Infertility (patient information): Difference between revisions

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*As many as 1 in 5 couples diagnosed with infertility eventually become pregnant without treatment.
*As many as 1 in 5 couples diagnosed with infertility eventually become pregnant without treatment.


*More than half of couples with infertility become pregnant after treatment, not including advanced techniques such as [[in vitro fertiliziation]] (IVF).
*More than half of couples with infertility become pregnant after treatment, not including advanced techniques such as in vitro fertiliziation ([[IVF]]).


==Possible complications==
==Possible complications==

Revision as of 12:28, 28 May 2013

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Infertility

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Infertility?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Prevention

Infertility On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Infertility

Videos on Infertility

FDA on Infertility

CDC on Infertility

Infertility in the news

Blogs on Infertility

Directions to Hospitals Treating Infertility

Risk calculators and risk factors for Infertility

Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.

Overview

  • Infertility means you cannot make a baby (conceive).
  • Infertility is grouped into two categories:
  • Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become pregnant after at least 1 year of unprotected sex (intercourse).
  • Secondary infertility refers to couples who have been pregnant at least once, but never again.

What are the symptoms of Infertility?

  • The main symptom of infertility is the inability to become pregnant. Specific symptoms depend on what is causing the infertility.
  • Infertility can cause many painful emotions in one or both partners.

What causes Infertility?

  • A wide range of physical and emotional factors can cause infertility. Infertility may be due to problems in the woman, man, or both.

FEMALE INFERTILITY:

  • Female infertility may occur when:
  • A fertilized egg or embryo does not survive once it sticks to the lining of the womb (uterus)
  • The fertilized egg does not attach to the lining of the uterus
  • The eggs cannot move from the ovaries to the womb
  • The ovaries have problems producing eggs
  • Female infertility may be caused by:

MALE INFERTILITY:

  • Male infertility may be due to:
  • A decrease in sperm count
  • Sperm being blocked from being released
  • Sperm that do not work properly
  • Male infertility can be caused by:
  • In healthy couples under age 30 who have sex regularly, the chance of getting pregnant is about 25 - 30% per month.
  • A woman's peak fertility occurs in her early 20s. After age 35 (and especially 40), the chances that a woman can get pregnant drops considerably.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are unable to get pregnant.

Diagnosis

  • When you should seek treatment for infertility depends on your age. It is recommended that women under 30 should generally try to get pregnant on their own for 1 year before seeking testing.
  • Infertility testing involves a complete medical history and physical examination of both partners.
  • Blood and imaging tests will be done.
  • In women, this may include:
  • Tests in men may include:

Treatment options

  • Treatment depends on the cause of infertility.
  • It may involve:
  • Education and counseling
  • Fertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF)
  • Medicines to treat infections and clotting disorders
  • Medicines that help the woman grow and release eggs from the ovaries
  • It is important to recognize and discuss the emotional impact that infertility has on you and your partner, and to seek medical advice from your health care provider.
  • You can increase your chances of becoming pregnant each month by having sex at least every 3 days before and during ovulation. It is especially important to do so 72 hours before ovulation begins.
  • Ovulation occurs about 2 weeks before the next menstrual cycle (period) starts. If a woman gets her period every 28 days, the couple should have sex at least every 3 days between the 10th and 18th day after the period starts.

Where to find medical care for Infertility?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Infertility

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

  • As many as 1 in 5 couples diagnosed with infertility eventually become pregnant without treatment.
  • More than half of couples with infertility become pregnant after treatment, not including advanced techniques such as in vitro fertiliziation (IVF).

Possible complications

  • Infertility can have a big emotional impact on you and your partner.
  • Depression, anxiety, and marriage problems may occur.

Prevention

  • Maintaining a healthy diet, weight, and lifestyle may increase your chances for getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy.
  • Take a prenatal or multivitamin containing folate before and during pregnancy. This lowers your risk for miscarriage and developmental problems in the baby.

Support groups

Source

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001191.htm

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