Infertility
If you and your partner have been actively trying to become pregnant for a least 1 year with no success, you may have fertility problems. There are a number of factors that impact fertility. Age is a significant factor, with women being the most fertile in their 20s and becoming increasingly less fertile after the age of 35. In addition to age, there are several other reasons why becoming pregnant may be difficult.
50% of fertility problems are due to issues with the female reproductive system, including problems with the fallopian tubes, uterus, or an inability to release an egg. 35% of fertility problems are due to issues with the male reproductive system, including having a low sperm count. 10% of fertility problems cannot be determined, and 5% are caused by a rare issue.
If you believe you are having issues becoming pregnant, you can contact your doctor to test for possible fertility problems. These tests can include a physical exam of both the male and female, a questionnaire about medical history and personal habits that could impact fertility, blood tests to check hormone imbalances in both partners, and semen quality analysis.
Being unable to become pregnant within the first year of trying does not mean that you are completely infertile. Some couples can become successfully pregnant within the second year of trying. However, if this is not the case there are treatments available depending on the cause of infertility. These include medicine to induce ovulation in the female, insemination, surgery, and procedures that increase the sperm count in the male. It is important to discuss with your doctor which treatment is right for you and your partner’s particular case.
If these treatments are unsuccessful, you can discuss other options with your doctor. Another option you and your partner can consider is in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF is often a costly procedure, depending on your healthcare plan. This is an important decision, and, therefore, it is recommended you discuss IVF in detail with your doctor and create a plan before making a decision.
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