Infertility

When you and your partner are trying to conceive, you never expect to encounter difficulties. Yet, as much as 10% of the population experiences fertility problems; that's more than two million Americans. However, helping conception isn't as hard as it may seem. There are many things that you can do to increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

Nevertheless, for many couples, getting pregnant is easier said than done. But what is the difference between having difficulties and being infertile? Infertility is usually defined as the inability to conceive after a year of trying. If you're over 35, though, you need only try for six months without any success before fertility problems can start to be suspected.

There are numerous reasons as to why you or your partner may be infertile. Infertility affects women as much as it affects men and often the reason behind the infertility lies in both partners. Common reasons for female infertility include endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Male infertility can often be attributed to low sperm counts and blockages in the reproductive system. However, only proper fertility testing can determine just what is causing your troubles.

The field of reproductive technology is quickly expanding everyday. As a result, the number of medical options a couple can take advantage of is constantly growing and the effectiveness of these treatments is always improving. Recent studies have also shown many alternative fertility treatments and herbal medicines to be affective as a complimentary form of therapy. In some cases, these therapies are even helpful when used by themselves.

Having troubles conceiving can fill you with many questions. What could be causing my infertility? What can I do to increase my fertility? What infertility treatment options do I have? Who can I talk to about this? This site is dedicated to answering all these questions, plus many more.

Whether you need to know about female or male infertility, fertility tests or infertility treatments, all the answers you want can be found right here.

So that you can be prepared for when you are finally successful at conceiving, start looking into baby accessories your little one will need like baby bedding and also get ideas for many newborn baby gifts you can request from your friends.

I’ve had STIs in the past

I’ve had STIs in the past, but everything’s fine now – Will that stop me conceiving? Should I be concerned?

Your chances of conceiving are affected by both your health, and by your partner's health. It's important that couples are as healthy as possible before trying for a baby. And if you're fit and healthy to start with, you can improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy and labour.

A previous Sexually Transmitted Infection’s should not cause you problem’s. Most STI’s can be completely cured if found early enough. However, if left untreated they can be painful and uncomfortable or at worst cause permanent damage to your health and your fertility.

You do not specify which STI you had, but Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea can have long-term consequences in women as they may cause pelvic inflammatory disease. This can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pain. The classical STI’s, such as syphilis and gonorrhoea, are still readily recognised, diagnosed and treated. They seem to be on the decline nationally.

Chlamydia is the most common, curable, sexually transmitted infection in the UK. Many people have not heard of it and are not aware of the health risks it has. Up to 70% of Chlamydia infections in women have no obvious symptoms, so a large number of cases are never diagnosed. Pelvic inflammatory disease is the most common cause of female infertility and this can be caused by Chlamydia. In a large number of investigations there is a clear link between Chlamydia infection and tubal infertility ¹. Untreated STI’s can also be passed on to your baby.

In men, Chlamydia antibodies were found in the semen of 51% of infertile men compared to 23% of fertile men. It was concluded in a study in Finland that Chlamydia can also affect male fertility.

¹ Conway D, Glazener CMA, Caul EO et al: Chlamydial serology in fertile and infertile women. The Lancet, i: 191-193, 1984