A Treatment For Infertility

Infertility can be very distressing for a couple attempting to conceive and have a child. The causes of infertility are numerous, and they each are treated in different ways.

Indications for Treatment

In general, most couples with conceive within six months of having unprotected sex and 85 percent of all couples will conceive within 12 months, MayoClinic.com explains. Consequently, the Mayo Clinic recommends that patients do not see a doctor for infertility treatment unless they have been having unprotected sex for at least a year while trying to conceive. There are some cases, however, when action can be taken sooner. Women who have not menstruated in at least six months and men who have a history of low sperm count or prostate problems may need to consult a infertility specialist. Women who have a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, irregular menstrual periods or miscarriages may also want to seek fertility treatments earlier than most women.

Diagnosis

Infertility cannot be properly treated unless the cause of the infertility is known. Because problems with the sperm can impede conception, men should have their semen analyzed for sperm shape, movement and number, the National Women's Health Information Center explains. Women will need to find out if they are ovulating regularly; this can be done by measuring hormonal levels or can be done at home by using a ovulation testing kit or by having affected women measure their body temperature each day. An ultrasound may be done to determine if the ovaries are normal. A hysterosalpingography involves a special dye and X-rays, and can be done to check the health of the uterus and fallopian tubes to make sure that there are no abnormalities interfering with fertility.

Treatments for Men

Men who have sexual problems, such as premature ejaculation or impotence, often benefit from medications, which can help correct these problems as well as behavioral treatments. If the male has too few sperm, surgery can be done to repair the reproductive tract and antibiotics can be used to clear up any infection contributing to the problem. For men who have blockages that prevent sperm from getting released, surgery can also be effective at allowing sperm to enter into the ejaculate.

Infertility Treatments for Women

Women who have anatomical abnormalities or scar tissue in their fallopian tubes often benefit from surgery, MayoClinic.com notes. For other causes of female infertility, a variety of medications that can help aid ovulation. Often these drugs can boost the body's production of follicle stimulating hormone or luteinizing hormones, which are needed for ovulation. These drugs can also contain a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, which also can induce ovulation. One risk of using these medications, however, is that they increase the chance of multiple births.

In Vitro Fertilization

In vitro fertilization, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine notes, can often be used as a treatment for infertility. Eggs are removed from the female's ovaries and incubated with sperm in a Petri dish. After 40 hours, the eggs are examined to see if they have been fertilized. Fertilized eggs are then implanted into the female's uterus. This procedure is particularly effective for women who have problems with their fallopian tubes, as the procedure bypasses those tubes completely.