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The lowdown on infertility
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We take a look at some of the causes of infertility and possible solutions.
from Ideas
Image: Your Pregnancy Magazine
Dr Klaus Wiswedel from the Cape Fertility Clinic says that endometriosis, irregular periods and polycysticovarian syndrome are some of the commonest causes of infertility in women who come to them for help.

  • Endometriosis is occurring more frequently and is referred to as the career woman's disease, because it is linked to a run-down immune system caused by stress and a rushed lifestyle. It involves the presence of growths in the pelvis resulting in very heavy and painful periods. Dr Wiswedel says the growths can be removed using laser technology, which is successful in 80% of cases, but if you fail to manage your stress, it can return within months.

  • Problems with ovulation occur when the ovaries fail to release mature eggs, usually because of a hormone imbalance. Symptoms include heavy periods, or irregular or very light periods. The problem can be treated with medication, which is successful in 70% of cases.

  • Blocked Fallopian tubes can result from an infection or sexually transmitted disease that is not diagnosed and treated quickly enough. The man's sperm cells cannot reach the woman's egg or, if fertilisation does take place, the fertilised egg cannot reach the uterus. The tubes can be unblocked surgically, but this can leave scar tissue, which could reduce your ability to fall pregnant.

  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome occurs when the follicles fail to ovulate and cysts form on the ovaries. It is also caused by a hormone imbalance. Symptoms include irregular periods, excess hair on the face and body, being overweight and acne. It can be treated with medication and surgery, but in some cases losing weight can offer a solution.

  • Male infertility or a low sperm count is genetic, but it can also be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle (smoking, alcohol and too much stress), exposure to heat or toxins over an extended period of time, chemotherapy, or having viral infections such as German measles or mumps as a child, says Dr Wiswedel. He recommends that couples who have trouble falling pregnant first have the man's sperm count tested.

  • Unexplained infertility Sometimes there is no clear reason why a woman cannot fall pregnant. Possible causes include being overweight, strenuous exercise over an extended period of time, and environmental pollution. Female fertility also declines with age, especially after 40. Smoking, drinking too much alcohol and anaemia could also be contributing factors.

    If treatment doesn't help
    The most generally recommended procedures if you are unable to conceive naturally are likely to include the following:

  • Artificial insemination The man's sperm or that of a donor is injected into the uterus. Your doctor will use ultrasound to determine your date of ovulation, with insemination taking place on the day of ovulation and the day thereafter.

  • Intracytoplasmic sperm injection A single sperm cell is injected into an egg cell. The procedure gives hope to men with a low sperm count because just one healthy sperm cell is necessary.

  • In-vitro fertilisation An egg cell is removed under anaesthetic and fertilised in a laboratory. Once fertilisation has occurred, the fertilised egg is transferred back to the uterus.

    Did you know?

  • Fertile couples who have sex regularly have a 25% chance each month of falling pregnant.
  • You are at your most fertile 14 days before your period.
  • Don't use vaginal gel if you're trying to fall pregnant, because it could harm sperm cells.
  • Also try to remain flat on your back for half an hour after having sex.

    Are you battling to fall pregnant? Why not ask our fertility expert, Dr Wiswedel for advice.


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    I?m really scared of having my baby because of the birth itself.
    Natlyn on 06 Oct at 03:36

     
    Last time i gave birth was 12 yrs ago and i gave birth by ceaserian section.the problem was that i was dilation. What causes it?, is it possible that if i get pregnant i will give birth by it
    siziwe on 15 Oct at 12:40

     
    i was using contraceptive for almost 12 yrs(Depo Provera).Now iwant to get pregnant
    siziwe on 15 Oct at 12:42

     
    Is it advisable to fall pregnant after 40years.
    Banusi on 16 Oct at 11:38

     
    I want to fall pregnant....
    Pinky on 23 Oct at 13:00

     
    my cousins had three abortions can she fall pregnat again?
    fancy on 25 Oct at 17:14

     
    Siswe, I was using the same contraceptive for many years as well and went off it to clean my system and to regulate my period because i also wanted to have another baby as my son just turned 7. I however had a huge problem ovulatiing, which caused my period to become irregular and very painful. I then went back on it because i could not stand the period pain. The problem was that contraceptives are not very healthy and i developed huge cysts on my ovaries which actually burst and caused me to land up in hospital. I continued to use the contraceptives when i came out of hospital to stop the ovulation process. Little did i know that the medication i was given was so strong that i eventually only fell pregnant five months after i was in hospital. the medication totaly destroyed the contraceptives. My advise is, if you go off contraceptives have a full check up from pap smear to a scrape. I am now five months pregnant and very healthy.
    Carmen on 12 Nov at 12:39

     
    I was using contraceptive for almost 6years and I have been without it for the last 2 and a half months.I was sexually active 2 times in these months with my husband, but I still got my periods.Is there something wrong with me? as I am only 26.
    Skye on 02 Apr at 14:23

     
    where can a perso go after being diagnosed with a endometriosis and having a cyst and a damaged fallopian tube? is there hope at all? what treatment can a person undergo?
    sara on 08 Apr at 15:23

     
    being married for about a year plus and unable to take in have fibrods most i remove it before i can take in. is there any connection between fibrods and low sperm count.
    cynthia on 10 Apr at 14:42

     

     
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