What Should You Know About Infertility

It’s not easy to admit that you can’t get pregnant. You may already know what the problem is, or it may be something hidden and shameful you haven’t even considered yet. Infertility is a complex subject, no matter how old you are. Still, there are lots of resources for anyone who wants help with the emotional side of fertility issues, as well as treatments and procedures to try if your doctor has ruled out any medical causes. In Newport Beach, CA, you can approach professional infertility experts. Newport Beach infertility centers will offer a solution based on the infertility problem you have.

What is Infertility and What Causes It?

Infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant after at least one year of unprotected sex. Many infertile women will have regular periods but have not had any luck with conception. Often, infertility problems are related to a woman’s age or the quality of her eggs, which decrease in number and quality over time. Sexually transmitted diseases, stress, environmental toxins, and smoking are some other common causes of infertility.

What Is the Average Infertility Window?

A woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have. Every month approximately one egg matures in her ovaries. Once it matures, it begins its journey down to the uterus through the fallopian tube, but it won’t get very far if nothing is waiting to meet it. 

The average woman has a three-month window of fertility from the time she starts menstruating until her last period, in which pregnancy can occur and be carried to term. The trick is, you’re only at your most fertile in the six days leading up to ovulation. The day of ovulation and the three days following ovulation are your best bet for conception.

Infertility Risks, No matter How Healthy You Are

Most women feel that infertility problems are due to their lifestyle or medical history at some point during their quest for pregnancy. They may think they’ve done something wrong which has led directly to infertility, but this isn’t always the case. 

A healthy lifestyle and an excellent medical history reduce your risk of infertility. Still, these factors can make it more challenging to diagnose a fertility problem early enough for treatment options to be effective.

Types of Infertility Treatment

There are many different types of infertility treatments available today, borrowing from medical advances and alternative therapies. A doctor will help you determine the most effective infertility treatment for your condition. Several procedures can be prescribed in different combinations depending on your diagnosis.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is one of the most popular fertility treatments using donated eggs or donor sperm. IVF involves special laboratory procedures that are more complex than they used to be but no less effective.

The process involves monitoring your reproductive system through diagnostic evaluations and medical tests. Stages of the procedure include ovarian stimulation with fertility drugs, egg retrieval, fertilization of an egg outside of the body with sperm in a laboratory dish, transfer of one or more embryos back into the uterus.

Infertility can be a complex subject for anyone, but getting pregnant with proper education and the right support system in place is possible. If you’re struggling to conceive or experiencing other fertility-related symptoms like irregular periods or pain, don’t hesitate to reach out for help from an expert specializing in infertility treatment.