The holidays are traditionally a time of joy, but
for couples trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant, it can also be a time for
uncomfortable queries and conversations. It often starts with that one
well-intentioned, but often intrusive, question from family and friends: when
are you going to have a baby? It’s a query that can bring unintended pain for
those who have been trying, without success, to get pregnant.
About 12 out of every
100 couples will have trouble getting pregnant. It’s not an uncommon problem,
and it affects both men and women.
There can be many
reasons for reduced fertility including irregular ovulation, endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes or physical problems with
the uterus or other reproductive organs in women, and low or no sperm count in
men. Age, past illness and certain lifestyle factors can also affect the fertility of
both women and men, including smoking, heavy alcohol or drug use, being over-
or underweight, stress and poor diet, among others.
Fertility testing
If you’ve been trying
to get pregnant without success for 12 months, or six months for women older
than 35, it’s a good idea to see your provider for fertility testing. For
women, we take a detailed medical and family history, and perform a pelvic exam
to start. We may also recommend imaging studies to view the fallopian tubes and
other structures to look for potential issues. Men should be tested with a
semen analysis.
Although testing
often reveals where the trouble lies, there are times when no specific cause is
found. The good news is that most infertility issues can be addressed with
medication or surgery.
Unsuccessful attempts
at pregnancy can be hard emotionally, but it’s important to remember no one is
to blame and there are a wide variety of options available to address many of
the most common causes. If you are having trouble getting pregnant, schedule an
appointment and we’ll work with you to diagnose the issue and
develop a treatment plan.
