What Infertility Treatments Are Suited for You?

According to studies by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10% of the US female population (aged 15-44), numbering about 6.1 million, have difficulty conceiving or sustaining a pregnancy. Although there are an increasing number of sophisticated infertility treatments available, lifestyle choices and a number of other social factors, together with physical abnormalities are contributing to the increase in infertility cases.

Infertility treatments are not confined to women alone. Both women and men can be responsible for the couple’s inability to conceive. In fact, about one third of cases are caused exclusively by male problems.

The causes for male infertility are:

• A condition known as varicocele occurs when the veins on the male testicles are too wide.
• The testes get overheated. Sperm quality and quantity is affected by this condition.
• Sperm motility can be less than desirable. This condition arises when the male has abnormally shaped sperm or injuries have been sustained that have damaged the reproductive system.
• Cystic fibrosis can cause infertility in males.

The fertility of a man can also be affected by the lifestyle that he leads. Heavy use of alcohol and drugs and cigarette smoking can affect sperm count and quality of sperm. The presence of toxins in the environment, pesticides and lead, can cause fertility problems in men. Kidney disease, hormone problems and mumps, are also reasons for decreased fertility. Age, diseases like cancer and use of certain medications can cause infertility in men as well.

A woman can face problems conceiving, if she is unable to ovulate normally. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is caused by a hormonal imbalance and is the most common cause for fertility problems in women. If the ovaries stop normal functioning before the woman reaches the age of 40 years, she is considered to be suffering from POI or primary ovarian insufficiency.

Some other causes for infertility in women:

• Blocked Fallopian tubes causes by endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease or surgery scars from an ectopic pregnancy.
• Physical abnormality of the uterus.
• Fibroids and polyps in the uterine cavity.

The woman’s lifestyle and age also affect her ability to conceive a child. The older the woman gets, the less chance she has of conceiving a baby. A high-stress job, poor diet, smoking and excessive alcohol intake are all factors that prevent a woman from conceiving and sustaining a pregnancy. STDs can also cause sterility in women. Being overweight or underweight and hormonal imbalances can influence the woman’s chance of conceiving. When consulting a medical professional for infertility treatments, the doctor would require a thorough assessment of both partners and their lifestyle and habits before suggesting infertility treatments.