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Infertility: Part 1 - Diagnosis and Treatment
Infertility: Part 1 - Diagnosis and Treatment
By: Ginger | October 17, 2008 | Category: Health
A worried woman.At my last hair appointment, my stylist shared with me that she and her husband have been trying to have a baby for over a year, but have been unsuccessful in conceiving. As we talked, I could hear the sadness and anxiety in her voice. Hearing her story brought back memories and feelings of my own attempt to overcome infertility. I wanted to help in some way, so I did some research.
I learned that next week is National Infertility Awareness Week, so today’s blog is about the diagnosis and treatments for infertility. Next Friday’s topic will be about coping with infertility and options for people unable to have children.
USA.gov and Womenshealth.gov have FAQ pages that answer some frequently asked infertility questions and provide some links to good resources. According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, infertility affects about 7.3 million women and their partners in the U.S.
The causes of infertility are numerous. Couples are generally advised to seek medical help if pregnancy is not achieved after a year. Both partners should be examined to determine the physical disorders that may be causing infertility. The cause or causes can involve one or both partners.
Premature ovarian failure, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis and uterine fibroids are just a few of the problems that can cause female infertility. Lifestyle and environmental factors such as age, stress, poor diet, and being overweight can also affect a woman’s fertility.
Urologyhealth.org, the Madigan Army Medical Center, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Familydoctor.org have information related to male infertility.
Diagnosis of infertility and treatment can be a lengthy process. It may take many months of tests and attempts to overcome infertility. Treatments vary according to the diagnosis. Surgery, medications, intrauterine insemination and assisted reproductive technology are all potential treatments.
Infertility affects a lot of people. If you have information or resources to share, please send a comment. Stay tuned for my blog next Friday about how to cope with the emotional stress of infertility.