Ways On How To Overcome Female Infertility
The authoritative definition of female infertility is failing to conceive after twelve months of unprotected sexual intercourse. The woman's age is found to be a contributing factor. After reaching the age of thirty, a woman's chances of conceiving decrease anywhere between 3% to 5% with each passing year.
There are exceptions, of course, and numerous other causes of infertility. Your physician may order tests such as a blood test that determines hormone levels and an endometrial biopsy. More complicated tests include an HSG (hysterosalpingography), which verifies whether or not there is blockage in the fallopian tubes. This is crucial since that is where the sperm unites with the ovum and conception occurs.
The laparoscopy is the insertion of a thin tube into the abdomen by making a small incision next to the belly button. The laparoscope contains a fiberoptic camera. The objective of the test is to view the outside of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. If any abnormal growths are present, endometriosis for example, the laparoscopy will detect them. This is a minimally invasive procedure.
Possible Causes of Female Infertility
Causative factors include but are not limited to fallopian tube damage, pelvic infections, endometriosis and the formation of scar tissue following surgery. Problems with ovulation are often due to hormonal causes. The ovum or eggs must be fertilized and the lining of the uterus (endometrium) must thicken before this can occur.
A small number of women have a condition that prevents the sperm from navigating through the cervical canal. Fortunately, this may be overcome through the use of intrauterine inseminations with the husband's sperm. As with other mysteries of life, there is no apparent reason for infertility in about 20% of all cases.
Methods of Conception
Consult a reproductive endocrinologist, a profession who specializes in treating women who have difficulty in conceiving; and he will explain all possible alternatives for female infertility treatments to you. After all possible obstructions are identified; he will help you decide what course of treatment to follow.
There may be surgical options such as reversing a tubal ligation, also referred to as tying the tubes. Possibly an obstruction of the fallopian tubes can be removed. Or, the woman might have an infection that will respond to treatment.
Some couples turn to finding an egg donor. This very expensive option is ordinarily arranged with the assistance of the physician and an attorney. Another way to become parents is to hire a surrogate mother to carry the baby to term.
Happy Endings Do Occur
I recall the story of infertility told by a good friend. After having tests, following ovulation charts and testing body temperatures for several years, she was still not pregnant. Her husband was tested and was not infertile. Since there was no medical reason to think that she was either, she went through extensive testing procedures as described previously. Finally, they made the decision to adopt.
A beautiful baby boy transformed the couple into happy parents. They immersed themselves in the joys of that first year in a baby's life. Mysteriously, my friend conceived when the baby was ten months old. I asked her how she would manage two babies so close together in age. She just grinned and replied, "No problem."
