Infertility
Infertility is the inability of a couple to achieve a pregnancy after repeated intercourse without contraception for 1 year.
Frequent intercourse without birth control usually results in pregnancy:
To maximize the chance of pregnancy, couples should have frequent intercourse for the few days when egg release (ovulation) is most likely—the time when women are most likely to become pregnant. Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, which is about halfway between the first day of two periods. There are two methods women can use to estimate when ovulation occurs:
The cause of infertility may be due to problems in the man, the woman, or both:
Thus, the diagnosis of infertility problems requires a thorough assessment of both partners. Usually, the assessment is done after at least 1 year of trying to achieve a pregnancy. However, it is done sooner if:
Age is a factor, especially for women. As women age, becoming pregnant becomes more difficult, and the risk of complications during pregnancy increases. Also, women, particularly after age 35, have a limited time to resolve infertility problems before menopause.
Of the couples who have not conceived after a year of trying, more than 60% conceive eventually, with or without treatment. The goals of treatment are to treat the cause of infertility if possible, to make conception more likely, and to reduce the time needed to conceive.
Other health related factors that can cause infertility include:
If you are experiencing infertility, please contact Dr. Linda Gedeon for proper evaluation and to discuss the best treatment options for you.
Frequent intercourse without birth control usually results in pregnancy:
- For 50% of couples within 3 months
- For 75% within 6 months
- For 90% within 1 year
To maximize the chance of pregnancy, couples should have frequent intercourse for the few days when egg release (ovulation) is most likely—the time when women are most likely to become pregnant. Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, which is about halfway between the first day of two periods. There are two methods women can use to estimate when ovulation occurs:
- Measurement of body temperature at rest (basal body temperature)
- Home ovulation predictor kits
The cause of infertility may be due to problems in the man, the woman, or both:
- Problems with sperm (in 35% or more of couples)
- Problems with ovulation (in 20%)
- Problems with the fallopian tubes in the pelvis (in 30%)
- Problems with mucus in the cervix (in 5% or fewer)
- Unidentified factors (in 10%)
Thus, the diagnosis of infertility problems requires a thorough assessment of both partners. Usually, the assessment is done after at least 1 year of trying to achieve a pregnancy. However, it is done sooner if:
- The woman is over 35.
- The woman's menstrual periods occur infrequently.
- The woman has an abnormality of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries.
- Doctors have identified or suspect problems with sperm in the man.
Age is a factor, especially for women. As women age, becoming pregnant becomes more difficult, and the risk of complications during pregnancy increases. Also, women, particularly after age 35, have a limited time to resolve infertility problems before menopause.
Of the couples who have not conceived after a year of trying, more than 60% conceive eventually, with or without treatment. The goals of treatment are to treat the cause of infertility if possible, to make conception more likely, and to reduce the time needed to conceive.
Other health related factors that can cause infertility include:
- Hormonal imbalance
- Thyroid imbalance
- Nutritional deficiencies/poor diet
- PCOS
- Endometriosis
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Autoimmune conditions
- Smoking/alcoholism
- Cancer and chemotherapy
- Heavy exposure to radiation and environmental toxins
- Very low body weight
If you are experiencing infertility, please contact Dr. Linda Gedeon for proper evaluation and to discuss the best treatment options for you.
