Male Infertility No Longer a Taboo

Many of you had probably heard that June is the national male heath month, but did you know that male infertility is a leading cause in about one-third of infertility cases?

Can Stress Contribute to Infertility?

Stress has become an everyday constant for many individuals. Work, personal life, and other responsibilities keep us awake at night, force us to develop unhealthy habits, and disturb our moods. Add to these the anxieties of trying to get pregnant, and you will see a fair portrayal of many women today. Could this stress affect one’s ability to conceive? In my experience, the answer is: quite possibly so. Many researchers, however, disagree.

Insurance Coverage for Infertility Treatments

For many infertile couples in the United States, the cost of infertility treatment is prohibitive. While many foreign countries, especially those with declining birthrates, subsidize in vitro fertilization (IVF), the United States government has not yet recognized infertility as a disability that warrants greater scrutiny. Luckily for some, however, legislature in 15 states mandates insurers to offer coverage for certain procedures, making infertility treatments more affordable for thousands of families.

Infertility Defined

Unlike sterility, which implies a physiological inability to conceive, infertility is associated with one’s lessened or lost ability to get pregnant and/or stay pregnant and can be either temporary or permanent. One can become infertile even after having produced one or more children. Similarly, a person can conceive and give birth even after years of unsuccessful attempts. It is also possible for a person to never get pregnant or give birth, despite the absence of physiological causes.

Body Weight and Fertility

Are you overweight/underweight and suffering from irregular periods? Have you tried to conceive for months or years with no luck? The link between body mass index (BMI) and fertility should not be ignored. Even though exceptions can always be found, your chances for a successful pregnancy strongly correlate with your BMI.

Years of Infertility

When I was officially diagnosed with primary amenorrhea in my late teens, I was also told I would likely have a problem with fertility. For many years, that was not a concern. By my early thirties, however, I had already decided that I wanted to be a mother. That’s when I learned how true the doctor’s words were.

Reproductive Endocrinologists:

Infertility Specialists Who Might Have an Answer for You

Have you and your partner tried to conceive for over a year with no success? Are you over 35? Do you have a known medical problem that affects your ability to become pregnant or stay pregnant? A regular OB/GYN doctor might be able to help. However, if you are in your late thirties or older, or if no factors can be identified as contributing to your infertility and you are tired of dragging yourself from one OB/GYN office to another in the hopes of finding an answer, it might be time to turn to the experts. Pick up the phone and schedule a consultation with a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist. It might very well be the best decision you’d make in a lifetime.