Infertility: Causes and Treatments

Having trouble conceiving a child can be nerve-wracking for couples who are trying to no avail. The CDC reports that 7.3 women in the United States between 15 and 44 years old have issues with fertility. Being part of this astoundingly large number of women seems depressing but fortunately there is still a degree of hope for many women.

The symptoms of infertility are quite minimal. In fact, the only noticeable sign is the inability to get pregnant after trying for more than a year. The underlying causes of the fertility issues, however, are numerous and various but the Mayo Clinic reports that 40 to 50 percent of infertility cases are due to an issue with the woman. One such condition is called Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS. This condition is hormonal and effects the woman's ability to reach ovulation.

Fertility Hindrances

Whether the cause of infertility is known or not, it is best to avoid some of the things that attribute to the hindrance of your body's ability to become and remain fertile. Some of these hindrances that may attribute to infertility include tobacco use, alcohol use, caffeine use and strenuous exercise. The weight of a woman also attributes to fertility and if you are above or below a healthy weight it may become difficult to conceive. It's necessary to give your body the proper nutrition it needs along with sunlight and a healthy regimen of physical activity without overdoing it.

Visiting Your Doctor

Making an appointment with your doctor is necessary in detecting and diagnosing any problems that may be causing your infertility. At your doctor's appointment a series of tests may be performed in addition to discussing the issue with your doctor. Such tests include hormone testing, genetic testing and laposcropic exploratory surgery. You may also receive a pelvic ultrasound to detect whether or not cysts are present.

Treatment Options

Potential treatments for infertility varies greatly depending on the particular case. In some cases increasing the amount of sex you have with your partner is recommended to stimulate the reproductive system of both partners. On the other hand, too much sex causes the vitality of the sperm to decrease.

Out of all available treatments associated with infertility, drug treatment is the most popularly and commonly used. Fertility drugs like Clomiphene and Serophene stimulate the ovulation process in many women who otherwise cannot ovulate. This, in turn, allows the woman to conceive through normal sexual intercourse.

Surgery is an option in cases in which the woman suffers from cysts, blockages or endometrial buildup. Sometimes a D&C is performed as an outpatient procedure to clean the area of endometrial tissue. Women with endometriosis are difficult to treat, but ovulation stimulation has been successful.