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Infertility
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In
the United States, about 15 percent of couples are diagnosed with
infertility, which is the inability to conceive after a year of unprotected
intercourse.
In young healthy couples, the chance for conception is about 20 percent
during each menstrual cycle. The majority of young couples will achieve
pregnancy within six months.
A woman's fertility starts to decline in a her
late 20’s and early 30’s, and decreases even more after age 35. A man’s
fertility also declines with age, but generally later. When to seek medical
assistance for infertility depends on the age of the couple, how long they
have been trying to get pregnant and if they have had previous infertility.
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A basic infertility work-up includes an exam with full
medical history, review of menstrual cycle and frequency and timing of
sexual intercourse, a semen analysis and exam of the male, tests to
determine normal ovulation function and normally shaped and functioning
uterus and open Fallopian tubes. Follicular monitoring during fertility
cycles is available through
St. John's Clinic-Maternal Fetal Medicine.
The Emotional Component of
Infertility
Dealing with infertility
has been cited by psychologists as one of the most difficult experiences in
life, sometimes even more stressful than divorce or the death of a loved
one. Hopelessness, anger, depression and frustration are common feelings.
“Reproduction is seen by many people as a basic human function. People never
anticipate not being able to have children. Infertility can really take its
toll on a marriage, and depression is very common,” says St. John's OB/GYN
Christina Litherland, M.D. “How a couple reacts emotionally to infertility
often depends on where they are at in the process. Everyone reacts
differently, but I see the most depression in people who have been trying
unsuccessfully for a year or two. The couples who have been at it for
several years have made some peace with the possibility that they may not
have a biological child and are beginning to consider adoption or other
alternatives.”
St. John's OB/GYN Darren Lehnert, M.D. says partners often blame themselves
or each other for the fertility problem, and anger, guilt and resentment are
common.
“Infertility is tough,” Dr. Lehnert says. “There is often a tremendous
amount of guilt when a couple goes through this. Your intimate life together
can start to resemble a science experiment when you’ve been trying to
conceive for a long time.”
Taking a break from trying to conceive is often emotionally helpful for
couples. Talking about infertility with others who have experienced it,
educating yourself, staying busy, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and not
assigning guilt to yourself or your partner for the problem are also
effective coping methods. |