What Causes Infertility

Major Signs of Male Infertility

admin — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 07:52:11 +0000

If you are interested in starting a family, it is important that you recognize the signs of male infertility as soon as they show up. Although many people believe that women are to blame most of the times when it comes to infertility in the couple, the fact is that in 30% of the cases, the man is to blame and in 20% of the cases, both the man and the woman are to blame. Just like in women, causes of infertility in men are either emotional or caused by structural abnormalities. One of the signs of male infertility is low or poor sperm count. This is called seminal abnormalities of the sperm and it means the sperm cannot reach the eggs. Women are made in such a way that their vagina is very hostile to sperms so that only a few of them, out of the millions deposited in the vagina after ejaculation, can get the chance to fertilize the egg. Low sperm count, or oligospermia, means the probability of fertilization is reduced.

Structural abnormalities are the major cause of infertility in men. You should therefore see a doctor if you suspect you have a structural problem so that the problem can be fixed if possible. The structural abnormalities occur at birth, after surgery, and as a result of an illness. Structural abnormalities that cause infertility in men and that can be used as signs of male infertility include:

• Varicocele occurs in the scrotum and it is a network of dilated varicose veins. These veins are usually found in the left side of the scrotum and this is one of the major signs of male infertility.

• Undescended testicles are testicles that fail to drop into the scrotum and remain in the abdomen. The sperm that such testicles produce will be impaired.

• Surgery following conditions and diseases such as testicular, prostate, and bladder cancer and hernia may lead to the impairment of the path through which sperms leave the testicles.

• Epididymis, or vas deferens, may be obstructed for reasons such as a sexually transmitted disease and this means the sperms in the required quantities will not be ejaculated.

• Structural abnormality can be caused by medical procedures done in men who no longer wish to have children. In such as procedure, the vas deferens is obstructed.

Some medical disorders can be taken as signs of male infertility. These include sickle-cell, cystic fibrosis, alcoholism, and renal disease. If you have a pre-existing medical condition and you suspect it might be the cause of your infertility, talk to your doctor about it and consider a change of medication. Abuse of some therapeutic and illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine can cause male infertility. You should also avoid exposure to occupational and environmental toxins to reduce the risk to your testicular function. Other causes of male infertility include testicular trauma and torsion, or the twisting of the cord attaching the testis to the body. Learn the signs of male infertility so that you can take action before it is too late to get a baby.

Common Reasons for Male Infertility

admin — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 07:37:30 +0000

There are many reasons for male infertility that men should know about. Having this knowledge is important because you will be able to avoid the causes and you will be able to seek treatment before it is too late. One in eight couples has infertility issues. It is a common belief that women contribute most to these cases, but male infertility is the cause of the infertility in half the cases. Sperm disorder is the major reasons for male infertility. When a man ejaculates during intercourse, millions of sperms are released into the vagina. However, only a few hundred of these sperms will get close to the ovaries. The success of a sperm in fertilizing the egg is determined by:

• The shape of the sperm: Some men have sperm that have a shape that is not ideal for fertilization.

• The sperm count: This is the total number of sperms in the sample and if this number is low, the chances of a sperm reaching the egg is also low.

• The concentration of the sperm: This is the number of sperms in a milliliter of semen. If this number is low, fertilization may not happen because it is the sperms, and not the semen, that find their way towards the egg.

• Asthenospermia: This is a condition where the sperm does not develop the necessary speed, leading to the death of the sperm before they can fertilize the egg. In some extreme cases of asthenospermia, the sperm is immobile and this is one of the common reasons for male infertility.

• The volume of the semen: If this is low, the number of sperms that find their way to the eggs is drastically reduced.

• The sperm mobility: Some men have sperm that are not able to move as they should towards the egg and this reduces the chances of fertilizing the egg.

• Forward progression of the sperm: The quality of movement of the sperm in some men is weak for one reason or the other.

