What do infertile couples do

Female infertility: Evaluation and management. In: Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; Accessed April 27, Clinical management of male infertility. Accessed March 25, Wein AJ, et al. Male infertility. In: Campbell-Walsh Urology. Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed May 5, Frequently asked questions. Gynecologic problems FAQ Treating infertility. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Infertility FAQs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Accessed May 2, Kuohung W, et al. Overview of infertility. Evans-Hoeker EA, et al. Major depression, antidepressant use, and male and female infertility. Fertility and Sterility. Evaluating infertility. Lobo RA. Infertility: Etiology, diagnostic evaluation, management, prognosis.

In: Comprehensive Gynecology. Treatments for female infertility. Committee Opinion No. Reaffirmed Hornstein MD, et al. Optimizing natural fertility in couples planning pregnancy.

Male infertility adult. Rochester, Minn. Ibanez-Perez J, et al. An update on the implication of physical activity on semen quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Assisted reproductive technologies: A guide for patients. Anawalt B, et al. Treatments for male infertility. Accessed May 4, Although advanced age plays a much more important role in predicting female infertility, couples in which the male partner is 40 years old or older are more likely to report difficulty conceiving.

Being overweight or obese. Excessive alcohol use. Use of marijuana. Exposure to testosterone. This may occur when a doctor prescribes testosterone injections, implants, or topical gel for low testosterone, or when a man takes testosterone or similar medications illicitly for the purposes of increasing their muscle mass. Exposure to radiation. Frequent exposure of the testes to high temperatures, such as that which may occur in men confined to a wheelchair, or through frequent sauna or hot tub use.

Exposure to certain medications such as flutamide, cyproterone, bicalutamide, spironolactone, ketoconazole, or cimetidine. Exposure to environmental toxins including exposure to pesticides, lead, cadmium, or mercury. What causes infertility in women? Some women with PCOS have elevated levels of testosterone, which can cause acne and excess hair growth.

PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility. Diminished ovarian reserve external icon DOR. Women are born with all of the eggs that they will ever have, and the number of eggs declines naturally over time. Diminished ovarian reserve is a condition in which there are fewer eggs remaining in the ovaries than expected for a given age.

It may occur due to congenital, medical, surgical, or unexplained causes. Women with diminished ovarian reserve may be able to conceive naturally but will produce fewer eggs in response to fertility treatments. Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea FHA. FHA is a condition caused by excessive exercise, weight loss, stress, or often a combination of these factors. It is sometimes associated with eating disorders such as anorexia. Improper function of the hypothalamus and pituitary glands.

The hypothalamus and pituitary glands in the brain produce hormones that maintain normal ovarian function.

Production of too much of the hormone prolactin by the pituitary gland often as the result of a benign pituitary gland tumor , or improper function of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, may cause a woman not to ovulate. Premature ovarian insufficiency external icon POI.

Although certain exposures, such as chemotherapy or pelvic radiation therapy, and certain medical conditions may cause POI, the cause is often unexplained.

Menopause external icon. Menopause is an age-appropriate decline in ovarian function that usually occurs around age By definition, a woman in menopause has not had a period for at least one year.

She may experience hot flashes, mood changes, difficulty sleeping, and other symptoms as well. Fallopian tube obstruction whether fallopian tubes are open, blocked, or swollen Risk factors for blocked fallopian tubes external icon tubal occlusion can include a history of pelvic infection, history of ruptured appendicitis, history of gonorrhea or chlamydia , known endometriosis external icon , or a history of abdominal surgery.

Hysterosalpingogram is an X-ray of the uterus and fallopian tubes. A radiologist injects dye into the uterus through the cervix and simultaneously takes X-ray pictures to see if the dye moves freely through fallopian tubes. This helps evaluate tubal caliber diameter and patency. Chromopertubation is similar to an HSG but is done in the operating room at the time of a laparoscopy.

