Infertility Solutions – Finding the One that Works
You finally married the man of your dreams, got settled in a cozy suburban home where there is plenty of warm, open space for lazy afternoon strolls. The only problem is you still do not have a rosy-cheeked cherub to take on those dreamy strolls. You have grown wary of pregnancy tests – it simply breaks your heart every time the results come out.
Guess what? You are not alone. In fact, studies show that one in seven couples experience infertility. The good news is that infertility is a medical condition, and like most medical conditions, advances in medicine and technology can make it possible for couples to conceive. There are several options available but the key is getting an accurate assessment of the problem which is preventing the couple from getting pregnant.
A common misconception is that infertility is a woman’s problem. On the contrary, male infertility is just as common as female infertility. In women, the most common problems causing infertility are endometriosis, having polycystic ovaries, and damage to the fallopian tubes caused by infections like Chlamydia. The most common causes of male infertility include azoospermia and oligospermia where no sperm or very few sperm are produced. Chromosomal anomalies can also cause malformation of sperm cells or cause the sperm cells to die before they can reach the egg.
Medical treatment for infertility can range from simple home remedies like tracking ovulation with basal body temperature or fertility calculators to more invasive surgical procedures like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and related techniques belonging to what is now called Assisted Reproductive Technology or ART. ART is used to for complex problems which prevent successful fertilization inside the woman’s body. It usually begins with using stimulants that induce the ovaries to produce eggs. The eggs are then fertilized outside the body in a laboratory setting before being reinserted into the uterus where the fetus continues its development.
In the United States, the FDA approved the first medical conception device that can be used at home. A cervical cap allows all the semen to be placed directly on the cervix for several hours. This prescription device can be used to bypass problems such as low sperm count and mobility, or a tilted cervix. This is definitely more scientific than the “hips up theory” which requires the couple to do bedroom acrobatics supposedly to aid the sperm cells into the cervix.
Alternative fertility solutions are also available and have been scientifically proven to provide results. These alternative infertility treatments include acupuncture, which is now widely used in conjunction with IVF to provide better transfer success, and manual physical therapy. Physical therapy techniques include the Wurn Technique which is aimed at returning function to blocked fallopian tubes.
Like any other medical issue, the key to resolving infertility is accurate diagnosis of the problem. Knowing what it is that prevents successful pregnancy will allow you to choose the most suitable solution. Also, a positive attitude to the whole process is necessary especially since the pressure to get pregnant quick can be daunting and stressful. In the end, it is important to remember that the picture-perfect life is not something already set and framed. It is a working canvass of endless possibilities.
