Infertility… How to deal with it?

Hey!! If you are reading this blog, you must be struggling with the issue of unable to conceive naturally. Yet, I assure you that if you remain hopeful and have confidence in God, anything is possible. Hence, in this article, I’ll talk about this delicate subject and reveal its root reasons as well as offer suggestions for how to make things better.

What is infertility?

Infertility is a complex problem that affects millions of people and couples worldwide. It is the inability to conceive after one year of intercourse without birth control. While pregnancy can be stressful, advances in medical science offer many ways to improve fertility and increase your chances of success.

 

What causes infertility?

Infertility can have many causes and can affect both men and women. Understanding the underlying causes of infertility is crucial to making appropriate treatment decisions. Here are some causes of infertility:

• Women:

1. 1. Ovulation disorders: Irregular or no ovulation can make it difficult for a woman to conceive. Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothalamic dysfunction, or premature ovarian failure (POI) can disrupt the ovulation process.
   2. Blocked fallopian tubes: Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes can prevent sperm from reaching the egg or a fertilized egg leaving the uterus. This can be caused by conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis, or previous pelvic surgery.
   3. Uterine abnormalities: Any abnormality in the uterus, such as fibroids, polyps, or congenital malformations that may hinder implantation and pregnancy.
   4. Age characteristics: As a woman ages, the quantity and quality of her eggs decrease, making pregnancy more difficult. Advanced maternal age is associated with a greater risk of infertility and pregnancy complications. Chapter

• Male factors:

1. 1. Abnormal sperm production or function: Problems with sperm production, motility (movement), or morphology (shape) can affect male fertility. Conditions such as varicocele, hormonal imbalances, genetic disorders or diseases can affect sperm health.
   2. Ejaculation disorders: Ejaculation problems such as retrograde ejaculation (where semen goes to the bladder instead of sperm) or erectile dysfunction can cause male infertility.
   3. Occlusion: Obstruction of the male reproductive system, such as congenital vas deferens deficiency or previous surgery, will prevent sperm ejaculation.

• Combined Factors: In some cases, pregnancy can result from a combination that affects both partners. These factors may include: Chapter

1. 1. Unexplained Infertility: Despite thorough medical evaluation, in 10-20% of cases the cause of infertility remains unexplained. Unexplained infertility is thought to result from subtle abnormalities in egg or sperm quality, embryo development, or implantation.
   2. Lifestyle factors: Certain lifestyle choices can affect fertility in both men and women. Factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, obesity, poor diet and exposure to environmental toxins can affect fertility.
   3. Medical: An underlying medical condition such as diabetes, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, or certain cancers that can affect fertility in both men and women.
   4. Genetic factors: In some cases, genetic abnormalities or genetic diseases can cause infertility. Genetic testing may be recommended to identify genetic risk factors.

Ways to improve your fertility :

• Lifestyle changes:

1. 1. Eat a healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats can be beneficial for pregnancy. Nutrients such as folic acid, zinc, and antioxidants are particularly beneficial.
   2. Regular exercise: Being physically active helps control body weight, improves hormonal balance and improves overall sex drive.
   3. Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight is important for pregnancy. Both obesity and obesity can disrupt hormonal balance and affect fertility. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can improve fertility.
   4. Smoking and drinking: Heavy smoking and drinking are associated with reductions in both men and women. Quitting smoking and drinking alcohol can improve results.

• Medical treatment:

1. 1. Fertility drugs: Many drugs can cause ovulation in women or increase sperm production in men. These drugs are usually prescribed after a thorough evaluation of a person’s medical history and potential fertility.
   2. Assisted reproductive technology (ART): ART includes procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and intrauterine insemination (IUI). These strategies help overcome certain fertility issues and increase fertility.
   3. Surgery: In some cases, surgery is required to correct anatomical defects, remove blockages, or repair damaged organs. Surgical procedures such as laparoscopy or hysteroscopy may be done to treat conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or clogged arteries.
   4. Fertility Preservation: For individuals who wish to delay childbearing, fertility preservation techniques such as egg freezing or sperm banking can be considered. These methods allow individuals to preserve their reproductive cells when they are younger and have better fertility potential.

