Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive even after one year of unprotected intercourse. It is a disease of the male or female reproductive system.
Causes Of Infertility
So if the couple wants to have a child why not have it get treated! Infertility treatment is not stringent to only IVF. It consists of evaluation of both partners, there history examination and then evaluating the causes. The most common cause of infertility in couples in urban population is not having timely intercourse because of there long working hours, mismatched working hours, tiredness, etc. So in such cases counselling the couple and timely intercourse can give them the happy news!
Apart from that age is another important issue as female fertility begins to decline after age 27 and accelerates after 37 , hence reduction in number of oocytes. In males the fertility reduction is noted after 50s. All these can lead to increase in chromosomal abnormalities.
Any addiction to smoking, drinking, tobacco can lead to reduction in infertility. Other causes include ovulatory dysfunction, tubal and pelvic factors and 10 to 15 percent consist of unexplained infertility.
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Tests For Infertility In Men
Infertility evaluation involves uncomfortable procedures. A few ways to diagnose this are:
- Semen analysis
- Genetic testing
- Imaging
- Hormone testing
- Testicular biopsy
Tests For Infertility In Women
- Ovulation testing
- Hysterosalpingography
- Imaging tests
- Ovarian reserve testing
Treatment of Infertility
Dr. Swapnali Garude, Consultant Gynecologist, Jain Multi-Speciality Hospital, sheds some light on the topic and elucidates, "The treatment consists of getting the cause treated. Ovulation induction, IUI, IVF, ICSI, or IVF with donor egg or donor sperm many more are the vast solutions in case of available infertility treatment."
A few very friendly infertility treatments as recommended by the doctor are:
- Sperm retrieval
- Surgery to restore fertility
- Changing lifestyle factors
- Stimulating ovulation with fertility drugs
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
Alternatives of Infertility
Surrogacy
Surrogacy is a type of pregnancy in which a woman carries and gives birth to a baby for a person who is not able to have children. In a surrogate pregnancy, egg donor are fertilized with sperm from a sperm donor to make an embryo. The embryo is implanted in the uterus of the surrogate mother, who carries the baby until birth. Surrogate pregnancy may be an option for men or women who want to have children but cannot due to any cause of infertility.
Surrogacy is legal in India and act was passed in December 2021. The law limits the medical procedure to couples who are infertile and have been married for at least five years, with no surviving offspring.
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a treatment for infertility in which a person's eggs (oocytes) are fertilized by sperm in a laboratory dish. The fertilized eggs develop into embryos in the IVF laboratory. Albeit, IVF is never the first step in the treatment of infertility except in cases of complete tubal blockage; severe male infertility.
Adoption
Adoption is one of the most rising popular options for infertile couples recently. Although, parents bring a non-genetically related child into their family in this case. Adoption has changed a lot over the last few decades, and many are surprised at how positive an experience it can be for all involved. There are three kinds of adoption:
- Private Domestic Infant Adoption
- Foster Care Adoption
- International Adoption
Because there are now too many options available for the infertile couple, it can get very confusing so as to what to do. Therefore, it is a mandate to consult a doctor, get the tests done and then decide which alternative way to go. You can always live start your dream family, just be cautious.