Of all these reasons for male infertility, forward progression and sperm mobility are the major causes of infertility in men. Even men who have a low sperm count can get children if their sperm is of high-quality. If you have been unsuccessful in getting a child, both parties should be checked. Note that the quality of the sperm can change due to a number of controllable and uncontrollable factors, meaning the analysis should be done over a period of 2 to 6 months. Sperm disorder is caused by:

• Cancer treatment: Chemotherapy and radiotherapy near the testicles cause sperm disorder.

• STDs: Sexually transmitted diseases may attack a part of the body transporting sperm from the testicles.

• Cryptorchidism: This is a condition whereby the testis is in the groin area or the abdomen and it causes sperm disorder since the conditions are not conducive for sperms.

• Age: Sperm mobility and the quality of the sperm start to decline when a man reaches 35.

• Immune disorders: Immune disorders make the body view sperm as foreign matter, meaning it will produce antibodies to fight them.

• Other reasons for male infertility are excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking.

Understanding the Infertility Treatment Statistics

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:21:19 +0000

If you are seeking infertility treatment, it is important that you understand infertility treatment statistics. Many couples believe it is easy to get pregnant, until they want a baby. It is particularly difficult to get pregnant if you are over 35 and doctors do not see you as infertile if you have been trying to get a baby for less than 6 months. If you are under 35, doctors will only consider you for infertility treatment if you have been trying to have a baby for at least 1 year. However, many factors determine the time you will take to conceive and so different couples have different challenges.

Infertility treatment statistics from a CDC survey carried out in 2002 indicated that 12% of all people in the reproductive age bracket are infertile. This means that in the United States alone, 7.3 million men and women were infertile.
Infertility depends on:

•   The age of the couple
•   The weight of the couple
•   Untreated sexually transmitted diseases
•   PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in women

In women PCOS is the major cause of infertility, affecting 10% of U.S. women. This condition is characterized by formation of follicles in the ovaries. These follicles come together to form cysts and it leads to lack of, or irregular periods. When considering infertility treatment statistics, note that this is not a female problem only. In 30% of all infertility cases, men are the problem and in 20% of all cases, the problem is with both the man and the woman. It is necessary to do diagnostic tests because it is very difficult to determine what the cause of the problem is.

When dealing with infertility, note that although the major causes of infertility in men and women are medical, the problem has a psychological component. As an illustration, depressed women are at a greater risk of being infertile compared to women who are not depressed. Couples that fail to get a child when they want experience grief, sadness, anger and depression. For such couples, counseling is recommended since these feelings can affect fertility and because problems with fertility can cause depression. If you are having fertility issues, seek professional help because infertility treatment statistics show that 2/3 of couples that seek fertility treatment are successful. There have been medical breakthroughs over the past few years that have led to the increase in the success rate of infertility treatment.

Before you begin a fertility treatment plan, go through the fine print of your insurance cover carefully. This is because you may end up having a bill that your insurer will not pay. If the lingo in the fine print is too technical, have your lawyer or your accountant go through it with/for you. Note that even in states where the law requires your insurer to cover infertility treatment, there are conditions that you should take note of. These states are Arkansas, Connecticut, California, Hawaii, West Virginia, Texas, Rhode Island, Ohio, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Montana, and New York. These infertility treatment statistics are important in helping you make informed decisions about your fertility.

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Top Infertility Treatment Financing Options

admin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 06:55:25 +0000

Infertility treatment financing can be very difficult for many people. Generally, procedures to cure or treat infertility do not come cheap especially when they have to be administered severally. As if it is not enough having to worry about not getting pregnant, financing this treatment can also devastate many couples. With infertility financing, there are several options to be considered apart from the insurance people might have or not have.

Paying Out of Pocket
Raising money from the pocket can be a good direction to go for infertility treatment financing. Couples might get this money from their savings, friends and family, home mortgages and even from their credit cards. This finance option will work well with low costs that might cater to a round of in vitro fertilization IVF. However, when there is need for other rounds, costs can go up sharply and families can suffer first hand the ill effects of this. People might not just risk loosing their cars, homes and properties but will also strain friendships and relationships. At this point, it is vital to prioritize and rethink treatment. Keep in mind that if the procedures are a success, there will be another financial requirement of the family budget to cater to the child born.

