in