• Emotional Support:

1. 1. Infertility can take a toll on an individual’s emotional well-being. Seeking emotional support from loved ones, joining support groups, or seeking counselling can provide a safe space to express feelings, cope with the challenges, and reduce stress associated with infertility.
   2. Practices like mindfulness, visualization, and relaxation exercises can help individuals manage stress, anxiety, and depression related to infertility. These techniques promote a positive mindset and emotional well-being, which can indirectly improve fertility outcomes. RELATED: https://www.littlevenyamom.com/mom/positive-habits-for-stay-at-home-moms/

• Male Fertility:

1. 1. Male Factor Evaluation: Infertility is not solely a female issue. Male factor infertility accounts for a significant percentage of cases. It is crucial for men to undergo a thorough evaluation to identify any underlying issues such as low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm morphology. Treatments such as medication, surgery, or lifestyle modifications can help improve male fertility.
   2. Sperm Health: Maintaining optimal sperm health is essential for successful conception. Avoiding excessive heat exposure, reducing exposure to toxins, and adopting a healthy lifestyle can positively impact sperm quality and quantity.

How IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) Helps Treat Infertility?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a highly used treatment method to help people who are not able to get pregnant by themselves. It consists of several steps and is usually recommended when other infertility treatments have not been successful. Let me explain you how IVF works and how it can help you to conceive:

• Stimulation of the ovaries: The first step in IVF involves stimulating the donor’s (woman’s partner) ovaries with hormones. This helps the ovaries produce more eggs in one cycle, ensuring successful fertilization.
• Egg collection: When the egg is mature, a minor surgery called egg collection or egg aspiration is performed. Under ultrasound guidance, a thin needle is passed through the wall of the vagina to collect eggs from the ovary. The procedure is usually done under sedation to reduce discomfort.
• Sperm Collection: A sperm sample is taken from the male partner or sperm donor on the same day during egg collection. Sperm are prepared and processed to select the healthiest, most active sperm for fertilization.
• Fertilization: In the laboratory, fertilization is achieved by combining selected eggs and sperm in a controlled environment. This can be done using a sperm injection (injection of sperm near the egg) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (injection of a single sperm directly into the egg). Embryos are monitored for signs of successful fertilization and early development.
• Embryo culture: Fertilized eggs (now called embryos) are cultured for several days in a special incubator. Embryologists monitor their growth and development during this period.
• Embryo Selection: The strongest and healthiest embryos are selected for transfer to the uterus. The number of embryos transferred depends on many factors, such as the patient’s age and the quality of the embryos. All surviving embryos can be frozen for future use (cryopreservation).
• Embryo transfer: With a simple procedure, selected embryos are transferred to the womb of the woman’s partner. This is done through a thin catheter and is usually painless. It is hoped that at least one of the embryos will implant in the uterus and become pregnant.
• Pregnancy test: About two weeks after embryo transfer, a blood test is done to check for the presence of pregnancy hormones. A positive test means that implantation is complete and pregnancy has begun.

IVF has many advantages in the treatment of infertility, ovulation disorders, endometriosis syndrome and unexplained infertility.

• About multiple causes: IVF can help couples with multiple causes of infertility, such as blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm count, ovulation problems, endometriosis, and more.
• Fertilization Control: In vitro fertilization treatment is simplified and problems that prevent natural reproduction are overcome
• Embryo selection: Being able to select healthy embryos can increase the chances of a successful pregnancy and reduce the risk of genetic diseases.
• Cryopreservation: Excess embryos can be frozen for later, allowing parents to try to conceive without having to go through the entire IVF process again.
• Success: IVF has improved over the years and the success rate is high, especially in young patients.

Infertility can be a challenging journey, but there are numerous ways to improve fertility and increase the chances of successful conception. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, seeking medical interventions when necessary, and exploring alternative therapies, individuals and couples can address the underlying causes of infertility and enhance their reproductive health. It is important to consult with healthcare professionals specializing in fertility to receive personalized guidance and support throughout the process. Remember, each individual’s fertility journey is unique, and with the right approach, the dream of starting a family can become a reality.