Short Term Financing
Couples should consider short-term options for infertility treatment financing when they can payback monthly with interest. High rates of interest can be the drawback but people will have some good time to pay it off. This is worth considering because it rivals loosing a home, car or having to deal with huge credit card debts.

Three examples of short term financing for fertility treatments include:
1. Capital One Health Care Finance offers great short-term health loans. Their plan is simple and easy and an online application will even make the process easier. People can look forward to loans that range from 1000 grand to 40,000 dollars. Couple can use these funds to pay for donor eggs, buy Clomid, PCOS treatment, IVF, ICSI, IUI, surgery or even tubal ligation reversal. Their APR rates are very flexible; the terms range from 18 months to 7 years, and through their customizable plan, people can attain their dream.

2. Another option is going to clinics that offer flexible financing plans and terms for payment. Some clinics do not negotiate and it is vital to consult with clinics first.

3. Low interest credit cards can be the option needed for treatment financing. With low or affordable repayments, people can actually make it work.

Other Options for Financing
• Home equity loans – this is an option worth considering but with caution. There is nothing worse than losing a home or having no funds to repair just because people fail to repay.

• Seeing a tax attorney or lawyer will be the key to knowing how much needs to be deducted. The deductible amount may vary but knowing the overall cost to deduct is crucial to ensure that infertility treatment financing is undertaken with utmost consultation and consideration.

Considering the Cost of Infertility Treatment

3 Great Homeopathic Infertility Treatment Tips

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 06:27:22 +0000

Homeopathic infertility treatment is a great alternative option to traditional fertility treatments that can work out brilliantly. Homeopathic medicine is not just safe for those who employ it but it is also gentle and has been used for over a quarter century by many communities of the world. Different aspects of treatment will need to be considered with homeopathic infertility treatment because different factors will be responsible for the problem of infertility in different people. This form of medication can be applied in couples with no known medical grounds for not conceiving as well as those who do have medical problems and predisposition as to why they are not getting pregnant.

Homeopathy encompasses a number of remedies that will work to provide healing for physical, mental and emotional levels of persons. For this reason, homeopathic infertility treatment is able to treat fears and phobias, anxieties, disappointments and even frustrations that may have built up in couples with no luck in getting pregnant. There are different forms of homeopathic treatments for infertility. The Chinese have used natural herbs and acupuncture therapy to get the relief needed from this and other problems for many decades. The kind of food that those who wish to conceive take is also brought into perspective as a vital factor. Although there are varied causes of infertility in both men and women, it is not true that chemicals courtesy of modern medicine have to be used to treat these problems.

The following are top 3 tips to a wholesome homeopathic treatment of infertility that will cause people to have children as they desire

Homeopathic Infertility Treatment – Herbs
Many great herbs have been used for a long time. Among others, there are red clover, life root, chasteberry, partridgeberry, dong quai and many others. Before using the herbs, consult a doctor.

Homeopathic Infertility Treatment – Diet
Diet and nutrition are pivotal to conceiving. Take in lots of vitamins in the diet. The food must provide the following components including antioxidants, a multi-vitamin, zinc, and calcium. Alcohol has been found to reduce sperm count by half and eliminating it at this point will yield. Men and women need to stay away from caffeinated drinks as well.

Homeopathic Infertility Treatment – Acupuncture
Acupuncture for men and women have been used for long to treat infertility. The Chinese gave the world this practice that they have used continually to reduce stress, pain and a myriad of other health problems. Acupuncture sees the piercing with tiny needles of vital energy points called acupoints on the skin. The practice enhances blood flow and hinders the production of stress hormones that affect ovulation. With this ancient Chinese art, women and men have conceived and improved on overall health.

