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Am I infertile?
About 85% of young, healthy heterosexual couples conceive after one year of trying, and about 93% are successful after two years. The standard definition of infertility is the inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse. Today, this has been modified to take age into account, and now women over 35 may be considered infertile if they have failed to conceive after trying for six months. Some specialists halve that number to three months for women over 40. If you suspect you are infertile or are at risk for being infertile, speak with a medical professional to discuss your options.
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What’s the difference between sterility and infertility?
Sterility means that it is impossible for a couple to conceive a child. A diagnosis of sterility is given after a thorough examination concludes that there is no sperm production and ovulation cannot occur.
Infertility means that a couple is not sterile but for some reason has not been able to conceive a child. There are three conditions that need to be met for conception to be possible: sperm must be present, the fallopian tubes must be open, and ovulation must be able to occur. If one or more of these conditions is not met, the couple suffers from “true infertility.” If all three conditions are met but the couple has failed to conceive, the diagnosis is “sub-fertility.”
Once a couple is diagnosed as infertile, the doctor will perform tests to determine the cause or causes. Then treatment can begin. Today’s technology often allows even truly infertile couples to conceive a child, sometimes with the assistance of a third party donor or surrogate.
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Should I consider seeking professional treatment for infertility?
People who consider undergoing IVF or other assisted reproductive techniques (ART) often do so after they have failed to conceive for 12 months. Others who have known risk factors for infertility seek treatment sooner. Reasons for this include:
- The female partner is over 35 years old.
- Either partner has received injuries or been diagnosed with conditions that affect fertility (endometriosis, pelvic infection, polycystic ovarian syndrome, undescended testicles).
- Either partner has a family history of genetic disorders (Tay-Sachs disease, thalassemia).
- The couple has not been helped by ovulation induction or infertility treatments.
- The female partner has had multiple unsuccessful pregnancies for other reasons.
Single women and lesbian couples may also obtain professional assistance when attempting to conceive a child.
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I’ve been diagnosed as infertile. Will I need in vitro fertilization (IVF)?
Not necessarily. Most couples find that they can successfully conceive with the help of medications, fertility drugs, or occasionally surgery. Only a small percentage of infertile couples – about 5% – require advanced treatments such as IVF, GIFT (gamete intrafallopian transfer), ZIFT (zygote intrafallopian transfer), ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) and egg donation.
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What can I do to prepare for my first appointment?
Gather your medical records and exam results from any tests you have already undergone. Some patients have also found it helpful to write about their experiences with infertility and bring that as well.
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How can I increase my chances of conceiving?
- Lose weight. Women with low body mass indices (BMI) have been shown to enjoy a higher probability of successfully conceiving a child.
- Stop smoking. Smoking directly affects menstruation and reproductive function.
- Eat well. Give your body the nutrition it needs – eat healthy foods, and supplement with vitamins and antioxidants.
- Manage your stress. Emotional and mental well-being is as important as physical health. Try tension-reducing activities such as meditation, yoga or acupuncture.
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What tests will I need to have?
Tests vary from patient to patient, and depend on a number of factors including age, medical history, previous treatment results and projected treatment plans. Some tests are for the intended mother, some for the male partner and some are for both. Common exams are blood tests, ultrasound, disease screening, and sperm analysis. Your doctor will be able to tell you and your partner which tests you will need after your consultation.
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Are treatments painful?
The medications given before egg harvesting are injected under the skin with a small hypodermic needle and should not cause much discomfort.
Egg retrieval is performed using unconscious sedation, so the patient is asleep and does not feel the ultrasound equipment or the fine needle. There will be a team of anesthesiologists closely monitoring the patient, but unconscious sedation is not the same as general anesthesia. The procedure lasts about 15 minutes and the patient wakes quickly.
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I am having trouble with the emotional highs and lows of this whole process. Is help available?
Absolutely. We refer all of our patients – both women and men – to counselors from the beginning stages of treatment to help them through this difficult and stressful time in their lives. Counselors can help patients minimize stress levels and deal with the range of emotions experienced during treatment, including anger, denial, depression and grief as well as euphoria.
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