Female infertility & assisted reproductive technology !

INTRODUCTION: If you are concerned about your fertility, the first thing to understand is that you are not alone. Up to one in six couples worldwide have difficulty conceiving in the first 12 months of trying. It is also important to recognize that becoming pregnant is not that easy for everyone. Many couples believe that once they stop taking precautionary measures, they will fall pregnant very quickly. In reality, there is only a fairly short time each month with in the menstrual cycle when conception is possible.

What Is Infertility?

The term ‘Infertility ‘is used when the ability to become pregnant is diminished or absent. It does not mean that you are unable to have children but that you may require treatment or assistance to achieve a pregnancy. The term is generally used if a couple has not conceived after 12 months of regular unprotected close relation, or after six months for women aged over 35 .’There are two types of infertility .The first is known as primary infertility and this is where a couple has never achieved a pregnancy. Secondary infertility is where a couple is unable to conceive after they have already had a pregnancy or child.

While the rate of infertility has not increased in recent years, we are now more aware of the issue as more and more women and men seek treatment. In really, about one in six couples have trouble conceiving and about half of these couples will require medical assistance to overcome this problem.

Many couples who have difficulty conceiving may have a specific medical condition hindering the woman’s ability to become pregnant. In 40%of cases the issue is attributable to the female, while in 40% of cases the issue is traced back to the male. In the rest of the cases, fertility problems are linked to both partners, resulting in both requiring some form of treatment, or remains unexplained, even after exhaustive testing.

If after a year of trying, you have had trouble conceiving, if you are a women aged over 35, it is best to seek medical help after six months. Your doctor will probably want to run some tests, discuss your lifestyle and refer you to a fertility specialist or fertility clinic.

OVULATION INDUCTION (OI)

INTRODUCTION: Sometimes women don’t ovulate (release an egg form an ovary each month) or ovulate irregularly, which interferes with their ability to become pregnant. There are many reasons for why this can happen- stress, weight issues, over –exercise, hormonal imbalances or problems with you reproductive system. Sometimes there is no real explanation. It can be a temporary issue or a long – term one.

Ovulation induction is the term for the use of medical therapy to treat women who do not ovulate by themselves. Hormonal medications are used to stimulate the ovaries or egg sacs in order to produce an egg, which can then be fertilized by the male’s sperm.

THE LINK BETWEEN INFERTILITY AND OVULATION

The term’ infertility’ is used when the ability to become pregnant is diminished or absent . ‘sub fertility’ is a more appropriate term because it does not mean that you are unable to have children but that you may require treatment or assistance to achieve a pregnancy . The term infertility is generally used if a couple has not conceived after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse.Fertility is age-dependent and so any woman over the age of 35 who is trying to become pregnant should see their doctor after six months. About one in six couples have trouble conceiving and about half of these couples will require medical assistance to overcome this problem.

Causes of female infertility include:

Older age (>35)

Poly cystic ovary syndrome

No ovulation or irregular ovulation

Lifestyle factors

Smoking ,being overweight or underweight,drug use ,always tired)

Blocked Fallopian tubes

Endometriosis

Fibroid (non-cancerous growth of the muscle in the uterus)

Problems of the cervix such as mucus hostility.

Managing the stress of infertility !

INTRODUCTION: Being diagnosed with infertility can be an extremely confronting and challenging experience. People often talk about the ‘roller coaster’, or ups and downs of emotions associated with infertility. It is extremely normal for you and partner to feel stressed about what is often considered a life crisis. However, there are some important points to keep in mind when you are feeling overwhelmed.

Being diagnosed with infertility

“Diagnosing infertility is all about what isn’t happening, and it is hard to know what to feel.”-Karen

Everyone reacts to the diagnosis of infertility differently and it is normal to ask ‘why me? And to feel sad angry, worried or just totally shocked. However, for most people, it is the strength of the emotional impact that often takes them by surprise.

In reaction to a diagnosis of infertility, you may experience a number of emotions such as:

Shock, surprise or denial – a sense that the diagnosis is not really true. This can also be described as feeling numb or not knowing what to do.

Anger and frustration – this can be expressed as ‘Why is this happening to me?’

Anxiety, fear or panic – all thoughts are very confused.

Isolation – feeling different from others and feeling out of touch with your partner.

Sense of loss- there are many aspects of grief covering loss of pregnancy, loss of motherhood and fatherhood. These can continue through all stages of infertility.

The way you react and cope with your emotions will be influenced by many things such as:

• how you interpret the situation

• how you have responded to past stress

• other events that are also happening in your life

• What type and level of support you have.

While all of your emotions are perfectly normal in the face of such a major life crisis, it is important that you do not let these feelings go on for too long or allow them to negatively affect how you manage and cope with everyday life. Learning to recognize and manage your emotional feelings about infertility is as crucial as after yourself physically.