If you are experiencing problems in trying to get pregnant, you may be wondering about infertility.
First of all, what exactly is infertility?
Infertility is the inability to become pregnant.
Even if you have been trying to get pregnant for several months without being able to conceive, don’t panic and assume that there is a fertility issue.
The fact is that in healthy couples under the age of 30 who are having sex regularly, the chances of pregnancy occurring are only about 25-30% each month. If you have been taking birth control pills, it may take you a little longer to get pregnant, also.
A woman’s peak fertility normally occurs in her early twenties. Beyond age 25, and especially past the age of 40, a woman’s likelihood of becoming pregnant decreases to 10% or less a month.
Is There More Than One Type of Infertility?
Basically, there are two types of infertility:
- Primary Infertility, which includes couples who have been trying for at least a year to conceive without success.
- Secondary Infertility: This group includes couples who have conceived once but been unable to conceive again.
If either of those applies to you, then you may be dealing with infertility and might want to consider seeing a doctor who specializes in infertility.
Exactly when you should seek help with infertility depends a lot on your age. If you are still in your twenties, or under 35; there may not be that much urgency.
However, due to the fact that your chances of getting pregnant will drop dramatically once you reach the age of 35, you should see a fertility specialist as soon as possible if you are heading into your mid to late 30s.
What is the Prognosis for Infertility?
The prognosis varies from individual to individual. However, statistically, a cause can be determined for 80-85% of infertility cases. Once a cause is known, infertility can usually be successfully treated.
Without any treatment of infertility, only about 15-20% of couples will conceive naturally.
Infertility is a terribly frustrating problem that affects thousands of couples every year. But it is not a life sentence, and often there is much that can be done to treat this condition and achieve pregnancy.
