An Overview of Infertility Issue - Essay Example

It can be described as not being able to get pregnant, despite having regular, unprotected sex for twelve months. A broader definition describes infertility as not being able to carry a pregnancy to term and have a baby. Infertility affects about 6.1 million Americans, which is about 10% of the reproductive age, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (Bradley). Infertility could be due to a single cause in either the man or woman or possibly a combination of factors from both partners that could be preventing pregnancy.

Being infertile is quite different from being sterile. Sterility is when a person is unable to have children altogether; infertility on the other hand simply means it can become quite challenging, rather than impossible, to become pregnant. Infertility affects men and women equally. Conception and pregnancy are complicated processes involving many biologic factors and phases. If becoming pregnant is beginning to become an issue, the woman's gynecologist, the man's urologist, or a family doctor can determine whether or not there is a problem that requires a specialist or clinic that treats several infertility problems.

This is the first step to possibly becoming pregnant and diagnosing the problem. Some infertile couples have more than one cause of their infertility. Thus, an investigation begins to determine the problem and the possible treatments for the diagnosis. Nearly 90% of infertility cases are treatable with medical therapies such as drug treatment, surgical repair of reproductive organs, and assisted reproductive techniques (Tucker). Testing for women to ensure fertility includes confirmation of ovulation, hysterosalpingography, laparoscopy, and ovarian testing to name a few.

Some tests that men undergo to explain the reasons behind their infertility include hormone testing, semen testing, and a general physical exam. Depending on the circumstance and person, additional testing may be necessary to determine an accurate diagnosis. In some infertile cases, no specific cause is found, which is referred to as unexplained infertility. Couples who receive this diagnosis often seek multiple healthcare providers in addition to other sources to find answers (Harms). Evaluation can be expensive, and in some cases involve operations and uncomfortable procedures, and many medical insurers may not reimburse the expenses.

And in the end, there is still no guarantee. After all the testing and counseling, conception may still not ever occur. However, for couples that are eager to have their child, such an evaluation is necessary and may result in a successful pregnancy. Treatment of infertility depends on the cause, the duration of the problem, the age of both partners, and their specific needs. Because fecundity (the ability to conceive) naturally decreases as people grow older, it becomes more difficult to conceive.

Regardless of how infertile one or both of the partners is, it is very important to begin diagnosis and treatment for infertility as early as possible. This is especially true for women who are older than 35 since it's around that age that natural fecundity drops dramatically. Some causes of infertility cannot be corrected.