Blue-colored dye is passed through the cervix into the uterus and spillage and tubal caliber shape is evaluated. What increases a woman's risk of infertility? Female fertility is known to decline with Age. About 1 in 6 couples in which the woman is 35 and older have fertility problems.

Aging decreases fertility because older women have fewer eggs left, the eggs are less healthy, and the woman is more likely to have health conditions that can cause fertility problems. Extreme weight gain or loss. Excessive physical or emotional stress that results in amenorrhea absent periods. How long should couples try to get pregnant before seeing a doctor? So, couples with the following signs or symptoms should not delay seeing their health care provider when they are trying to become pregnant: Irregular periods or no menstrual periods.

Very painful periods. Endometriosis external icon. Pelvic inflammatory disease. More than one miscarriage. Suspected male factor i. How will doctors find out if a woman and her partner have fertility problems?

How do doctors treat infertility? Doctors recommend specific treatments for infertility on the basis of: The factors contributing to the infertility. The duration of the infertility. The age of the female. What are some of the specific treatments for male infertility?

What medicines are used to treat infertility in women? It is often used in women who have polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS external icon or other problems with ovulation.

Couples may disagree on whether to take a short break from testing and treatment. They may disagree on whether to keep trying or move on for good. They may disagree on whether to pursue adoption or live a childfree life. When the question of using a donor or surrogate arises, decision making becomes even more difficult and complex.

This is why almost all fertility clinics require couples to speak to a fertility counselor before pursuing donor or surrogate fertility treatments. While some research has found that men and women faced with infertility may be more likely to feel dissatisfied with themselves and their marriages, other studies have found that it can bring couples closer together. Here are ways you can lower tensions and cope better as a couple. Talk to each other. Share fears. While it can be terrifying to bring up, you will likely be relieved when your partner assures you that infertility is not going to send them away.

The key is finding balance. Be willing to talk, or be willing to talk about it less, depending on which side of the coin you fall. Especially in the midst of fertility testing and treatment, infertility can shadow everything in your life.

You may not remember what you talked about before your fertility challenges hit. Make an effort to connect in other ways. Yes, this will likely require actual effort. Think back to what you did during your dating days. Or, pursue a new hobby or activity together. Sit down and make a list of things to do together. Reclaim it back from infertility, and make it about intimacy and love again. This, too, will take effort. Everyone copes differently. Not everyone wears their emotions on their sleeves.

At the same time, what looks like an overreaction to you may be perfectly normal for them. This also brings up the issue of the Pain Olympics.

That person may or may not be your partner. Emotional pain is emotional pain. Offering each other support—without preconditions or comparisons—is the path to peace. Shame does keep many individuals and couples from reach out for support. However, research has found that couples that receive social support have improved relationships.

You can decide to share the information with only specific friends or family members. Research has found that putting together a practical plan of action helps improve marital satisfaction, especially for men. You may not really know how long your struggle will be or what testing or treatments will be needed. However, you can at least make short-term plans.

You can also make flexible plans. Putting together financial plans—especially a savings plan—is a smart choice. The sooner you start putting money aside, the better. No harm done. Does one of you want to tell others about the infertility, while the other wants to keep it secret? Decide together on a select group of people who can be social supports. One of you wants to stop for good, while the other wants to keep going?

Compromise by taking a temporary break instead, with plans to discuss moving forward when that break is over. A counselor can help you communicate and reach mutual agreements.

You may assume that counseling is only for those considering divorce, or situations of clinical depression or anxiety. This is a myth. Counseling is for everyone who can use some extra help with stress or a difficult situation. Whether you see a therapist as an individual, or as a couple, it can help. You may or may not have children one day. Research has found that feelings of depression and anxiety peak around three years post-infertility diagnosis. However, six years post-diagnosis, couples are feeling stronger, and depression and anxiety symptoms lessen.

Your relationship can survive this tough—but temporary—challenge. With time, and possibly counseling, your trying to conceive years can bring you closer together.