What is Infertility

Although more common than most may realize, infertility isn’t typically something that people think about until they aren’t getting pregnant as quickly as they had anticipated.  I’m not an exception.  Before experiencing infertility, I wasn’t aware of very many people that had been affected by it, and if I was, I didn’t understand the struggle of it.  It wasn’t until my husband and I weren’t getting pregnant as easily as we had hoped, that I began to notice so many others that were in the same boat as we were.  As many as 1 in 8 couples experience infertility, whether it be through having difficulty conceiving or difficulty sustaining a healthy pregnancy.¹ Chances are, if you’re not the one who is diagnosed with infertility, you know at least one person, if not more, that is.    

Infertility is recognized as a disease where the male and/or female reproductive systems do not function correctly.² Not only does it affect individuals physically, but it can really take an emotional toll on them as well.  Depression and anxiety are common with couples that are faced with infertility, as they often feel a sense of failure, which then impacts their overall self-esteem.³ 

So what determines whether or not a person is diagnosed with infertility?  Most couples generally get pregnant within 6 months of trying. This number then increases to 90% of couples after 12 months of trying.  Individuals are typically diagnosed with infertility if they are unable to conceive after a year of trying without any form of birth control, after six months if the woman is older than 35, or if they are unable to sustain a pregnancy through live birth.⁴  

The main and most obvious sign of infertility is not being able to get pregnant.⁵ However, there are many other signs that one may consider, especially if thinking about going to see a doctor prior than trying for the full recommended year. These include:

·      For females…

o   Irregular menstruation

o   Previously known fertility problems

o   Being over 40 years old (over 35 if you’ve been trying for 6 months)

o   A diagnosis of endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease

o   Recurrent miscarriages

o   Having had cancer treatments

·       For males…

o    Previous known problems with sperm or low sperm count

o    Scrotum swelling,

o   A previous vasectomy

o   Problems with ejaculation

o   Having had cancer treatment

This covers only a small aspect of infertility.  We will cover many more topics such as different diagnostic testing, diagnoses, treatments, individual experiences, diet, and so much more throughout this blog. 

References:

¹Mayo Clinic Staff.  (2014, July 2).  Definition.  Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infertility/basics/definition/con-20034770

²Fast Facts About Infertility.  (2015, April 19).  Retrieved from http://www.resolve.org/about/fast-facts-about-fertility.html

³Hidden No More: The Hidden Emotions of Infertility.  (2015).  Retrieved from http://www.resolve.org/about-infertility/what-is-infertility/hidden-no-more-the-hidden-emotions-of-infertility.html

⁴Mayo Clinic Staff.  (2014, July 2).  Symptoms.  Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infertility/basics/symptoms/con-20034770

⁵Mayo Clinic Staff.  (2014, July 2).  Symptoms.