^{Understanding Your Fertility}

While it is often assumed that infertility is a female issue, the fact is that infertility is just as common among men.
About one third of infertility issues are female, one third are male and the remaining one third are described as non-specific, arising from
combined male-female issues or of unknown causes.

How long, on average, does it take a couple to conceive once they start trying?
Conception should normally take place between six months and one year with unprotected intercourse.
About 85% of all couples will get pregnant within a year, although women aged 35 and older should not wait that long before seeking help.

How does one know if there might be a problem?
If conception does not occur naturally in spite of a healthy amount of intercourse at the time of the woman's most fertile period, there might be a problem. Women under 35 should try for a year before alarm bells go off. Older women face the reality of overall reduced fertility, and should see a doctor if they’ve not pregnant within three to six months, because the longer they wait, the lower their chances of conceiving.

How will the doctor find out the cause of the infertility?
For both parties, there is a physical examination and a very thorough review of your medical, sexual and family history. Sometimes this reveals the cause, but in most cases, more investigation is required.

Men undergo both semen and blood tests. The first will test the quality of the sperm, while the blood test will reveal hormone-related and medical issues, and possibly genetic ones as well.

For women, the first step is to findout if she is ovulating every month, and this is done by tracking temperature changes over a few months, or through blood tests, which also help to determine hormone levels and medical conditions. Sometimes internal examinations are done to check for physical causes such as endometriosis, growths and scar tissue.

The most common causes of infertility?

Men:  Varicocele, which happens when the veins on a man’s testicle/s are large and heat the testicles, which affects the number or shape of sperm. Other causes are any factors that cause reduced production of sperm, and injuries or any other kind of damage to the reproductive system.

Women: Ovulation problems, often because of a hormone imbalance which can interfere with normal ovulation. Without it, there are no eggs to be fertilised. Other possible causes include blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, surgery for an ectopic pregnancy, and problems with the uterus and fibroids.

How is infertility treated?

By various means, from medication and surgery, to artificial insemination and assisted reproductive techniques. Sometimes treatments are combined, and the decision will rest on several factors, among them the test results, the age and health of the couple, how long they have been trying to conceive and of course, their personal preference for treatment based on the pros and cons of each approach.

What are the success rates for the most commonly used fertility treatments?
Success rates vary depending on many factors, such as the age of the couple and the cause of the infertility. For women under 35, the success rate can be as high as 35%, but it drops to 30% in women aged 35-37, and drops further to about 20% for those aged 37 to 40. It suffers a further drop to about 10% for women in their early 40s. 
While fertility treatments can be time-consuming and stressful, they do make it possible for a couple to conceive where they might otherwise not be able to.

Begin your fertility journey and book your appointment today for our GAIA Fertility Package.
For enquiries, call 6354 3003 or send us a message through our website.