Infertility
The official definition is the failure to conceive after two years of
unprotected sexual intercourse in the absence of known reproductive pathology.
There are two types of infertility:
Primary infertility, which is infertility without any previous pregnancy and Secondary infertility, when there has been a previous pregnancy.
There are many causes of infertility and therefore many tests to explain these
various causes. These include checking the number and quality of your partner's
sperm, assessing the level of hormones that control the activity of your
ovaries, ultrasound or x-ray examination of the fallopian tubes and other tests
to exclude disease or infection.
There are a number of options open to infertile couples. If all tests are
normal, you may be advised to try naturally for some more time. Fertility pills
or injections are used for ovulation induction if you are not ovulating. If
there is a mild sperm problem, introduction of sperm inside the uterine cavity
(IUI) could be an option. If the fallopian tubes are damaged or blocked, IVF is
usually required. If there are severe male-factor problems, sperm injection
into your egg (Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection or ICSI) could help.
It is important that you discuss all options with your consultant and choose the
least invasive and the most cost-effective method of treatment.
