Infertility occurs when a couple cannot conceive after having regular unprotected sex. To elaborate further, it may be that one of the partners cannot contribute to conception, or it can be that a woman is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term.
According to World Health Organization, infertility is a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Infertility is a condition with psychological, economic, and medical implications resulting in trauma, and stress, particularly in a social set-up like ours, with a strong emphasis on child-bearing.
So, to understand this in simple terms – It means the persistent inability to achieve conception and produce offspring.
A Global Phenomenon
In Western countries like America, about 10% of women aged 15 to 44 years are estimated to have difficulty conceiving or staying pregnant. Worldwide, 8 to 12% of couples experience fertility problems. Between 45 and 50% of cases are thought to stem from factors that affect the man.
The State of Affairs
The term “Infertility” has gained momentum in India off-late in the last decade. Thanks to sudden changes to our lifestyle by the influence of Western culture and how we could not manage it as per changing pace. This is especially true in the case of new breed techies, the youth of India – many who work in shift systems for multinationals, their irregular food habits, no control over their impulsiveness, and gross ignorance of biological changes when it is severely affected.
The main symptom of infertility is not getting pregnant. There may be no other obvious symptoms. Sometimes, a woman with infertility may have irregular or absent menstrual periods. In some cases, a man with infertility may have some signs of hormonal problems, such as changes in hair growth or sexual function.
Most couples will eventually conceive, with or without treatment.
When to Visit a Doctor?
You probably don’t need to see a doctor about infertility unless you have been trying regularly to get pregnant for at least one and a half years. Women should talk with a doctor earlier, however, if they:
- Have irregular or absent periods
- Have very painful periods
- Have known fertility problems
- Have been diagnosed with endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease
- Have had multiple miscarriages
- Have undergone treatment for cancer
Men should talk to a doctor if they have:
- A low sperm count or other problems with sperm
- A history of testicular, prostate, or sexual problems
- Undergone treatment for cancer
- Small testicles or swelling in the scrotum
- Others in your family with infertility problems
Infertility causes can affect one or both partners. In general:
- In about one-third of cases, there is an issue with the man
- In about one-third of cases, there is an issue with the woman
- In the remaining cases, there are issues with both the man and the woman, or no cause can be found
We have branches spread across Hyderabad having an excellent panel of doctors and infrastructure at par with international medical facilities. So, what are you waiting for? Time to resolve your issues. Schedule an appointment now!