You are planning to conceive for long and not getting results. This problem is very common now. I see at least 40 to 50 patients in a day coming to me for their infertility issues. This is because conception is process that calls for more trials before you finally succeed. You should know that there are some medical facts which keep coming on your way of getting pregnant.
According to ICMR Bulletin it is estimated that globally around 60 to 80 million couples suffer from infertility annually, of which probably between 15 to 20 million are in India alone.
When everything else fails and you think that the in vitro fertilization or IVF may be the only option for you to opt, but before considering anything know some facts that can hinder your chances of conception:
1. Abnormal Periods:
Abnormal or irregular periods is one sign that can point towards a woman’s infertility. A menstrual cycle that is too long (35 days or more) or too short (21 days or less) could indicate problems with ovulation.
What you can do: Sometimes a healthy diet, exercise and medication can regularise your periods and help you conceive. But first do consult a good doctor who can also prescribes few medicines and tells you the way to modify your lifestyle.
2. You age and decline in the number of healthy eggs has a direct relationship:
You are born with a fixed number of eggs. But the number gets declines as you age and so does the health of those eggs. According to The American Society of Reproductive Medicine, even a healthy and fertile 30-year-old woman’s chances of getting pregnant reduces by 20% with each passing month.
What you can do: Optimize the health of your eggs. To do so help yourself stay healthy, maintain a good optimal weight and give up your vices. Quit smoking and limit your alcohol intake while planning for a baby. Get in touch with a good fertility centre if you need help, and try to complete your family before 35 years of age without delaying the process to avoid future complications. In case you want to delay pregnancy and want to keep your eggs in good health till conception, you should probably try freezing your eggs for future use.
3. Your partner might have a problem/ Male infertility:
Remember your partner’s health plays a significant role in conception after yours. Male infertility is responsible for up to one-third of infertility cases. If your partner is overweight, an alcoholic or a smoker, it could be affecting your chances of getting pregnant. An infection or inflammation of the prostate glands might also stand to be a probable cause if you are not getting pregnant.
What you can do: Talk to your partner and be open about it but
in a gentle way. Convince him for a check-up or consultation, a physical examination and semen analysis might be necessary to check on your partner’s health status. Medications, intrauterine insemination IUI or IVF might be suggested depending on the problem. At home, encourage him to have lot of citrus fruits and anti-oxidant rich foods to boast fertility.
4. You might have PCOS:
If you have infrequent menstrual periods, increased growth of hair on face, chest and stomach, these are likely symptoms of PCOS which is also known as Polycystic ovary syndrome. It causes irregular menstrual cycles and an increase in male hormones, affects about 5 to 10 percent of women and is one of the most common reasons for women not to ovulate. Also being overweight, alcoholic or having a thyroid imbalance also affect your ovulation.
What you can do: Maintain and sustain a healthy body weight, this is one of the best ways to improve your fertility. If you know you don’t ovulate get in touch with an infertility specialist for it. Get screened for PCOD to rule out other medical conditions before you opt for a treatment.
5. Blocked fallopian tubes:
When the fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged then infertility occurs. Tubal factor infertility can be caused by a previous surgery, endometriosis or an STD. Sexually transmitted diseases, especially Chlamydia, years later will contribute to tubal factor infertility.
What you can do: Make sure that the tubes are open, otherwise there’s no way for sperm and egg to communicate. Your doctor can screen well for tubal factor with an x-ray and if the tubes are blocked, IVF is the best treatment. A timely IVF treatment and a detailed consultation with your IVF specialist is the only way that can help you to deal with the issues of conception and help you getting pregnant as soon as you want.