When should you see a fertility specialist?

What is Fertility?

Fertility is broadly defined as the capability to produce an offspring through regular unprotected sex after the onset of sexual maturity. It is estimated that around 8 in 10 couples with the female partner aged under 40 can conceive within one year of regular unprotected sex, and 9 out of 10 couples within 2 years.

The fertility crisis: Rising infertility in the modern world

The World Health Organisation recognises fertility as a reproductive system disorder characterized by a failure to achieve pregnancy even after 12 months of regular unprotected sex. Such a failure could either be a result of male or female infertility, or a combination of different factors. It is estimated that around 15% of couples all over the world are affected by infertility. Studies have shown that a man today has only about half the sperm his grandfather had, and a woman in her 20’s is less fertile than her grandmother would have been at 35. So, what are the factors that have contributed to this rise in infertility?

Factors affecting global fertility

Typically self-diagnosable, infertility affects millions around the world. There are many different factors that affect global reproductive health. Lifestyle choices like smoking, drugs and excessive alcohol consumption play a crucial role in rising infertility rates throughout the world. However, there’s also a whole other class of things that are at play and aren’t easy to control. Among those are chemicals that pollute our environment. They find their way into our homes through packaged food products, personal care products, etc. Remember, these are chemicals that can slowly but steadily mess up our hormone functions.

When to see a fertility doctor?

As far as infertility symptoms are concerned, not getting pregnant is the main symptom. And there may be no other obvious signs or symptoms. Most couples don’t need to see a fertility expert, seek treatment for fertility or go for infertility testing unless they’ve been trying to get pregnant for at least 12 months. However, here’s a list of factors that should urge couples to consult a fertility expert or seek treatment for fertility.

• If they’re 35 or older and have been trying to conceive for a minimum of six months.
• If they have irregular or absent periods.
• If they have very painful periods.
• If they have known fertility issues.
• If they have a history of miscarriages.
• If they have been diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis.
• If they’ve undergone cancer treatment.

When it comes to men, they should be considering treatment for fertility, infertility testing or consult a fertility doctor if:

• They have a low sperm count or other sperm related issues.
• They have a history of reproductive health issues.
• They’ve undergone cancer treatment.
• They have swelling in the scrotum or other testicular issues.
• They have a history of infertility issues in the family.

What is the treatment for infertility

Right from hormones, fertility drugs, IUI and IVF treatments, there are many different options for fertility issues. Fertility centers use various medical techniques and procedures to facilitate successful fertilization. In addition to proper self-care and use of fertility medications, medical procedures like IVF and IUI treatments are used at IVF centers across the world to help treat infertility. The inability to reproduce children affects both men and women, causing them emotional and psychological distress. Fortunately, there are a range of advanced therapies and IVF fertility centers available today to help couples improve their chances of getting pregnant. Equipped with world class amenities and infrastructure, Motherhood Fertility & IVF Center is one of India’s leading centers for different kinds of treatments for fertility.