Getting pregnant does not have to involve the use of harsh drugs and all manner of chemicals. It can be made simple thanks to the homeopathic tips and facts mentioned above. Those who are wiling to take this alternative must consult a homeopathic expert who will guide on all vital aspects to achieve the goal of conception. There is no doubt that homeopathic infertility treatment will continue to provide a renewed hope to those who want to have their own kids in life.

Herbs for Male Infertility That Work

admin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 06:17:23 +0000

Herbs for male infertility are becoming commonplace in society. Many are of the thought that infertility in a couple is always caused by the female. This myth is spread across communities although it is a misconception. Statistical facts have shown that the difference in infertility between men and women is only 10%. Women have been found to have a 10% higher chance of being infertile over men. However, even in the light of this, the 10% difference can be owed to the fact that men never seek to know their fertility status. In other words, men can equally be the cause of infertility in a home. Herbs for male infertility have made it possible for shy men to seek help with infertility. With herbal medications for infertility, men too like women can share in the natural replenishment and healing brought about by herbs. The following are male infertility herbs that work -

Ginseng
Ginseng comes with a world of gains into which men can tap. This great herb is able to increase the count of sperm as well as increase motility. It is also a well-known aphrodisiac for men and women both.

Maca
Maca is an herb that has excelled in boosting fertility. This herb has been used and trusted for over 10, 000 years and like ginseng, it will increase sperm count, boost libido and increase motility. Men everywhere should try out for great benefit this effective remedy.

Tribulus
Tribulus has been referred to as a wonder drug that works to treat infertility. It is not just one of the best herbs for male infertility because it also benefits women with its vital properties. In Europe, medical experts have preferred it in place of libido enhancers on prescription that are often plagued with devastating side effects. This sure remedy has been found to treat all degrees of infertility as well as impotence.

Ginko Biloba
Just like ginseng, Ginko Biloba has stood out as a wonderful herbal cure for infertility. One of the top reasons why men become infertile is stress and this herb has been seen to remove stress by enhancing adrenal glands that produce the stress hormones. Ginko Biloba has been studied and the results are amazing for it treats infertility effectively because its effectiveness is over 80%. According to the study undertaken, subjects succeeded in sustaining an erection followed by ejaculation.

Milk Thistle
Milk thistle has also emerged as a great detoxification agent. Through detoxification, people are able to improve on health and this will take into account reproductive health. Due to use of this herb, men are able to create good conditions for sperm to thrive increasing not just sperm count but the motility as well.

Those who take the above-mentioned herb can also look forward to enjoying additional benefits. Circulation can be enhanced by ginseng and people will be able to concentrate in their work thanks to Ginko Biloba as well as reduce stress. Those who wish to increase the mass in their muscles can trust tribulus, which is widely used for this purpose. Adding a singe herb or several herbs for male infertility mentioned above can greatly change life and promote a fertile and healthy life for all.

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Steps To Secure Grants for Infertility Treatment

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:06:01 +0000

Infertility treatments might require people to part with an arm due to hefty expenses but people can consider grants for infertility treatment. A single treatment can cost up to $ 13,000 and this is not putting into consideration the many rounds of treatment that might be required before conception is realized. Insurance companies will not cover the cost of infertility treatment but those who do not give up can look into grants.

Organizations may offer the grants on fertility treatment after having considered different aspects including cause of infertility, financial status as well as insurance coverage options available to couples. The following are tip on securing grants for infertility treatments-

• The first thing is to have a diagnosis from an obstetrician or gynecologist. Men can have the diagnosis from an urologist. The definition of infertility by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine must be met. In addition, a doctor must attest that the uterus of persons in question is normal, that there are no signs of premature menopause and that they have access to an ovary or can use a donor egg.

• Grants for infertility treatment will be given to those people who are not beyond the age of 45. This is considered the most fertile age group.

• Persons with health insurance will qualify. This is because even though insurance does not cover these costs, insurance can cater to other health problems.

• Having good mental and physical health is needed. The hopeful recipients must also demonstrate a healthy mental and physical state to cater to a child.

• Those that want to receive the grant must show that they do not have any funds to cater to the treatment but must be financially stable to provide for a child.

