Difficulty conceiving is a problem for many women and couples. It’s important to determine why you may be having problems and how to deal with them. At Southlake OB/GYN and Advanced Surgery, we are here to try to help.
Having a hard time conceiving can be caused by many factors, including stress. But for some cases, the cause is infertility. Infertility is defined as a disease of the reproductive system and it can happen in both men and women. It affects more than five million people of childbearing age in the United States. Sometimes it is a problem with the male reproductive system, sometimes the female. In some cases, it is a combined problem for the couple. And in 10 percent of cases, it is entirely unexplained. Infertility can be frustrating, emotionally draining, and very difficult on a psychological level as well.
The causes of infertility can vary. Age can be a factor, particularly for women. As women age, they ovulate less frequently, which lowers the chances of getting pregnant. Damage to the reproductive system can also be an issue, particularly in cases where there is scarring or blockage in the Fallopian tubes. Endometriosis — a disease that affects approximately five million women, or between six and ten percent of women of reproductive age — can be another cause of infertility. Male causes of infertility include low sperm count or “slow” sperm.
Treating infertility can take many forms. There are medications that can help, for example, such as ones that can increase egg production in women. Hormone replacement or injections can help both men and women overcome certain forms of infertility. Surgical options, if needed, can help to reconstruct damaged reproductive organs (in men or women) or remove tumors, scarring, polyps, or other problems that may be preventing eggs from traveling where they need to travel.
Other options include in vitro fertilization (IVF), where the eggs are fertilized outside of the body in a lab and implanted once they are considered viable. Intrauterine insemination is another form of artificial insemination; in this case, it is the sperm that is prepared and treated for insertion rather than eggs being implanted. Egg donation — where the egg of another woman is fertilized and implanted in your body — is also possible.
Other options exist as well. Our medical experts here at Southlake OB/GYN and Advanced Surgery pride ourselves on having the most up-to-date information on infertility and how we can help people who are suffering from it. If you are having difficulty conceiving or if you already suspect infertility, don’t hesitate. Call our office today and make an appointment so we can try to help.