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The Fertility Enigma |
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Diagnostics Infertility is one of those disorders which cannot be easily diagnosed. The factors affecting our fertility
are so numerous that it takes a long time to find a cause – quite often though the cause remains unknown and we can
only get treated empirically by applying standard treatment that works for most likely causes. It is believed that about 30%
of fertility problems are not identified.
Infertility can be suspected if after a year of trying to conceive a baby (by having regular unprotected
sex) a couple have not achieved pregnancy. If you are below 35 years old, you don't need to get too worried yet and allow
yourself another half a year up to a year to get pregnant. However, couples where a woman is over 35 should
not postpone seeing a specialist.
Infertility diagnosis in women
The following problems should be investigated if female infertility is suspected: Ovulation - is it present? Determining whether a woman is ovulating is one of the first steps in diagnosing infertility problems. This
can be established in a number of ways:
– these are very important and at the same time basic tests determining if hormones responsible for reproduction are
produced appropriately. PCOS - polycystic ovarian syndrome Immune disorders Immune disorders – tests to detect various antibodies can be performed. The most useful immunity testing to identify
infertility causes is a test for antisperm antibodies done in both women and men. Infections Sometimes the reason for fertility problems could be previous infections or inflammation of the reproductive system.. Some of the infections don't give visible symptoms and therefore can go unnoticed for years. Infections or inflammatory processes can result in scarring in the womb or fallopian tubes or ovaries. Scarred tissue prevents normal blood flow and makes it harder for the embryo to implant and develop. Scars however can be removed during an operation. Physical examinations - structural abnormalities. • Ultrasound scan is used to evaluate womb and ovaries. A series of ultrasound scans can be performed to determine if
a woman is ovulating and evaluate the development of an egg in the ovaries.
• Laparoscopy is a key-hole surgery when a small incision is made into your abdomen and a thin, tubular microscope is used to look closely at the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Sometimes dye is injected into the fallopian tubes through the cervix to detect possible blockages in the tubes. • Hysteroscopy – under general anesthetic a small, thin tube with a camera is used to view the inside of the womb to evaluate the state of the uterus and detect problems such as fibroids or polyps or tissue scarring. • Hysterosalpingogram - is an X-ray to check your fallopian tubes. • Hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) dye is inserted into the fallopian tubes and an ultrasound scan is used to check for blockages. Infertility diagnosis in men The following tests can be performed if male infertility is suspected:
Possible Causes of Infertility Female infertility is often caused by problems with ovulation. Ovulation is when an egg is released from the ovary. Problems with ovulation can usually be detected by monitoring the menstrual cycle of the woman. If the cycle is irregular or has ceased, then there may be an ovulation problem. If there is an egg to be fertilized, then it must be able to travel down the fallopian tube. If there is a blockage, then implantation in the uterus can not occur. If a fertilized egg gets stuck in the fallopian tube, then it can cause an ectopic pregnancy. Endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and uterine fibroids can be other causes of infertility in women. Sometimes the uterus itself can be structurally misshapen or too distorted to support a pregnancy. Many lifestyle factors should be considered when determining the cause of a female's infertility. Age, illness, hormonal changes or imbalances, smoking, weight, alcohol use, smoking, exercise level and diet should all be evaluated. Sexually transmitted diseases can also cause infertility. Weight is a common cause of infertility. If a woman weighs too little or too much, it can affect the signal from the brain that tells the ovary to release the egg. There are many causes of infertility for men and women that are not discussed here. You should talk with your doctor or infertility specialist about what specific causes of infertility you might be experiencing. Careful planning, lifestyle changes, hormonal treatments or surgery could help you conceive. The best thing to do is to come up with an infertility treatment plan that is right for you. About the Author: Eric Daiter is the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Eric Daiter please visit http://www.drericdaitermd.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Eric_Daiter |
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