Most people want to start a family and have children. However, various health complications make some patients infertile and unable to become parents. Understanding the likely causes of infertility can help you seek appropriate treatment to help you build a family. Your doctor may also recommend various treatment options for infertility Lake Mary to help you and your partner achieve your goals of being parents.
What are the risk factors for infertility in men and women?
Although infertility may be innate in some patients, certain circumstances interfere with your reproductive health decreasing your chances of getting a child. The following are the most common risk factors of infertility:
- Age: Men’s ability to father children declines after 40. Women above 40 experience premenopause, which limits their chances of getting pregnant.
- Diabetes: This chronic condition is a risk factor for many health complications, including infertility.
- Eating disorders: Anorexic and bulimic patients are not within healthy weight to support fertility.
- Excessive alcohol use: Drugs like alcohol destroy important reproductive cells, thus influencing the fertility status of men and women.
- Exposure to environmental toxins
- Stress: Mental health is crucial in controlling the production of reproductive hormones.
- Radiation therapy or other cancer treatments may destroy reproductive cells and limit your chances of getting a child.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Smoking: Excess tobacco consumption destroys critical cells supporting your reproductive health.
What factors make women infertile?
The following health conditions predispose women to infertility:
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Kidney disease
- Sickle cell anemia
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- Pelvic inflammation
- Thyroid disease
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ovarian cysts, and primary ovarian insufficiency.
- Sickle cell anemia.
- Endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and uterine polyps.
- Thyroid disease.
Are there risk factors for male infertility?
The most common risk factors for male infertility include the following:
- Enlarged testicles
- Hypogonadism
- Premature ejaculation
- Overusing anabolic steroids
- Injury to the scrotum or testicles
How do doctors diagnose infertility in women?
The following tests can detect the cause of infertility in women:
· Pelvic exam to detect reproductive structural complications and presence of disease.
· Blood tests detect abnormal hormone levels.
· Transvaginal ultrasounds involve inserting an ultrasound wand through the vagina to check for reproductive complications.
· Hysteroscopy to check for uterine problems.
· Saline sonohysterogram (SIS)
· Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)to detect fallopian tube blockages.
· Laparoscopy
How do doctors test male infertility?
Effective ways of diagnosing male infertility include:
- Semen analysis to check for sperm problems like low sperm count and poor mobility.
- Blood tests detect hormone levels and chromosomal genetic abnormalities.
- Scrotal ultrasound to identify testicular complications.
What are the most popular infertility treatment options for all genders?
Consider the following treatment options if you are infertile but want to have kids:
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): Placing sperm directly into the uterus to enhance the chances for fertilization.
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI):
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) is assisted reproductive technology involving harvesting ova and fertilizing them with sperm in a lab.
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- Third-party ART, which involves using donor sperm and donor eggs.
The infertility treatment options available depend on various factors like cost. Moreover, patient-centeredness is necessary to ensure a successful pregnancy. Contact Christopher Quinsey, MD, to discuss your infertility treatment options.
