Male & Female InfertilityMale Infertility
Secondary infertility describes couples who have been pregnant at least once, but have not been able to become pregnant again. Male infertility may be due to:
Male infertility can be caused by:
In healthy couples both under age 30, having sex regularly, the chance of getting pregnant is only 25 - 30% per month. A woman's peak fertility occurs in her early 20s. As a woman ages beyond 35 (and especially after age 40), the likelihood of getting pregnant drops to less than 10% per month. When to seek help for infertility depends on your age. For women under age 30, it is generally recommended to try to conceive for at least a year before seeking testing. SymptomsExperiencing infertility can bring on a range of painful emotions in one or both members of the couple. In general, having at least one child already tends to soften these painful emotions. Exams and TestsA complete medical history and physical examination of both partners is essential. For men:
TreatmentBy having sexual intercourse at least every 3 days in the weeks leading up to and through the expected time of ovulation in your partner. Ovulation occurs about 2 weeks before the next period starts. So, if you get your period every 28 days, you should have sexual intercourse at least every 3 days between the 7th and 18th day after you get your period. Treatment depends on the cause of infertility. It may involve:
It is important to recognize and discuss the emotional impact that infertility has on you and your partner, and to seek medical advice from your health care provider. OutlookA cause can be determined for about 80 - 85% of infertile couples. Getting the right therapy (not including advanced techniques such as in vitro fertilization) allows pregnancy to occur in 50 - 60% of couples who were infertile. Without any treatment, 15 - 20% of couples diagnosed as infertile will eventually become pregnant. PreventionBecause sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) often cause infertility, practicing safer sex behaviors may minimize the risk. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are the two most common causes of STD-related infertility. STDs often don't have symptoms at first, until PID or salpingitis develops. These conditions scar the fallopian tubes and lead to decreased fertility, infertility, or an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. Getting a mumps vaccine in men has been shown to prevent mumps and its complication, orchitis. The vaccine prevents mumps-related sterility. Some forms of birth control, such as the intrauterine device (IUD), carry a risk for pelvic infection, especially in women with more than one sex partner and when sexually transmitted diseases occur. Maintain a healthy diet, weight, and lifestyle to optimize your chances for getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy. Remember to take either prenatal or multivitamins containing folate while you are trying to become pregnant to decrease your risk for miscarriage and fetal abnormalities. Female InfertilityInfertility means not being able to become pregnant after a year of trying. If a woman keeps having miscarriages, it is also called infertility. Lots of couples have infertility problems. About a third of the time, infertility can be traced to the woman. In another third of cases, it is because of the man. The rest of the time, it is because of both partners or no cause is found. If you think you might be infertile, tell your doctor. For a man, a first step is often a sperm test. For women, doctors run tests to see if their ovaries work properly. Women in their 30s who have been trying to get pregnant for six months should consider seeking help. A woman's chances of having a baby drop rapidly every year after age 30. Drugs or surgery are common treatments. Happily, two-thirds of couples treated for infertility go on to have babies. CausesCauses of infertility include a wide range of both physical and emotional factors. A couple's infertility may be due to female factors, male factors, or both: Female infertility may be due to:
Female infertility may be caused by:
In healthy couples both under age 30, having sex regularly, the chance of getting pregnant is only 25 - 30% per month. A woman's peak fertility occurs in her early 20s. As a woman ages beyond 35 (and especially after age 40), the likelihood of getting pregnant drops to less than 10% per month. When to seek help for infertility depends on your age. For women under age 30, it is generally recommended to try to conceive for at least a year before seeking testing. SymptomsThe physical symptom of infertility is the inability to become pregnant. Experiencing infertility can bring on a range of painful emotions in one or both members of the couple. In general, having at least one child already tends to soften these painful emotions. Exams and TestsA complete medical history and physical examination of both partners is essential. Tests in women may include:
TreatmentIncrease your chance of becoming pregnant each month by having sexual intercourse at least every 3 days in the weeks leading up to and through the expected time of ovulation. Ovulation occurs about 2 weeks before the next period starts. So, if you get your period every 28 days, you should have sexual intercourse at least every 3 days between the 10th and 18th day after you get your period, and concentrating on the 72 hours before ovulation occurs. Treatment depends on the cause of infertility. It may involve:
It is important to recognize and discuss the emotional impact that infertility has on you and your partner, and to seek medical advice from your health care provider.
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Primary infertility describes couples who have never been able to become pregnant after at least 1 year of unprotected sex (intercourse).
