Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive a child or carry a pregnancy to full term after one year of having regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. It's estimated that infertility affects 12-15% of couples globally.
The causes of infertility can involve both men and women. In roughly one-third of cases, infertility is due to female factors like problems with ovulation, damage to fallopian tubes, endometriosis, or uterine issues. In another one-third of cases, it's due to male factors like abnormal sperm production, movement, or delivery. The final third is caused by a mix of both male and female factors, or is unexplained.
Some key risk factors for infertility include:
- Age - fertility begins declining after age 30 for women and age 35 for men
- Smoking, alcohol, drugs - these can all impact sperm/egg health
- Being overweight or underweight
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Chronic conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disorders
The good news is that today there are more treatment options for infertility than ever before. The most common options include:
- Fertility drugs to help stimulate ovulation and egg production
- Artificial insemination procedures like intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- Assisted reproductive technology (ART) like in vitro fertilization (IVF) to help achieve pregnancy
At Hormone Harmony,
our compassionate fertility specialists create custom treatment plans to help patients struggling with infertility finally become parents. We offer advanced technologies like IVF
and PGT
genetic testing combined with holistic lifestyle guidance. Visit Hormone Harmony.com](http://Hormone Harmony.com)
to schedule a fertility assessment.
Dealing with infertility can be an extremely difficult, stressful journey full of ups and downs. Having the right medical team to provide
emotional support, patience, and hope makes all the difference. If you think you may be struggling with fertility issues, schedule an appointment with your OB-GYN or seek out a
reproductive endocrinologist who specializes in infertility treatments. Be your own best health advocate and don't give up on your dream of building a family.