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Do I have Infertility?
You have likely heard of the term ‘infertility’ and wondered what the medical diagnosis means or asked how someone gets diagnosed with infertility? Is it hereditary? How is it caused? Is it preventable? Does it only occur to women?
If these are questions you’ve found yourself wondering, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s provide resources to disseminate the information you may have heard about infertility.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infertility is common among women ages 15-49. What this means is a heterosexual couple is unable to conceive a baby or maintain a pregnancy after a year of having unprotected sex.
If you or your partner suspect that you may be having issues with infertility, there is hope. There are the steps you can take to gain answers and seek a way forward to creating your family.
What Diagnostic Tests Will My Provider Order?
Depending on your provider’s finding during your health screening, the answer will likely vary. Before you are referred to a reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) clinic, your PCM will order tests for you and your partner to complete.
These labs and imaging tests include the following.
- For women: Hormone Testing
- Ovarian Reserve
- Hysterosalpingography
- Thyroid Levels
- For Men: Semen Analysis
- Hormone Testing
Can Men Contribute to Infertility?
Absolutely!
The reason for your unsuccessful attempts to conceive is not solely based on the female partner. The quality and health of the sperm, genetic deficiencies affecting the sperm, or low testosterone levels can account for infertility, too.
This is the reason for diagnostic testing to include your male partner.
Can Exposure to a Sexually Transmitted Infection Cause Infertility?
It is possible that a prior gonorrhea or chlamydia infection could have caused damage to your fallopian tubes, making a more difficult passage for an oocyte or preventing sperm from reaching it.
However, it is essential to remember that several causes contribute to infertility.
These include but are not limited to the following.
- Endometriosis
- History of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Menstrual Cycle Irregularities
- Intrauterine Adhesions or Fibroids
- Bilateral or Unilateral Hydrosalpinx
- Chronic Infections to Cervix
- Autoimmune Disorders
- Failure in Oocyte Production
- Injury or Damage to Any Female Reproductive Organ
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Deficiency in Sex Hormone Production
- Low Ovarian Reserve
- Prior Abdominal Surgery
- Male Partner with Low Testosterone, Poor Quality of Semen, or Genetic disorders
Summary
An infertility diagnosis is common among women in the U.S., affecting approximately 19% of the women of childbearing age. However, both men and women contribute to the difficulty in conceiving or an infertility diagnosis.
If you and your partner have had difficulty conceiving for the past year, visit your PCM and express your concerns about infertility. Your provider will perform a health screening to learn more about your general health, sex habits and reproductive health history before proceeding with diagnostic testing for infertility.