As we all know infertility is on the rise in India and in the rest of the world. The reproductive life of individuals is shrinking and fertility clinics are seeing a big boom. This can be largely attributed to modern day stresses and lifestyle related issues. If you have been trying to have a baby for over 12 months, without any success in conception, this article is for you. Im sure you have umpteen advices from the we know all old women, probably someone with your best interests at heart has introduced you to a pandit or a baba.
But put aside all these well meanings pieces of advice and go get professional medical help. Usually couples have more than one causes of infertility. But fikar not, the medical advancements in the field will help you find a solution. Here are a few causes of infertility and treatment options available.
Common Causes of Infertility:
Male Factor Infertility: Male factor infertility accounts the problem with around 25-40% of couples. Male infertility usually is concerned with the quality of sperm i.e. number, shape and motility.
Ovulation: Almost 25-30% of infertile couples experience problems in ovulation. The reason could be a defect in the ovary like PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) or hormonal imbalance in the body or Premature Ovarian Failure, where the supply of eggs runs out early. Ovulation problems manifest in irregular periods or no periods.
Tubal Defects: Around 20-30% of infertile couples have some kind of defect in the Fallopian Tubes (that connect the ovaries to the uterus). Tubal defect could be due to scarring from surgery, infection (e.g. TB in the tubes) or previous tubal litigation (tying of the tubes).
Endometriosis: This is a cause of infertility in 5-10% of couples. It is a condition in which pieces of the endometrial lining (lining of the uterus) attach themselves to other pelvic organs like fallopian tubes, ovaries, or even the intestines.
Age: Fertility decreases with age. At 25 a woman has around 25% chance of conceiving per menstrual cycle. After 32 this percentage begins declining rapidly and at 40 the chances of conceiving per cycle are 5-10%
Unexplained Infertility: There is no attributable cause of infertility in 10-20% of couples. Everything seems to be fine but still conception does not occur.
Treatment Options:
Medication: If the investigation reports show ovulation disorder, drugs can be registered to initiate and regulate ovulation. In men, drugs can be administered to improve the quality and number of sperms.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): in the cases where the problem is of blocked tubes, endometriosis or an unexplained cause, the egg is taken from a womans body and fertilized in a laboratory. The fertilized egg is then placed inside the uterus. Babies born through IVF are called test tube babies. IVF can be very expensive and may usually require more than one cycle to achieve success.
Artificial Insemination: In couples where the male has low sperm count or low motility of sperms, or the female has antibodies in the mucus from cervix, Artificial Insemination is advised. Sperm from the male is taken and treated in a laboratory to enhance chances of fertilization and then directly placed in the uterus. This also helps in overcoming any problems in intercourse as well.
Surgery: If a mans sperm ducts are blocked and reduce the production of sperm or movement, he will be offered surgery. Similarly if a womans tubes are blocked, she will be offered surgery to unblock them.
Donor Eggs, Embryo and Sperm: where a woman cannot ovulate, she may opt for receiving eggs from an egg donor. Similarly where a man has inadequate sperm production, the couple can opt for a sperm donor. Embryo donor is also an option in cases where fertilization does not take place for some reason.