• The next thing to do is to look at all the organizations that provide grants to people who cannot afford and below are good resources that will guide.

INCIID
• The InterNational Council for Infertility Information Dissemination scholarship is able to give an in vitro fertilization cycle to people who qualify. They consider both financial and medical need of the candidate to give the grant.

Cade Foundation Grant
• The Foundation offers funds about $10,000 not just for infertility cure but for domestic adoption as well to couples. Those who want to be considered must fill out an application, candidates must also be residents, and citizens of the US and together with the application must provide a $40 fee, which is non-refundable.

New York State IVF Grant
• People that live in New York State can qualify for this grant. It will cover medication and two cycles of IVF.

East Coast Fertility IVF Grant
• The Clinic gives grants to qualified applicants. This opportunity is for all U.S residents who can travel to the East Coast for the necessary treatments. An application is needed together with a short interview with ECF staff. Within a day, people can know their fate on whether they have won the grants for infertility treatment.

Grasping Different Infertility Treatments

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 04:54:53 +0000

Many different infertility treatments are available for people who would like to have children but are not able. Some of these treatments are however raising eyebrows everywhere questioning medical ethics. Couples that do not succeed in conceiving for a year and a half after they try can qualify for different infertility treatments. It is vital for couples to seek a medical diagnosis on this to confirm that indeed they have a problem. Often times, some couples will not have any medical issues to note even though they do not conceive. For couples that do not have a medical reason for not conceiving, doctors will advice based on the ovulation cycle of a woman to ensure that they increase their chances of getting pregnant. In addition, to ensure this, couples can be advised on the best sex positions as well as angles to hold after sex. Those that are declared infertile may opt to have sperm injected directly to their womb to spark pregnancy.

Different infertility treatments in those that have problems will be determined by the kind of problems present in individuals. For this reason, all infertility cases are treated uniquely. For instance, when the oviducts or fallopian tubes of a woman are scarred, surgery can be undertaken to ensure that pregnancy occurs. Age of women is a crucial factor when considering infertility treatments because as they age, ovulation will become unpredictable and many times, the ova may not be viable.

Another infertility treatment that can be undertaken is the injection of medication to spark ovulation and many times to ensure that the egg is produced more than once per month. However, this centers on hormonal manipulation, which is responsible for several side effects in women. The top ones are weight gain, mood swings, acne breakouts and more. However, this is little price to pay for a chance at parenthood. Medications can also be recommended to men to boost fertility and increase sperm count. The downsides to these medical interventions may include higher chances of miscarriage and multiple births. Men may suffer temporary female characteristics after treatment. When above methods of treatment fail, couples can look into in vitro fertilization or IVF. With this intervention, sperm and egg of a couple will be harvested and combined to form an embryo. When the time and conditions are right, a few embryos are transferred to the uterus through injection.

This radical method of treatment does not come cheap and in the United States, people can part with up to 10,000 dollars for the procedure. IVF is an infertility treatment that has evoked many ethical sentiments. A huge concern about this method is the unnatural trigger of many pregnancies or babies leading to great risks associated with multiple births. Creation of many embryos for infertility treatments has encouraged progression of stem cell research. Consequently, stem cell research has diverted to other stem cell sources like umbilical cord blood. To uphold ethics and preserve human dignity, stem cell research using embryos might be stemmed out to as one of the many different infertility treatments available.

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Considering the Cost of Infertility Treatment

admin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 04:39:51 +0000

The cost of infertility treatment adds up very fast more so if the treatment option is in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Depending on the technicality of the treatment, one treatment cycle can range from almost $10,000 to about $15,000. A patient who needs intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) will spend at least $15,000 before the completeion of one cycle. This procedure is more expensive because it involves injecting one sperm directly into the egg cell. Depending on each individual couple, some may require at least three treatment cycles in order for them to yield successful results and get pregnant. This therefore means that before the actual pregnancy, a couple may have spent almost $50,000 and there is no guarantee that the procedure will actually get them pregnant.

