Often, couples marry with the intent of having children one day. But, for 1out of 13 couples, it doesn’t happen that easily. It can be earth shattering when couples find out they can’t conceive. Infertility is the failure to conceive after a year of trying or repeated failure to carry a pregnancy to term. This list should help you understand some problems associated with infertility.
She May be Unable to Conceive Easily Because of One of These Problems
50% of couples have fallopian tube problem: eggs not traveling to be fertilized; eggs not reaching the womb after fertilization. Causes: Blockage, perhaps through infection or previous ectopic pregnancy; scarring through endometriosis; tube compression through fibroids; surgery.
33% of couples have an ovulation problem: ovaries not producing egg; eggs not maturing; mature eggs not being released to be fertilized. Causes:Hormonal problems, such as difficulties with pituitary gland or hypothalamus; ovaries may be affected by illness, surgery, stress or weight problems.
10% of couples have a womb problem: eggs not implanting in womb; eggs not staying implanted in womb; eggs not developing once implanted. Causes: Some medical conditions-fibroids, polyps, internal adhesions, inflammation-affect the shape or functioning of the womb.
5% of the couples have a cervical mucus; sperm being unable to move past the cervix and up into the womb. Causes: Too little mucus to encourage the sperm upward; mucus too thick that sperm cannot travel; the cervix produces antibodies that destroy the sperm.
He May Be Unable to Fertilize Your Eggs Because of These Problems
90% of couples have a problem with sperm themselves; not enough sperm; abnormal sperm. Causes: Environmental pollution; infection; illness; injury; overheating of the testicles; injury to the testes; hormonal problems; stress or natural decline in sperm production with age.
10% of the couples have problem with immobile sperm; blockage in tubes that carry sperm from testes; difficulty in getting an erection; difficulty in ejaculations; problems with muscles that propel semen along penis. Causes:Hormonal or prostate gland problems; structural problems; scarring from infections.
Problems and Solutions
- If the problem is related to ovulation, hormone treatment to supplement or replace hormones that are lacking is usually offered to stimulate the ovaries, mature the egg inside the follicle, or build up the endometrium so that the embryo will survive.
- Not a great deal can be done medically about low sperm count, although some drug treatments may help. Men are usually encouraged to drink less, stop smoking, eat more healthily, and take more exercise.
- A “structural” problem stopping the egg or sperm from reaching the right place can sometimes be treated with microsurgery to remove blockage.
If none of these methods work there are other options such as: egg implantation-eggs are removed from your ovary and mixed with your partner’s sperm, then replaced in the womb. Alternatively, your partner’s ejaculate may be gathered-often from multiple ejaculations to get a higher concentration of sperm-“washed” to remove any unhealthy sperm, and then directly into your womb during ovulation.
Other options are donor sperm-which is placed into the vagina and inserted into the womb. Egg donation-requires fertilizing another woman’s eggs with your partner’s sperm, and then introducing them into your womb. For those women who cannot carry a baby to term, a surrogate can be used-usually using partner’s sperm to fertilize her own egg. And adoption-there are a number of loving children who are confined to an orphanage, who would love to be apart of a loving family. There are also natural methods for increasing your chances of fertility. For these options you will need to consult the sevices of a natural fertility specialist.
References:
Foley, Denise, Eileen Nechas and the Editors of Prevention Magazine. Women's Encyclopedia of Health & Emotional Healing: Top Doctors Share Their Unique Self-Help Advice on Your Body, Your Feelings and Your Life. Pennsylvania Rodale Press, Emmaus 1993:228-235
Quilliam, Susan. Every Woman's Guide To Sexual Fulfillment: An Illustrated Lifetime Guide to Your Sexuality and Sensuality. New York Simon & Schuster 1997:116
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