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Female Infertility - Why can't I get pregnant?
Female infertility is often a focal point of discussion between a couple failing to conceive. It is thought to be the 'fault' of the woman, a misconception still prevalent in some Asian societies.
The fact is, the cause of infertility can be found in the man as much as in the woman! In some cases, couples find that both of them have problems with infertility. Some experts say that an equal percentage, i.e. 50% of men and and 50% of women suffer from infertility, whilst others differ, saying that female infertility contributes to about 60% of the cases.
Whatever the statistics, we know that about one in every ten couples will have difficulty conceiving. Four out of five couples will eventually conceived after a year of regular unprotected intercourse. And it is still considered normal for a couple to conceive within two years' time.
If you belong to the 10% of couples having difficulty conceiving, this does not necessarily mean that you can never have children. It only mean that you'll benefit from medical investigation, as about 50% of infertile couples who seek help do eventually conceive.
Bear in mind that a woman's fertility declines with age. By age 35 to 38, most women may not ovulate effectively. But if age is not a factor, and if the reason for infertility is not immediately obvious, then tests should be carried out to find the cause.
There are many causes and factors that can lead to female infertility. While most people tend take their fertility for granted, each successful pregnancy is actually a miracle in the making. Conception or fertilization is indeed a very complex process because the sperm has to overcome all odds to meet an egg. A successful pregnancy can only happen when several important conditions are fulfilled. For example, your hormones must be balanced so that you are ovulating. Your fallopian tubes must have a clear passage way for your egg to pass through to your uterus. Your spouse must have no problems ejaculating, his semen containing enough healthy sperm, and deposited at your cervix at the right time in your menstrual cycle when your egg is released. Therefore, if you or your spouse have any problems in any parts of your respective reproductive systems that disrupt the above conditions, it would be hard for you to conceive a baby. Click on the links to discover the various factors and causes: Problems with the Fallopian Tubes Miscellaneous Female Infertility Factors
Approximately 10% of all infertile couples found no reason for their infertility. This means that they have undergone a general medical investigation and are found to be normal, and no explanation could be offered by the doctor as to why they couldn't conceive. However, while still under investigation, some of these couples do spontaneously become pregnant. The very fact of being in the hands of infertility specialists can be very reassuring and ease tension when the problem is emotional. For the rest of the cases, they'll need a more thorough search for subtle abnormalities to explain their infertility.
If you suspect that you're having a female infertility problem and would like to consult a fertility specialist for treatment, be prepared to be open about your personal details. Your fertility workup includes a detail investigation of your medical history, lifestyle, habits, health, previous fertility tests and a standard pelvic examination. Your doctor will check for any obvious physical signs of problems with your uterus, ovaries or cervix. If no cause of infertility is found, your doctor may suggest to perform further diagnostic testings on you. Your consent will be sought as such tests can be more invasive and risky. Testing procedure may require the need to penetrate your body with a tube, needle, or viewing instrument, or exposing your body to drugs, radiation and dye. The risks of any test vary, depending on your age and health status, and of course, the skill of your doctor. If your doctor can identify the root cause of your infertility problem with the diagnostic testings, and you agree to get subsequent fertility treatment, do check out on the cost and length of the recommended treatment. For example, you should be told that using donor eggs to achieve a pregnancy is a very expensive method of conception. Fertility treatment is usually very emotionally taxing. Therefore clear all your doubts with your doctor when you're unsure and be prepared for what you will be in for the long haul.
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