Because of the high cost of infertility treatment options today, people have come up with tips that can make the cost slightly more bearable. One of these tips is spending money from a flexible account. This option is not always open for many people because most people do not have a flexible spending account to begin with. Such an account is available to most employees whose employers give them a chance to save a certain amount of their pre-taxed earning every month for specific needs. These needs are normally medical expenses not covered by insurance companies. Another tip is borrowing money from one’s retirement money, although this option is also not availale with all retirement plans. However, most retirement plans allow their customers to borrow money if they are going to use it for a justifiable reason.

Other people may also decide to take out an equity loan, mostly against their homes, in order to be able to afford the infertility treatment fee and charges. Others take out additional mortgages while others use payment plans or loans offered by local banks through their fertility clinics. Credit cards are also another payment option but this option should be considered carefully because the costs of infertility treatment are high and one may spend more than they can comfortable pay each month. This will therefore add on to the stress that infertility already causes and make life even more difficult when a couple cannot raise the money they need to pay off their credit card debt. This should also be the case with the loans to ensure that patients easily pay back parts of the loans as specified by the loan agency every month.

Another tip that can make the infertility treatment costs more bearable is considering refund IVF or shared-risk programs, an option offered by a few clinics around the country. In this case, patients pay the cost of the treatment in a lumpsome at the beginning of the procedure and they agree that the program or clinic will refund a part of their money or all of it if the treatment does not work after the given time. Since the cost of infertility treatment is very high, most clinics only offer this option to couples that have high chances of succeeding to ensure that they do not lose money.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Infertility

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 04:28:43 +0000

Ayurvedic treatment for infertility has become both very popular and effective for many patients. Ayurvedic can be described as the science of wellness because it focuses on making a person better and maintaining their health for a much longer time to follow. Most treatment options aim at ridding the body of the symptoms of a certain disease and that is the ultimate goal. Patients who are faced with infertility go through a very difficult time and it becomes a very traumatic situation for them. According to research, every man and woman looks forward to being a parent at some point. When this is not possible for whatever reason, the people involved are hurt and they feel distressed by the whole situation.

Many causes of infertility have been recorded throughout the years. Some of them include imbalance of the nervous system, slow digestion, mental and physical stress and an accumulation of toxins, poor dietary behaviors, low immunity and natural resistance as well as an interruption of the natural biological systems of a person. Other causes that people may not have much to do with are genetics and injury to the reproduction tissues due to an accident or infection. Treating infertility, or trying to treat it, is very expensive and the success rates are not very promisisng. Ayurvedic treatment for infertility is much cheaper and it has often yielded better results as compared to other treatment options.

One treatment option offered in ayurvedic is the Panchakarma, which flushes out toxins from the body. The procedure takes place in three main phases of purification, which are pre-purification then main purification and finally post purification. The purificatio process involves the use of therapies such as oil massages, medicinal enemas, herbal methods of purification and fermented liquid massages. Another treatment option is Rasayana therapy, which works to provide nourishment for the body, balance out the doshas and generally revive the body. This therapy works by regulating diets, taking medication, ayurveda tonics as well as living a stress free life through yoga. Doctors will have handy information for patients on how to live a healthy life after the treatment.

Infertility Ayurvedic treatment for focuses on ensuring the body is capable of repairing damage to it and hence reinstates fertility. According to the treatment, the body will learn the real meaning of fertilization tissues using the 7 main reproductive tissues in the body. The treatment also considers herbs as good supplements mainly for restoring balance and hence ensuring that the body functions as it should. The herbs help in digestion, toxin purification and hence the healing process. Before embarking on the treatment method, it is important to verify with the doctor the right herbs to use for individual cases. To ensure this, all patients hold an interview with the doctor to ensure that they know what they are getting into. The doctor will check a patient’s pulse, which involves more than counting beats. Patients will know how healthy they are as well as their dosha balance after the ayurvedic treatment for infertility.

Considering the Cost of Infertility Treatment