This article is not to be taken as medical advice.
Infertility affects both men and women. It is defined as being unable to conceive naturally, and there are many different causes. If you’re having difficulty getting pregnant, hopefully, this guide will prove useful.
Am I infertile?
Many couples dream of having children. If you don’t conceive quickly, you may jump to conclusions and assume that your dreams will never come true. The reality is that every couple is different. Some women will fall pregnant after a very short period of time. Others will take much longer. If you are struggling to conceive, try not to panic and don’t blame yourself or your partner. There may be a very simple reason, and you shouldn’t give up. See your doctor if you’ve been trying for a year without any success.
Failure to conceive naturally may occur simply because you’re not having intercourse at the right times. If it’s taking a little longer than you hoped, it may be a good idea to use an ovulation tracker. This will help you to determine when you’re at your most fertile.
If you think you may be infertile, it’s best to see your doctor. They will carry out a basic assessment and then refer you for further tests. The results of these tests will enable the professionals to make a diagnosis. In many cases, there may be a treatable cause. If there isn’t, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be able to have children.
What are the causes of infertility?
There are many possible female fertility. You become less fertile as you get older. Lifestyle factors, such as being overweight, smoking and drinking can also cause infertility in both sexes.
In males, most cases of infertility are linked to abnormalities, which affect the sperm. A low sperm count and inactive sperm can result in infertility.
In around a quarter of cases, no clear cause can be identified.
Treatment options
It’s not possible for all couples to conceive naturally. But this doesn’t mean that you have to give up your dream of becoming a parent. There are various options available to those who have problems with fertility. Treatments may include fertility drugs, surgery to correct structural issues and IVF. You may also wish to consider surrogacy or adoption. There’s a lot to think about, and it may take you some time to get your head around the test results. Don’t rush, and give yourself time to process all the information and weigh up your options. Fertility treatment can be a long and exhausting process, and it’s best to find out as much as possible before you make a decision.
Infertility is something most of us assume we’ll never have to deal with. But it is a possibility we may have to come to terms with. If you’re struggling to conceive, see your doctor. If there are problems, it may be possible to find a solution. If no treatment options are viable, there are other paths you can take.
PCOS is also a cause and there's not really a way to test for it.
It's hard for couples struggling with this. So sad! 🙁