Know more about Subfertility

 Know more about Subfertility



 

The chances of conceiving spontaneously are higher with subfertility, although it takes longer than usual. The chances of conceiving without medical assistance are slim with infertility. According to studies, most couples may conceive spontaneously after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse. The best time to try to conceive is when you are feeling most like yourself and ready to start a family.


Subfertility Diagnosis

A fertility expert can assist in determining the reason for infertility. A doctor will begin by gathering both parties' medical and sexual histories.


The doctor will also do a physical examination, including a pelvic exam for women and a genital examination for males.


A fertility assessment will also entail a battery of tests. Women may be ordered the following tests:


Transvaginal ultrasonography examination of the reproductive organs Blood tests to detect ovulation-related hormone levels, hysterosalpingography to assess the fallopian tubes and uterine state, and ovarian reserve testing to determine the quality and number of eggs.


Most of the reasons for subfertility are the same as those for infertility. Male or female infertility, or a mix of the two, might cause difficulty conceiving. The reason is uncertain in some situations.

  1. Ovulation issues: The most prevalent reason for infertility is an ovulation issue. An egg is not released to be fertilised unless ovulation occurs. Ovulation can be prevented by a variety of situations, including: 

  • PCOS is a condition that can either prevent or induce irregular ovulation.

  • DOR is a woman's egg count decline caused by age or other factors such as a medical condition or past ovarian surgery.

  • Precocious ovarian insufficiency (POI)


Trusted Source, also known as early menopause, occurs when the ovaries fail before the age of 40 due to a medical illness or treatment, such as chemotherapy.

Conditions of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland that interfere with the capacity to generate the hormones required to sustain normal ovarian function


Obstruction of the Fallopian tube

The egg cannot meet the sperm because the fallopian tubes are blocked. It can be brought on by:

  • Endometriosis:  Inflammation of the pelvis (PID) scar tissue from a prior operation, such as an ectopic pregnancy procedure a gonorrhoea or chlamydia history.


  • Abnormalities in the uterus: The uterus, often known as the womb, is where your baby develops. Abnormalities or defects in the uterus might make it difficult to conceive. It can include congenital uterine problems at birth or a later-developing problem.


Some uterine problems are as follows:


  1. Septate uterus, characterised by a band of tissue dividing the uterus into two portions. A bicornuate uterus contains two chambers instead of one, approximating the form of a heart. 


The uterus has two tiny chambers, each with its own entrance, resulting in a double uterus. 


Fibroids are abnormal growths within or on the uterus.


  1. Sperm production or function issues Subfertility can be caused by abnormal sperm production or function. A variety of circumstances and causes can contribute to this, including: gonorrhoea, chlamydia, HIV, diabetes, mumps, cancer and its treatment. 


Varicocele refers to swollen veins in the testes. Klinefelter syndrome is an example of a genetic defect.


  1. Issues with sperm delivery 

Problems with sperm delivery might make conception difficult. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including: Genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, early ejaculation, testicular injury or damage structural flaws, such as a testicular obstruction.



Risk elements

Certain factors enhance your chances of infertility. Many of the risk factors for male and female infertility are the same. These are some examples:


Being a female over the age of 35, being a male over the age of 40, being overweight or underweight, smoking cigarettes or marijuana, significant physical or mental stress, exposure to radiation, certain medicines

Toxins in the environment, such as lead and pesticides,



Treatment for infertility

Being subfertile rather than infertile means that you can still conceive naturally. Subfertility therapy focuses on lifestyle modifications and learning how to boost your chances of becoming pregnant.


If necessary, medical treatments and other choices are available.


Increasing the likelihood of conception

Here are some lifestyle adjustments and recommendations to help you conceive naturally:

  • Avoid smoking, which might affect both male and female fertility.

  • Stop consuming booze.

  • Maintain a healthy weight, as being underweight or overweight might impact fertility.

  • Use ovulation prediction kits to determine the optimal time for intercourse throughout your period.

  • Track your basal body temperature to see when you're most fertile.

  • Consult your doctor about your medicines since some are known to interfere with fertility.


Medical attention

The medical treatment will be determined by the reason for infertility or subfertility.

Males and females are treated differently.


Women's treatment

There are several treatments available to restore female fertility. To conceive, you may require simply one or a mix of several.

These are some examples:

Fertility medicines are used to control or stimulate fertility, while uterus surgery is used to address uterine issues.

IUI is a procedure that involves inserting healthy sperm into the uterus.


Technology for assisted reproduction

  • Any fertility therapy or process that involves the management of the egg and sperm is referred to as assisted reproductive technology (ART).


The most prevalent ART method is in vitro fertilisation (IVF). It entails extracting eggs from a woman's ovaries and fertilising them with sperm. After that, the embryos are put into the uterus.


Other procedures may be performed during IVF to improve the chances of pregnancy. These are some examples:


Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in which a healthy sperm is injected directly into egg-aided hatching, aids implantation by opening the outer coating of the embryo donor sperm or eggs. It may be utilised if the eggs or the sperm are the gestational carriers, which is possible for women who do not have a functioning uterus or are deemed high risk for pregnancy.


Adoption is possible if you cannot conceive or seek alternatives to medical infertility therapy.


Adoption blogs are an excellent source of information on adoption and perspective from people who have gone through the adoption process.


Conclusion:

Subfertility is a tough phase for every couple. Understanding it and trying your best can help you cope with the stress, which would lead to positivity resulting in no stressful tries.


Reference Links:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15802321/#:~:text=Subfertility%20generally%20describes%20any%20form,only%20sporadically%20occurring%20spontaneous%20pregnancies


https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/subfertility


https://www.healthline.com/health/subfertility



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