Are you
planning to conceive? But failed it despite trying many times. 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 keeps coming on your
way of getting pregnant.
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
according to an ICMR Bulletin. 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:
Decline in
the number of healthy eggs:
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. The ugly truth is that consumption of
fertility drugs, without any
consultation with an expert, further decreases the
numbers and aren’t of much help. 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.
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. Never take drugs for egg
formation unless you are undergoing an IVF treatment. 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.
Your partner
might have a problem:
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.
You are not
ovulating:
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.
Endometriosis
an underlying medical condition:
Endometriosis
is a common disorder that has emotional consequences for women. This disorder
is currently affecting about 89 million young women in the reproductive age
group worldwide, out of which 25 million are Indian women. It causes the lining
of the uterine cavity to appear in the abdominal cavity, which can cause
painful periods, heavy bleeding, and infertility in 30 to 50 percent of women.
You can say that it is the main reason for stomach pain and inability to
conceive in women between 25 to 30 years of age.
What you can
do: Getting pregnant is a challenge when you are suffering from endometriosis,
so seek treatment as soon as you plan to get pregnant. Young women with
endometriosis who want to conceive may require specialized treatments like IUI
or IVF.
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.
