Infertility Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) & Reproductive Health
Infertility frequently asked questions / infertility FAQs
- What is infertility?
- Do only women suffer infertility?
- How common is infertility?
- When should a couple see a doctor?
- What causes infertility?
- What increases the risk of infertility?
- How is infertility diagnosed?
- How is infertility treated?
- How can Ayurveda help you?
- What are the ways to boost your fertility?
Infertility Frequently Asked Questions : Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) by people related to infertility
What is infertility?
In simple words, not being able to get pregnant or conceive after one year (or longer) of sexual intercourse without any contraceptives is called infertility. As it is known that fertility in women begins to decline with age; so for women older than 35 years of age, no pregnancy within 6 months of unprotected sex can be a strong sign of infertility.
There are several steps involved in the process of pregnancy, for instance:
- An egg must be released from one of her ovaries
- Man’s sperm must join the egg [usually] in the fallopian tube
- The egg must go through the fallopian tube and reach the uterus
- The implantation of the egg must take place into the endometrium
- The endometrium must carry the egg till its complete growth
Infertility can take place if any of the mentioned steps does not go right. Pregnancy is achieved through the contribution of both partners. If one is infertile, pregnancy will not occur.
(Read More – How To Increase Sperm Count in Hindi)
Do only women suffer infertility?
It is a woman who gets pregnant. The uterus of a woman carries and nurtures a fertilized egg. There are still people who think if a woman is not getting pregnant, something is wrong with her. They never give it a thought that her male partner could also be infertile.
A man can also be infertile. If a woman’s male partner is infertile, she cannot get pregnant. That is why, if a couple is facing infertility, they both should see a doctor.
How common is infertility?
According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), in developing countries, one in every four couples is affected by infertility. It is a serious health condition worldwide, affecting around between 8% and 10% of couples worldwide.
However, it is also true that many infertile couples succeed in achieving a pregnancy after some time without any medical intervention. Many succeed with some medical intervention. For a small number of infertile couples, it becomes difficult to get pregnant naturally.
When should a couple see a doctor?
It is said that after 30 years of age a woman’s fertility begins to decline every year. So, if a woman is older than 35 and has not become pregnant after six months of unprotected sex, she should see a doctor.
For a woman younger than 35 with regular periods and no health problems, she should see a doctor if she has failed to conceive after one year of unprotected sex. The sooner a man or a woman with fertility problems consults a doctor, the better it is.
What causes infertility?
Causes of infertility in men
- Low sperm count
- Anxiety/ depression
- Low motility of sperm
- Low sperm count
- Varicocele
- Diabetes or obesity
- Bad sperm quality
- Injury to testicles or scrotum
- Lack of vitamins
- Surgery in the groin, scrotum, testicles, penis or other reproductive organs
Causes of infertility in women
- Lack of vitamins
- Obesity or diabetes
- Malnutrition
- Depression/anxiety
- Primary ovarian failure (POF)
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Irregular menstruation
- Fibroids
- Early menopause
- Pelvic adhesions
- Fibroids
- Ovulation disorders
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- Age
- Endometriosis
- Structural problems in the reproductive system
What increases the risk of infertility?
The following things may increase the risk of infertility.
- Age
- Alcohol use
- Tobacco or recreational drugs
- Being overweight
- Being underweight
- Environment pollutants
- Lack of physical activity
- Radiotherapy or radiation
- Eating a lot of junk food and avoiding healthy food
- Certain medicines
How is infertility diagnosed?
Tests for women
- Ovarian reserve testing
- Ovulation testing
- Hysterosalpingography
- Imaging tests
- Hormonal testing
- Hysteroscopy
- Laparoscopy
Tests for men
- Hormone testing
- Semen analysis
- Imaging tests
- Testicular biopsy
- Genetic testing
- Other tests
How is Infertility Treated?
Most infertility cases are treated through drugs or by repairing the reproductive organs. Some women also choose to become pregnant through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI).
How can Ayurveda help you?
The science of Ayurveda can help you get rid of your infertility. It can help you in several ways as it can not only cure infertility but also improve your reproductive health with its therapies, herbs, lifestyle tips, yoga exercises and meditation.
In uttar basti which is an ayurvedic therapy, a medicinal decoction is directly sent into the reproductive organs through the vagina (in females) and through the urethra (in males) for curing the reproductive organs.
What are the ways to boost your fertility?
There are several ways that can help both men and women enhance their fertility.
- Have a bigger breakfast
- Eat antioxidant-rich foods
- Avoid trans fat and junk food too
- Eat more fiber
- Take vitamins and protein if needed
- Do yoga or exercise
- Avoid high amounts of caffeine
- Avoid too much alcohol
- Maintain your iron levels
- Eat healthy food
- Take natural dietary supplements if needed
- Sleep well
- Relax because it keeps your anxiety under control
- Do not use chemical-based lubricants during sex
- Do not consume neem as it is also a spermicide
If you need help, talk to an infertility specialist doctor for the correct diagnosis and treatment. A specialist ayurvedic doctor can also provide you health benefits in several different ways because Ayurveda is not only about the cure but also about keeping the body, the mind and the spirit in balance.
(Read More – Fallopian Tube Blockage and Pregnancy in Hindi)
