HealthyLife Articles

Tag: infertility

  • Infertility: When To See A Doctor

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Young couple talking to doctor.

    It is not uncommon for some couples to have trouble conceiving. If a couple has been trying for one year without success, they are said to be dealing with infertility.

    While infertility may be common, it is not hopeless. Many effective treatments are available. Knowing when to talk to your doctor about fertility can help you get closer to your goal of getting pregnant.

    What causes infertility?

    Infertility is not just a woman’s issue. It can affect one or both partners.

    Men require healthy sperm to be fertile. Anything that impacts the number, shape, and movement of sperm may cause infertility. These may include:

    *  Unhealthy habits

    *  Trauma to the testes

    *  Certain medications or supplements

    *  Cancer treatment

    *  Medical conditions

    Women need functioning ovaries, fallopian tubes, and a uterus to get pregnant. A condition that affects any one of these organs can cause infertility issues. These may include:

    *  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

    *  Diminished ovarian reserve

    *  Blocked fallopian tubes

    *  Menopause

    *  Abnormal uterine shape

    When to see a doctor

    Every couple should talk to their doctor to let them know they are trying to get pregnant. Your doctor may have specific recommendations and screenings that would be of benefit.

    Some couples may be at a higher risk of infertility. If you have any of the following risk factors, you should talk to your doctor right away when trying to conceive:

    *  Irregular or no menstrual periods

    *  Painful periods

    *  Endometriosis

    *  Pelvic inflammatory disease

    *  History of miscarriage

    *  Any suspected male factors, such as cancer treatment, history of teste trauma, etc.

    Women over the age of 30 may experience age-related declines in fertility. Once a woman is over 35, infertility becomes more common. While this doesn’t mean someone at that age will not be able to conceive, it does mean you should talk to your doctor sooner if you do not become pregnant.

    Any couple who has been trying to conceive for one year without success should talk to their doctor. Couples over the age of 35 should talk to their doctor after six months of trying.

    Your doctor may refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist who specializes in infertility. Never hesitate to talk with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about yourself or your partner’s fertility.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Reversing Male Infertility

    Men’s Health

    Image of male doctor.

    If a man has been unsuccessful at fathering a child, he’ll probably be checked for two kinds of problems: low sperm count (too few sperm per given volume of semen) and poor sperm motility (sperm that are poor swimmers and have trouble fertilizing an egg).

    Factors that can reduce fertility in men include:

    *  Extreme overweight.

    *  Heavy smoking. (Smoking has been associated with low sperm count and poor sperm motility.)

    *  Drug and alcohol use. (Marijuana and alcohol lower production of testosterone, a hormone produced by the testicles.)

    *  Wearing tight, restrictive underwear. (Clothing that holds the testicles too close to the body heats them up and thus interferes with sperm production, which is temperature sensitive.)

    *  Work that requires you to sit for long periods of time (for reasons similar to those above).

    *  Frequent use of saunas or hot tubs.

    *  Prolonged occupational exposure to lead, zinc, copper, or radiation. (Pollutants can disrupt the production, quality, and transportation of sperm.)

    *  Prolonged abstinence from sex.

    *  Use of lubricants, such as petroleum jelly and K-Y brand jelly, which can kill or immobilize sperm.

    *  Infection or other illness. (These hamper the testicles’ ability to do their job.)

    *  A varicocele (a congenital defect in the blood vessels to the testes).

    For many men, restoring fertility is simply a matter of switching to boxer shorts, quitting smoking, losing weight, or making other adjustments. Be patient, though. It may take two or three months to restore fertility. If your partner still doesn’t conceive, see a doctor who specializes in treating infertility.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine