FAQ's About Infertility...Part One
Infertility is an emotional laden issue that can also be embarrassing to discuss with others. Some people even have a difficult time speaking with their doctors about the problem. It is important to note that no one is to blame for infertility, just like no one is to blame for leukemia or diabetes. Infertility is a major issue and is not a small
problem to be brushed aside an inconvenience. Infertility is "a disease of the reproductive system that impairs the body's ability to perform the basic function of reproduction." Let's look at some frequently asked questions regarding infertility.
What exactly is infertility any way?
Infertility is "the inability to naturally conceive a child or to carry a pregnancy to full term." The majority of medical experts will not classify a person and/or a couple as infertile until they have been trying for at least a year to get pregnant without any success. Women who find themselves able to become pregnant but then have repeat miscarriages are often classified as being infertile. There are numerous reasons why a couple may find themselves unable to conceive a child and medical help is often required.
How many people in the United States are infertile?
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine estimates that 6.1 million individuals residing in the United States are infertile. This works out to be approximately ten percent of those of reproductive age. One third of the time it is due to a male factor, the other third of the time it is a female factor, the problem co-existing between the man and the woman accounts for the problem 15 percent of the time while there are still other instances where the cases of infertility is mysterious and unexplained.
More Infertility Info
Infertility is an unfortunate circumstance that affects the reproductive system and impairs the ability to conceive children. It is estimated that 6.1 people throughout the United States are infertile. Conception and bringing a pregnancy to term are both very complicated and both depend upon a variety of factors. First of all both are dependence on a man's ability to produce healthy and viable sperm while they are both also dependent on a woman's ability to produce healthy eggs. infertility drug Conception and pregnancy are also contingent on the fact that the fallopian tubes need to be unblocked in order to facilitate the sperm meeting the egg. Another important factor is the sperm's ability to penetrate and then fertilize an egg once they have made contact. Finally the last two factors are the ability of the fertilized egg, which is developing into an embryo to properly implant itself to the lining of the uterus and the ability for the embryo to develop as it is supposed to do.
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How is infertility diagnosed in men?
A doctor will perform a thorough physical exam on a man and will consider his past medical history as well as the current status of his health. The man may need to undergo blood tests that look for a variety of diseases or hormonal imbalances. If those yield nothing out of the ordinary then a semen sample will need to be taken. The sample will assess the volume of semen the man has as well as the number of sperm and how mobile the sperm are. The contents of the scrotum will need to be palpated while the patient is standing up while the peritesticular area need also be scrutinized. Some things a doctor will look for are irregularities of the epididymis, tenderness or the presence of cysts.
How is infertility diagnosed in women?
The search for infertility must begin with a look at medical history and current health as well as a complete physical. Very often other kinds of medical tests are also needed such as an endometrial biopsy which tests the
health of the uterine lining, hormone tests which measure the balance of female hormones, measurements of how well the thyroid is functioning (a TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone level that lies somewhere between one and two is believed to be right for pregnancy to take place) and a laparoscopy which makes it possible for the physician to see all of the pelvic organs. A measurement of the hormone progesterone is sometimes taken when a woman is in the second half of her menstrual cycle in order to confirm that ovulation has definitely taken place. Current Infertility News
01/06/2009
Outbreak fears spur disease test for horse in Oklahoma (The Oklahoman)
Agriculture officials are testing an Oklahoma horse for a venereal disease that hasn’t had an outbreak in nearly 30 years, the state veterinarian said Monday.The horse is being tested for contagious equine metritis, a contagious disease that can cause infertility in mares, said Becky Brewer. The horse has been quarantined until the results are available, probably at the end of next week, ...
Outbreak fears spur disease test for horse in Oklahoma (The Oklahoman)
01/03/2009
Vatican blames the pill for male infertility (News Interactive)
SCIENTISTS have rejected claims the contraceptive pill is polluting the environment and contributes to male infertility.
Vatican blames the pill for male infertility (News Interactive)
01/05/2009
Officials warn of horse disease (Tulsa World)
OKLAHOMA CITY -- State agriculture officials are warning horse breeders in the state of a rare and contagious disease that can cause infertility in mares.
Officials warn of horse disease (Tulsa World)
01/05/2009
Officials warn of horse disease (Tulsa World)
OKLAHOMA CITY -- State agriculture officials are warning horse breeders in the state of a rare and contagious disease that can cause infertility in mares.
Officials warn of horse disease (Tulsa World)
01/02/2009
Bill would make insurance companies cover infertility treatments (Columbia Missourian)
JEFFERSON CITY — With Missouri men recording low sperm counts, one Missouri legislator is proposing a bill that would require health insurance companies to pay for infertility diagnosis and treatments. "We spend millions upon millions of dollars trying to assist people, even in terminal situations with cancer, with a lot of different things," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Steve Hodges , ...
Bill would make insurance companies cover infertility treatments (Columbia Missourian)
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