What is Infertility
Causes of Infertility
It is estimated that one in six couples faces difficulties conceiving. If you have been having regular unprotected sex for more than six months and are still not pregnant then you may need to see a fertility specialist.
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
A pregnancy loss is a devastating and heartbreaking experience with physical and emotional ramifications that are often poorly tolerated. The loss of a baby – no matter how early in pregnancy – is real, and so is the grief that comes with it. If you have ever rejoiced over a positive pregnancy test only to be coping with pregnancy loss weeks, or even months, later, you’re acutely, painfully aware of what’s happened. Regardless of whether the first sign of the loss of a baby was slight spotting or heavy bleeding, the end of pregnancy symptoms, or no sign of a heartbeat on an ultrasound, a loss during pregnancy will affect you profoundly, often leaving you feeling depressed, deeply sad, angry, confused, and alone.
Semen Analysis
A semen analysis measures the amount of semen a man produces and determines the number and quality of sperm in the semen sample. A semen analysis is usually one of the first tests done to help determine whether a man has infertility problems. Problems with the semen or sperm affects more than one-third of infertile couples.
Female Infertility
If you are concerned about your fertility, the first thing to understand is that you are not alone. Up to one in six couples worldwide have difficulty conceiving in the first 12 months of trying. It is also important to recognise that becoming pregnant is not that easy for everyone. Many couples believe that once they stop taking precautionary measures, they will fall pregnant very quickly. In reality, there is only a fairly short time each month within the menstrual cycle when conception is possible.
Previous Sterilisation
Tubal Ligation
Tubal ligation has been a popular form of permanent contraception preferred by many couples. The procedure is meant to be permanent and most women enter into the decision with a sincere intention to prevent additional pregnancies. But life is full of surprises. Circumstances change, relationships change and family-building goals may change accordingly. It is not uncommon for women who have undergone sterilisation by tubal ligation to discover that they desire to have their fertility restored.
Male Infertility
Fertility Fact: Infertility affects men and women equally. About one-third of infertility cases are due to the woman; one-third are due to the man; and the remaining one-third are due to a combination of male and female factor issues.
Pregnancy rates and age
The relationship between age and female fertility is popularly referred to as a woman’s “biological clock”; when a woman reaches an age where fertility is commonly understood to drop, it can be said that her “biological clock is ticking.