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 keep 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 reduce 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.