Infertility Treatments – What You Can Do If You Are Struggling To Get Pregnant

Male Infertility Factors

For some reason, society tends to associate infertility problems with women more than they do with men. The truth is, about 40-50% of infertility problems come from men. These problems include a disturbance in production of sperm cells, obstruction in the seminiferous tubules, ducts, or vessels preventing movement of spermatozoa, qualitative or quantitative changes in the seminal fluid preventing sperm motility, development of autoimmunity that immobilizes sperm or problems in ejaculation or deposition preventing spermatozoa from being placed close enough to the woman’s cervix to allow ready penetration and fertilization.

Female Infertility Factors

The factors that cause infertility in women are analogous to those causing infertility in men: anovalation, problems of ova transport through the fallopian tubes to the uterus, uterine factors such as tumors or poor endometrial development, and cervical and vaginal factors that immobilize spermatozoa.

Anovulation, or the absence of ovulation, a common cause of infertility in women, may occur from a genetic abnormality, a hormonal imbalance, ovarian tumors, chronic or excessive exposure to x-rays or radioactive substances, general ill health, poor diet, and stress. The most frequent cause however is naturally occurring variations in ovulatory patterns or polycystic syndrome, a condition in which the ovaries fail to respond to follicle-stimulating hormone.

Difficulty with tubal transport usually occurs because scarring has developed in the fallopian tubes. This is typically caused by chronic salpingitis or chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. Tumors such as fibromas may also be cause or infertility when they cause blockage in the entrance of the fallopian tubes into the uterus or limit the space available on the uterine wall for effective implantation. Endometriosis involves the implantation of uterine endometrium, or nodules that have spread from the interior of the uterus to locations outside the uterus. Infection of the reproductive organs from present or previous diseases may cause complications causing infertility.

Commonly used treatments for Infertility

Management of infertility focuses on the correction of any underlying problem that is discovered upon assessment. If correction of these problems does not produce any favourable results, infertility is managed through achieving conception by assisted reproductive technologies.

Reducing the presence of Infection

If an infection is contributing to the fertility problem, the infection will be treated according to the causative organism based on culture reports.  Vaginal infections such as trichomoniasis and monoliasis tend to recur, requiring close supervision and follow-up. The sexual partner also needs to be assessed and treated for possible cross infection.

Hormone Therapy

If the problem appears to be a disturbance of ovulation and its associated hormones, hormone replacement therapy may be initiated. Blood tests are usually done in order to check for the serum levels of the most important reproductive hormones and the imbalance is corrected based upon the values obtained. Men also benefit from hormone therapy. They may be advised to take certain hormone supplements to improve sperm count and mobility.

Surgery

If a myoma or obstructions of the vans deferens which inhibit sperm to travel through the cervix are the causes for infertility, surgery may be performed in order to remove or correct the abnormality.  For problems of abnormal uterine formation, such as a separate uterus, surgery is also available. Surgery may be done either by laparoscopy or laser.

Assisted Reproductive Techniques

Artificial Insemination

This procedure involves the instillation of sperm into the female reproductive tract to aid conception. The sperm, either from the husband or a donor sperm, can be instilled into the cervix or directly into the uterus. The insemination is usually done during ovulation, when the likelihood of fertilization is highest. Once the sperm is injected, the couple waits for conception to take place naturally thereafter.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In IVF, one or more mature oocytes are removed from a woman’s ovary by laparoscopy and fertilized by exposure to sperm under laboratory conditions outside the woman’s body. About 40 hours after fertilization, the laboratory-grown fertilized ova are inserted into the woman’s uterus, where ideally one or more of them will implant and grow.
IVF is most often used for couples who have not been able to conceive because the woman has blocked or damaged fallopian tubes. It is also used when the man has a low sperm count.

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer

In this procedure, ova are obtained from the ovaries exactly as in IVF. Instead of waiting for fertilization to occur in the laboratory, however, both ova and sperm are instilled within a matter of hours, using a laparoscopic technique, into the open end of a patent fallopian tube. Fertilization then occurs in the tube, and the zygote moves into the uterus for implantation. This procedure has a pregnancy rate equal to that of IVF.

Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer

Zygote intrafallopian transfer involves oocyte retrieval by transvaginal, ultrasound-guided aspiration, followed by culture and insemination of the oocytes in the laboratory. Within 24 hours, the fertilized eggs are transferred by laparoscopic technique into the end of a waiting fallopian tube.

