The Basics Of Treating Infertility
The time when you're trying to conceive should be an exciting time for you and your partner. But when time goes by without any sign of success, it can become a little scary wondering why your efforts aren't paying off. Eventually, you may begin to have concerns about your and your partner's fertility. About one couple in every eight has difficulty conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term. Take a look at some of the things you ought to know about exploring infertility treatments.
Testing
Before any discussion of treatment can happen, your doctor will want to do some testing. It's entirely possible that you have no fertility problems, and that nature is just taking its time. But you won't know that until you see the results of your tests.
Ideally, both partners should undergo testing. Women will need to have a full pelvic exam and Pap test, blood tests to check hormone levels, an ultrasound to check follicles, which are the sacs in the ovaries that release eggs, and an X-ray to check the condition of the uterus and fallopian tubes. Men will need a physical exam and a semen analysis.
Natural Treatments
Even if the testing shows fertility problems, you may not need to go straight to complicated medical procedures to solve the problem. Some fertility issues can be resolved by natural means.
For example, one common cause of infertility is an imbalance in your follicle stimulating hormones, the hormones that stimulate the production of eggs in women and sperm in men. Sometimes, such an imbalance can be resolved by losing weight or making changes in your diet. Being underweight or overweight can throw off hormone levels, and bringing your weight closer to the ideal range can also bring your hormones back into balance. A diet that's deficient in essential fatty acids, like omega-3s, can leave your body without the tools it needs to produce the proper amount of hormones, so including those fatty acids in your diet can help your body produce follicle stimulating hormones properly.
Medical Treatments
If the fertility problems are more severe, or if natural methods are ineffective, there is still hope that you can conceive. Fertility medicine has advanced rapidly in recent years, and there are many different options that doctors can use to help you conceive.
You may be prescribed medications that regulate or supplement hormones. Sperm or egg donations can be used if one or both partners can't produce them on their own. Surgery to remove scar tissue, cysts, or fibroids can make conception possible. And of course, there's the option of in vitro fertilization, which is one of the best-known forms of fertility treatments.
It can be upsetting to experience difficulty conceiving, but try not to panic – there are many paths to helping a couple conceive. Start by making an appointment with a fertility doctor in your area for testing and diagnosis.
For more information, talk to a company like Missouri Center for Reproductive Medicine.