Infertility is a common problem that many people experience at some point or another. Indeed, around one in ten couples may have difficulty conceiving –– particularly during their first year trying to do so. Believe it or not, this can actually include parents too. That’s right, just because you’re already a parent, it doesn’t mean infertility won’t affect you now or in the future. The truth is that a lot of parents may find it difficult to conceive –– even if they have multiple kids. We’ll explain more here:
Age & Fertility
There are a number of factors that can lead to the development of infertility over time. However, perhaps the simplest reason why parents may struggle to conceive a second (or third) time is down to the aging process. Women become less fertile over time, though, no two women share the same “fertility timeline” per se. Some women may find it difficult to conceive in their early 30s. Others may still be able to become pregnant well into their 40s.
Conditions that Cause Infertility
Beyond age, there are many other conditions that can contribute to infertility in both women and men. (For years, infertility was wrongly stigmatized as an issue that solely women experienced. This is simply untrue.) Women may experience fertility issues as a result of a hormonal imbalance, or because of a damaged fallopian tube or uterus. The bad news here is that many different issues may contribute to these problems. Anything from the development of a cyst to high stress may inhibit a woman’s ability to become pregnant.
Similarly, men may struggle to produce enough sperm or ejaculate in a manner that is conducive to conception. Varicoceles, infections, celiac disease, prior surgeries, and even exposure to dangerous chemicals or heavy metals could affect sperm count and the integrity of sexual organs.
Infertility Treatments
As we’ve laid out above, a wide range of problems can decrease fertility in both women and men. On the plus side, many of these issues are treatable. It’s not worth listing all of the possible treatments for infertility here –– they vary from procedures like salpingolysis to couples therapy. Instead, it’s key to keep in mind that the best way to deal with infertility is to speak up about it. No, discussing fertility issues with your partner, and eventually a medical professional, may not be easy. Yet, by taking decisive action, parents can potentially address fertility issues before they grow worse. (This underlines even further the need for quality health insurance.)
Before you get any treatments, though, you’ll want to get an examination. The thing is, there could be hidden factors influencing fertility that have nothing to do with your physical makeup. Circadian rhythms affect sleeping patterns, and reproductive rhythms in female anatomy can be a perfectly natural impediment to conception—perhaps there’s a scheduling issue at play. The thing is, you don’t want to start supplementing or doing some exercise you’ve read about if it turns out you just need to change your intimacy patterns. The thing to do if you’re having trouble is consulting with an OBGYN in Dallas, TX, or elsewhere if you’re not in Dallas. Such professionals can give you access to the latest treatment, or help you save time and aggravation through a little advice which may help you get pregnant when all else fails. The human body is complex, and you don’t want to make any decisions in a rushed way, or without proper information guiding your choice.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that fertility problems can happen to anyone. Rather than living in denial about it, make it a point to speak to a medical professional instead. Doing so will save you a lot of unnecessary worry!