If you are experiencing challenges with conception even after one year of attempting – then there may be the possibility of primary infertility in you or your partner (or maybe both of you). In this blog post, ivf specialist in ludhiana aims to inform you about most common aspects of a primary infertility issue, such as – its causes & your potential treatment options. So without further a delay, let’s get started!
What is Infertility?
If you are facing an inability to conceive your baby, then this condition is known as infertility. It generally happens when a woman is unable to become pregnant after 1+ years of attempting to conceive. You may be surprised to know that women who are able to conceive but further struggle to maintain their pregnancy may also fall in this category. The process of experiencing pregnancy typically involves several steps, including:
- Ovulation
- Release of an egg from the ovary
- Egg’s journey through the fallopian tube to the uterus
- Fertilization of the egg by sperm
- Implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus.
Any disruptions in these steps can lead to infertility.
Many people assume that fertility is just a woman’s problem. But it is not the right aspect. Infertility can affect both women and men in various ways.
What are the Causes of Infertility?
Male Infertility Causes:-
Common factors that can contribute to infertility in men are as follows:-
- Abnormal sperm production.
- Genetic defects.
- Pre-existing health issues.
- Sexually transmitted infections such as HIV.
- Diseases like diabetes, mumps etc.
- Genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis.
- Premature ejaculation.
- Exposure to pesticides and chemicals.
- Excessive use of tobacco, alcohol, or recreational drugs.
- Physical injuries to the reproductive organs.
Female infertility Causes:-
The following are the causes that affect female fertility:-
- Presence of irregular ovulation in women
- Hormonal imbalances like PCOS, hypothyroidism, and hyperprolactinemia
- Deformed cervix opening
- Uterine abnormalities
- Blocked fallopian tube
- Uterine fibroids
- Pelvic adhesions
- Scar tissue from abdominal surgery
- Growth of endometriosis cells around the uterus
- Chronic diseases
- Being underweight or overweight
Signs and Symptoms of Infertility in Men:-
Issues related to sexual function such as challenges with ejaculation, low ejaculate volumes, decreased libido, or trouble sustaining an erection (erectile dysfunction) may arise. Following are some of the more signs of infertility in males:-
- Pain or swelling in the testicle.
- Lower sperm count.
- Decreased body hair.
- Hormonal abnormality.
Signs and Symptoms of Infertility in Women:-
The primary indicator of infertility is the inability to conceive after six months or one year of consistent, unprotected intercourse. It is possible to not exhibit any additional symptoms; however, some individuals may experience physical signs such as:
- Abnormal, Irregular or no periods.
- Painful periods.
- Skin problems including acne.
- Changes in sex desire.
- Weight gain
- Hair growth on face, chest and chin.
- Pain during intercourse.
- Presence of milky white discharge from the nipples, not associated with breastfeeding, is observed.
Diagnosis of Infertility:
Physicians will conduct an infertility evaluation, which includes a physical examination and a thorough review of the health and sexual histories of both partners. In some cases, this process may identify the issue but in maximum cases additional testing is often necessary to pinpoint the cause.
When evaluating male fertility, doctors do a semen analysis, examining sperm count, shape, and size. Occasionally, hormone levels may also be assessed by the doctor.
In female individuals, the initial step is to determine if ovulation occurs every month. Various methods are available for achieving this. A woman can monitor ovulation from the comfort of their own home by:
- Recording fluctuations in her morning body temperature over several months.
- Documenting the appearance of her cervical mucus for several months.
- Use a home ovulation test kit.
Other than this a healthcare provider will do the following tests:-
- Physical Examination
- Pelvic examination
- Blood tests
- X-ray hysterosalpingogram
- Laparoscopy
- Transvaginal ultrasound
- Hysteroscopy
- Saline sonohysterogram
Treatment Options for infertility:-
Factors such as age, duration of attempts to conceive, and personal preferences play a pivotal role in selecting a suitable treatment plan. In certain instances, treatment may be required for one partner, while sometimes, both partners may need to undergo treatment.
Individuals and couples facing infertility typically have a favorable likelihood of achieving pregnancy through medication, surgical procedures, or assisted reproductive technology (ART). Lifestyle modifications and optimizing the timing and frequency of intercourse can also enhance the probability of conception. A comprehensive treatment approach may involve a combination of these strategies.
- In vitro Fertilization:- Most of the couples choose IVF in case of infertility. In vitro fertilization (IVF) the union of sperm and egg takes place outside the human body. This process includes the extraction of eggs from the ovaries and their manual fertilization with sperm in a laboratory setting. Subsequently, the fertilized egg is carefully implanted into the uterus several days later by the our ivf specialist in ludhiana.
- Intrauterine Insemination:- In the case of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), sperm is carefully collected and concentrated to ensure only the highest quality sperm are used. This processed sperm is inserted directly into the uterus. This will increase the chance of successful conception. IUI procedures can involve either the use of the partner’s sperm or the donor’s sperm. In some cases, fertility drugs may be prescribed to women so that the egg that is stimulated will release during ovulation.
Other Options
Your other few options for fertility may include the following:
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection
- Assisted Hatching
- Surrogacy
However, these options are not popular in India that’s why people go with the two options as mentioned earlier.
Wrapping Up:
Take the initial step towards your parenthood journey with Dr. Shivani Bhutani, ivf specialist in ludhiana. Schedule your consultation now and increase the possibility of expanding your family without any stress.
