HOW TO INCREASE THE POSSIBILITIES OF PREGNANCY

Possible obstacles and the tests you need

It can be frustrating when friends and relatives keep asking when you plan to start a family. It can be even worse when everyone around you seems to get pregnant without even trying. But you are not alone. According to Resolve, The National Infertility Association, infertility affects 1 in 8 couples in the US — that is, 12.5 percent. In this article, we describe the possible obstacles that prospective parents may encounter as they pursue their dream of starting a family.

The Alexandros Traianos Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine holds all the international accreditations, the necessary experience and the right scientific partners, so do not hesitate to book an appointment if you have questions or need more information.

When your attempts to get pregnant are unsuccessful and you begin to feel desperate and lost, know that there are many treatments that can help you achieve your dream of starting a family. Continuous advances in assisted reproductive technologies, many of which are performed at our Centre, give fertility specialists the research, tools and protocols they need to help prospective parents overcome their obstacles, so that they can make plans to start their own family.

More often than not, couples who are struggling to achieve a pregnancy may be unaware of an underlying condition, in one or both partners, that may be preventing conception. That is why it is important for each partner to be assessed by a reproductive specialist as soon as possible.

If you are a woman aged up to 35 and have been having unprotected intercourse with your partner for more than a year without getting pregnant, it is time for you both to see a fertility specialist. Women over 35 and their partners should see a specialist after six months of trying, or sooner, as there is a greater likelihood of age-related fertility problems.

Ageing and fertility

The primary reason women struggle to get pregnant as they get older is that the quality and quantity of a woman's eggs, or "ovarian reserve", declines over time. A woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have in her life, between 1 and 2 million, but by the time she reaches puberty this number has fallen to about 300,000 and, of these, only about 300–400 will be ovulated during her reproductive life .

Age is also a factor for men, as sperm count declines over time. However, men can have problems with sperm count, shape and motility at a young age. In fact, fertility problems are linked to men as often as to women, which is why it is important for both partners to consult a reproductive medicine specialist if they are having trouble conceiving.

Identifying medical obstacles to pregnancy

While some cases of infertility are unexplained, most obstacles to pregnancy can be identified with a few basic tests. They may sound simple, but a semen analysis for the man and a blood test and transvaginal ultrasound for the woman — often the first tests a fertility doctor will order — yield a huge amount of information about a patient.

Blood tests

Blood tests reveal not only blood type but also the hormone levels in a woman's body and how they relate to her fertility. The two most important hormones doctors check are Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) .

Semen analysis

Semen analysis is a simple microscopic examination of a man's semen to obtain information about his sperm.

Many men feel embarrassed about this test, but it can be done by collecting a sample at the clinic or at home if that is more comfortable. Doctors check sperm count, motility and morphology, along with other factors.

A low sperm count can often be traced to either low or extremely elevated testosterone levels, certain medications, a blocked duct, or medical conditions that cause sperm to flow back into the bladder.

Since many conditions can be treated, men with concerns may wish to speak to one of the urologists our Centre works with, who specialise in treating a wide range of male-related conditions.

Physical examination

For a woman, a physical examination usually includes a routine transvaginal ultrasound, often performed at the first visit. This allows a basic assessment of the uterus and ovaries and can detect cysts or fibroids.

It is also important to check the fallopian tubes, so the reproductive medicine specialist may order a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to look at them, as any blockage would explain why sperm cannot reach the egg during natural attempts to get pregnant. An HSG can be performed during the first two weeks of the menstrual cycle.

A physical examination for the man is similar to an annual check-up, but with a more detailed discussion of his medical history, so that the doctor can check for abnormalities related to fertility.

Some conditions can be resolved with medication or minor procedures.

However, for patients with chronic or untreatable conditions, doctors usually recommend In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment, as IVF can bypass many medical problems. The close monitoring and evidence-based protocols that IVF treatment offers can give patients a viable, safe and successful path to achieving their family-building goals when their efforts prove difficult.

*The content of this blog is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have about medical conditions.