Surrogate Embryo Transfer

Surrogate embryo transfer is an assisted reproductive technique for a woman who does not ovulate. The process involves use of an oocyte that has been donated by a friend or relative or provided by an anonymous donor. The menstrual cycles of the donor and recipient are synchronized by administration of gonadotropic hormones. At the time of ovulation, the donor’s ovum is removed by a transvaginal, ultrasound-guided procedure. The oocyte is then fertilized by the recipient woman’s male partner’s sperm and placed in the recipient woman’s uterus by embryonic transfer. Once pregnancy occurs, it progresses the same as unassisted pregnancy.

Reduce Stress

Anxiety and worry can cause imbalances in your hormones and directly affect their proper functioning. When an imbalance happens, the ovaries are compromised and the likelihood of producing a healthy egg ready to be fertilized slims down. Stress can be managed by taking yoga meditation classes, doing light exercise or sleeping. It is important for the body to be properly rested in order to maintain its normal daily functions.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol

Much can be benefited from abstinence of caffeine and alcohol. Ideally, intake of these should be stopped three months prior to trying. The harmful effects of these two substances cannot be overemphasized. These can decrease blood flow to the vital organs, thereby causing an upset in the hormones and inhibiting nourishment to the uterus.

Dietary Modifications

A healthy, well balanced diet is equally important in maintaining a body suitable and healthy enough for conception. However, to increase your chances further, several foods can be taken which are thought to aid in increasing fertility. Alkaline foods such as cabbages, brussel sprouts and broccoli help maintain the alkaline environment of the uterus and help keep sperm alive as sperm easily die in an acidic environment. Since acidic fruits such as oranges and lemons are high in vitamin C, a nutrient essential in increasing fertility, these can be best taken only after menses and up to ovulation so as not to interfere with the potential fertilization. After ovulation and up to the first day of menses, alkalinic foods should be increased in consumption. It is believed that alkalinic foods help promote the slippery type of cervical mucus which helps sperm easily swim through the cervix and up to the vagina.

Essential fatty acids are also important as they play a vital role to egg production. Foods rich in essential fatty acids include flaxseed or pumpkin seed oils, fish, nuts, and vegetables such ar turnips and beets.

When choosing your food, make sure these are organic. Organic foods are required for optimal hormone functioning as these are free from the harmful chemicals and pesticides.

Chinese Traditional Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine has long been used and practiced for centuries, but it is only until recently that its use is fast on the rise. Many couples who opt for more natural ways of treating fertility are looking into TCM such as the use of certain fertility herbs, acupuncture, aromatherapy and femoral massages. Success rate remain high, as these methods help hormonal communication, nourish the reproductive system and correct imbalances.

Herbal Therapy

There are a number of herbs that are attributed to improving fertility. Among these is the dong quai root, a revered Chinese herb that has long been used to treat a multitude of symptoms. It helps treat infertility by increasing blood circulation to the reproductive organs, thereby nourishing them.
Several herbs may be mixed together to make an infusion and to potentiate its effects on fertility. These herbs include chasteberry, red clover, ginseng, licorice root and many others. Likewise, companies are placing herbal supplement out in the market in the form of capsules and teas which can then be easily consumed by buyers.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves sticking long, thin needles into different pressure points which are thought to have a direct impact on specific organ systems in the body. Its proponents claim that it relieves pain, treats infertility, treats or prevents diseases and promote general health. Acupuncture is believed to relieve obstructed energy flow, thereby increasing energy and circulation to target organs. An individual can benefit from acupuncture because of the potential effects of improved ovarian and follicular function. Additionally, it is shown that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the endometrium, helping to facilitate a thick, rich lining.

Aromatherapy

Certain essential oils have been regarded in aromatherapy as having estrogenic properties and produce mild regulatory effects on the female reproductive system. Some of these oils include aniseed, fennel, geranium, sage, lemongrass and melissa. The main purpose of these essential oils is to restore menstrual flow in cases of amenorrhea or irregular periods and to treat hormonal imbalances.

It is important to keep in mind that alternative therapies and TCM don’t treat specific causes of infertility the way modern medicine and advanced technologies do. However, its aim to get both partners in optimum condition so conception can happen in a natural, healthy way. These alternative methods offer the best chance at changing one’s lifestyle for the better. TCM can help create the mental and emotional health required to produce healthy eggs and sperm, and ensure a welcoming environment in order for the fertilized eggs to implant and grow. By focusing on the total well-being of the person, all other body systems benefit positively.

There is certainly no specific magic cure to infertility. But with the number of alternatives readily available, this impediment can be easily overcome in order to pave a straight path towards childbearing. It is most certainly interesting to note the alternative methods provide the least expensive techniques while ensuring that both body and mind are in top shape. It is surprising therefore, that most couples who seek infertility run to radical and advanced technologies, when in fact, they should be taking care of their bodies first and the rest will follow. It is our belief that one should take the natural, healthier steps toward childbearing – and consider scientific methods as the last resort.