Infertility 101: Answers to Your Questions

 

I. What Is Infertility?

§  Primary Infertility

o   A condition or challenge experienced by the couple with conceiving or maintaining pregnancy. 
 

§   Secondary Infertility

o   Secondary Infertility is the inability to conceive again after bearing the first child.
 

§ Are We The Only Ones Affected?

o It is estimated that as much as 15 percent of couples have difficulty conceiving.

II. Causes Of Infertility

§  Female Factors

o Experts agree that female factors account for 35-40 percent of a couple’s inability to conceive and bear a child. 
o Female Infertility usually stems from ovulation problems such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Endometriosis and other Uterine factors, age (which correlates with poor egg quality), and blocked fallopian tubes.
 

§   Male Factors

o Male factors also account for 35-40 percent of a couple’s inability to conceive and bear a child. 
o Male Infertility is typically a result of sperm problems such as low or absence of sperm cells, poor sperm motility (inactivity), and poor sperm quality. In some cases, it is also caused by a blockage in a male’s tube.
 

§   Unexplained Infertility

o Some couples still experience the challenge of conceiving even after being tested and their respective factors remain normal. This accounts for 25 percent. 
o Experts continue to study this condition and help couples learn and understand treatment options to successfully conceive a baby.

III. Fertility Investigation

§   Female Factors

o With the help of a fertility specialist, one must ensure that: 

§  The female is ovulating 
§  There are no problems with the uterus and ovaries 
§  The fallopian tubes are functioning
 

§   Male Factors

o In assessing the infertility of a male, a fertility specialist should be able to deliver diagnosis after a semen analysis or Semenalysis. 
o Semenalysis helps determine the normality of the sperm count. Semen is collected after 4-5 days of abstinence in a reputable laboratory facility. 
 

§ Other Factors

o There are also other underlying factors that affect infertility: 

§  Medical illnesses 
§  Family history of infertility 
§  Previous surgery 
§  Lifestyle factors 
§  Stress at work 
§  Sexual dysfunction

IV. What are the treatment options?

§  Ovulation Induction, Follicle Monitoring, and Timed Intercourse

o  What are the pre-requisites for this process?

1. There should be a good quality egg from the female.

2. The fallopian tubes have to be open.

3. There should be an adequate number of rapidly swimming and ‘good-looking’/quality sperms

o  The chances of getting pregnant are at:

1. 25 percent for those who are 20-30 years old

2. Less than 10 percent for those above 35 years old.

§  Ovulation Induction, Follicle Monitoring, and Artificial Insemination 

o  What are the pre-requisites for this process?

1. There should be a good quality egg from the female.

2. At least ONE of the fallopian tubes have to be open.

3. Total motile (active) sperms inseminated: 5 million

o The chance of getting pregnant is at 15-20 percent per cycle

§  In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

o This process involves the retrieval of the egg, fertilization, and embryo transfer. 

o What are the pre-requisites for this process?

1. There should be a minimum number of developing follicles.

2. The fallopian tubes are not required.

3. There should be a minimum number of good-looking/quality sperms

o  The chances of getting pregnant are at:

1. 41 percent for those younger than 35 years old

2. Less than 12 percent for those who are 41-42 years old

V. Notes: 

§  Depending on what factors are causing the infertility, specialists begin with the least invasive and most cost-effective way of getting couples pregnant.

§  What should a couple consider in going through these treatments?

o Years that the couple has been trying to conceive

o Types of investigations previously done

o Treatment options that have been performed

Source:

Anthony Marc B. Ancheta, MD, FPOGS, FPSREI

 Are you struggling to get pregnant?