Infertility causes great heartache for women who have tried without success to get pregnant. Some of these women go months, even years without getting pregnant. After a time, these same women may look for a cause (and a solution) to their fertility issue. If you’re one of these women, know that you’re not alone. Here is what you need to know about the causes of and the solutions for infertility.
Hormonal Causes
According to WebMD, your hormones could be the issue. For your body to become pregnant, your body needs to produce a certain combination of hormones that causes your ovaries to release an egg. These hormones also cause the lining of the uterus to thicken to get ready for the egg. Any disruption to this process makes it difficult to get pregnant.
Physical Causes
There are myriad physical reasons (aside from hormones) that prevent you from getting pregnant. You could have problems with your cervix, which stops the sperm from going through the canal of the cervix. There could also be fibroids or polyps on your uterus.
Additionally, any kind of damage that your fallopian tubes sustain affects your ability to get pregnant. Your fallopian tubes could have scarring from pelvic surgery, endometriosis, or any infections you might have had. When this happens, the sperm can’t reach the egg and pregnancy won’t occur.
How It Is Detected
The first step in overcoming infertility is to know why it’s happening. If you suspect that infertility is the reason you’re not getting pregnant, you can see your doctor. Your doctor can order tests to help you get to the root cause. Sometimes, this is as simple as a blood test.
However, some of these tests may require a X-rays or an ultrasound. The doctor will inject saline and air or dye into your cervix. This mixture travels up to the fallopian tubes. If there are any areas that are affected by blockage, this test will reveal it.
Your doctor may also order a laparoscopy test. For this, a tube that carries a miniature camera is inserted through a small incision near your navel. This allows the doctor to detect any blockages or growths that cause infertility.
Finally, it should be noted that 20% of people who experience fertility challenges will not know why they can’t get pregnant. No exact cause (or causes) for the infertility can be found. That said, if you are one of those people, you won’t know until you get tested. It’s helpful to remember that even if the cause of your infertility is unknown, you still have options.
There is Hope
Some women who experience infertility face surgery to remove the blockage causing their issue. Others will take medication or try a combination of therapies. Still others will turn to IVF treatment (In Vitro Fertilization. This treatment involves medications, which cause eggs (more than one) to grow in the ovaries. These are then removed and fertilized and reinserted back into the uterus to allow the pregnancy to continue as it normally would.
Another option that is out there is adoption. You can choose to adopt through your local foster care agency, a private agency, or through an international agency. You can adopt a child of any age (from birth to 17) and it is a great way to give a child a loving home who would not have otherwise had the opportunity. Like any other part of the trying to get pregnant to start your family process, this is a big decision and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Likewise, it can be an emotional rollercoaster. There will be ups and downs, twists and turns, and many hurdles to jump over. It can take up to two years to adopt a child, especially if you’re adopting from overseas. In the end, however, your love will have grown and your sacrifices will have been worth it. You’ll have a child who is yours. He or she may not be related to you by blood, but they will be the child of your heart and, in reality, that is what matters most. Of course, I am not saying that every person who deals with infertility issues should adopt. It is a huge decision! Not only that, but how a person chooses to form their family is a very private matter and you should only do what you’re most comfortable with and are able to be long-term committed to.
Infertility affects a variety of women. Infertility has a number of causes, which can be detected and treated. Women who suspect that they are dealing with infertility issues can create a plan with the help of their doctors. Ultimately, these women may find that these treatments are successful. If you suspect that you face infertility, it may give you peace of mind to see your doctor about it.
