Infertility Overview
According to the CDC, infertility affects an estimated 6% of married women between the ages of 15 and 44 years old and 12% of women regardless of marital status. Infertility is a problem that disrupts the lives of a significant portion of the population.
Causes
Infertility may be caused by a problem or condition in a woman’s ovaries, fallopian tubes or uterus. As a woman needs all of these organs to be functioning correctly to conceive, a condition with any of these can cause infertility.
Increased Risk
Age is one of the largest factors when it comes to infertility in women. As a woman ages, fertility is known to decline steadily, which makes it more difficult to conceive. Not only does aging decrease fertility; it also increases the chance of miscarriage.
Other factors that can increase infertility in women include:
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Extreme weight fluctuations
- Emotional or physical stress
Evaluations
While you may want to visit a fertility specialist right away, experts suggest waiting a minimum of one year for women under the age of 35. For women over the age of 35, experts suggest seeing a fertility specialist after 6 months of attempts to conceive.
It is also recommended that you speak with a health care provider prior to trying to get pregnant, as this can help answer fertility questions and provide helpful information that will ease the stress and prepare you for the process.
Treatments
Infertility can be treated in a few ways. Treatment is dependent on the specific needs of the patient and the condition.
Infertility treatments generally fall under the following:
Medical Treatments
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Hirsutism
- Ovulatory disorders
Minimally Invasive Surgeries
- Recurrent pregnancy loss
- Endometriosis
- Fibroid tumor
Assisted Reproductive Technology
- In-vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Gamete intra-fallopian transfer
- Zygote intra-fallopian transfer
If you have found it difficult to become pregnant, you should speak with a fertility specialist. Contact us at Wood County Hospital today to set up an appointment with our fertility specialists.
You can also register for our Fertility Seminar to learn more about fertility options.