Infertility: Causes and Treatments
What is infertility? A couple is considered infertile after a year of unprotected intercourse without getting pregnant. Because age is a major cause of infertility, the criteria for women over 34 is 6 months of unprotected intercourse without conceiving. If you’re coping with infertility, you’re not alone. One out of every eight couples in the U.S. is infertile. Of those couples, 40% will find male infertility to be the problem, 40% will discover female infertility is the cause, in 30% of the cases both couples will have problems and the remaining 20% of couples will be diagnosed with unexplained infertility.
If you suspect you are having difficulty conceving than the first step is to schedule an appointment with an infertility specialist, also known as a Reproductive Endocrinologist. You may also need to visit with a Male Reproductive urologist based on your diagnosis. You can find a specialist in your area by searching our online Physician Network. An infertility specialist can help determine your cause of infertility, and recommend infertility treatments. There are numerous treatments for infertility, including less evasive low-tech options such as clomiphene citrate cycles and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) to high-tech procedures like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). These terms might be new to you, but don’t panic. You’ll find a tremendous amount of infertility resources on this website, including video fact sheets on low-tech and high-tech treatments. Likewise, your first visit to an infertility clinic can be overwhelming, so it would be helpful to watch our video fact sheet on Questions to Ask at Your Initial Consultation.
Undergoing infertility treatments is not only physically, but also emotionally challenging. Many couples do not have infertility insurance, and the cost of infertility treatments can be very expensive. You can find articles on our website offering advice on financing for infertility and information on insurance coverage.
Stress and infertility go hand in hand since they both affect each other. Stress can have a negative impact on your chances to get pregnant and dealing with infertility causes stress. Luckily, there are things you can do to help handle emotions during this difficult period. Our online library offers numerous articles on coping with infertility, and our online Therapist Network can help you find infertility counseling from a licensed professional. We also offer information on complementary medicine, such as Acupuncture, and a webinar on Yoga for Infertility.
Dealing with infertility is a huge challenge thousands of couples are facing at this very moment. Luckily, reproductive technology is continuing to advance, more insurance companies are offering infertility coverage and each day more people are becoming parents.
Through our website you will find infertility support and resources in the comfort of your own home. If you can’t find the answer to your question on this website, then please call our toll-free support line at 888-917-3777 to talk with a staff member of The American Fertility Association. Our mission is to support every hopeful parent on their journey to create a family. You may feel like it, but know you are not dealing with infertility alone - not on our watch.