Difficulty Falling Pregnant

Fertility is the ability to conceive and produce offspring. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse in women under the age of 35 and 6 months in women over 35 years.

Infertility can affect men and women of all ages.

When couples are not able to conceive even after having unprotected sex over a long period, both partners need to be checked by their physician. With the advancements in medical technology, it is now possible to treat the condition of infertility.

Dr Turner can offer a full range of diagnoses and treatment protocols for most causes of infertility in a safe, supportive and caring environment.

Who is at risk of Infertility?

Your risk of infertility increases with age. Other factors that can cause infertility are:

• anxiety,
• depression,
• ageing,
• obesity
• hormonal imbalance,
• consumption of excessive alcohol,
• smoking,
• certain medications and
• underlying disease conditions

Infertility can be very stressful and frustrating and can place great strain on a couple’s relationship.

What Can Cause Infertility?

Infertility can be present from birth (congenital) or can be acquired as you age.

Some of the causes may include:

• Problems with ovulation: Certain conditions, like polycystic ovarian syndrome (ovaries secrete excessive amounts of male hormone testosterone) and hyperprolactinemia (produce high amounts of prolactin, a hormone that induces the production of breast milk), can prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs.
• Damaged fallopian tubes: Fallopian tubes carry the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. Any damage to them can affect the fertilisation of the egg by the sperm. Pelvic surgeries and infections can cause the formation of scar tissue that can damage your fallopian tubes.
• Abnormalities of the cervix and uterus: Abnormal mucus production in the cervix, problems with the cervical opening, abnormal shape and presence of benign tumours in the uterus can all contribute to infertility.
• Premature menopause: Mostly caused by a condition known as primary ovarian insufficiency, premature menopause occurs when menstruation stops before the age of 40. The exact cause of this condition is unknown, though various treatments for cancer and abnormalities in the immune system have been known to contribute to it.
• Adhesions: Bands of scar tissue can form in the pelvis after an infection or surgery.
• Other medical conditions: Diabetes, endometriosis, thyroid disorders, sickle cell disease or kidney diseases can affect the fertility of a woman.
• Medications: Certain medications have been known to cause temporary infertility. Stopping those medications can restore fertility in most cases.
• Male factors such as low sperm numbers, motility or fertilising capacity may be present. Sometimes previously undiagnosed azoospermia ( no sperm present) or sperm antibodies (interfere with the passage of the sperm in the female genital tract or binding to the egg) may be discovered. Male-related fertility issues are found in at least 50% of infertility cases.

When to Get Help for Infertility?

You may have reason to be concerned if you:

• Have been trying to get pregnant for 12 months if less than 35 years or six months if older than 35.
• Are aged in your late thirties

Or earlier if you have:

• Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
• Painful periods
• Known history of fertility problems
• History of pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis
• Prior multiple miscarriages
• Been treated for cancer with drugs and radiation
• Known male factor issues