DENVER — Sunday marked the start of National Infertility Awareness Week. ( April 21 to 27) Infertility affects nearly one in 10 couples who are trying to conceive. It can be a difficult time for so many women and men who are trying to have a child.
What is infertility?
Infertility is defined as a woman not being able to get pregnant or stay pregnant after one year of trying. For women over 35 years old, the time period is shortened to six months or more for trying to get pregnant.
Pregnancy occurs when the woman releases an egg from her ovary (ovulation). The egg travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus. The man’s sperm fertilizes the egg, and then the fertilized egg attaches to the woman’s uterus. Any problems along the way can cause infertility. About one-third of the time infertility is caused by the woman, one-third of the time by the man, and one-third of the time the cause is unknown.
Who is at risk for infertility?
There are many reasons why women and men may be at risk for infertility. Here are some of the most common reasons for both women and men:
Women
- Age 35 older
- Hormonal imbalances
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol use
- Being overweight or too thin
- Not having periods due to physical or emotional stress
- History of sexually transmitted diseases
Men
- Age 40 year or older
- Smoking, alcohol, marijuana use
- Frequent hot temperature exposure
- Testosterone exposure
- Radiation
- Certain Medications
- History of sexually transmitted diseases
How do doctors treat infertility?
The first and most important step is trying to find out if there is a physical cause for the woman or the man. This includes blood tests to look for hormone imbalances, blood clotting issues or physical problems. If there is a physical or structural problem, doctors may choose to give medications to increase the numbers of eggs that are produced, or surgical procedures if there is a blocked fallopian tube for example. If these do not help, couples can choose to try assisted therapies like harvesting the women’s embryos, fertilizing them outside of the body, and then implanting them in the uterus.
It can be very challenging for couples who are trying to have a child. Where can they go for resources?
It’s important to remember you are not alone. And, as more and more people are choosing to have children later in life, this is much more common than most people realize. It is so important to reach out to others, be very open with your partner during this stressful process, and recognize that getting pregnant can have a physical, emotional and financial toll. There are many resources available online, through support groups, and of course, being there for your partner through the ups and downs.
Follow 9NEWS Medical Expert Dr. Comilla Sasson on Facebook and Twitter. Have a medical question or health topic idea? Email Dr. Comilla at comilla.sasson@9news.com
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