Entries tagged with “Reproductive Health”.


It can be devastating for a couple to learn that their hopes of having a child of their own are diminished due to fertility problems. Women are often the ones who cope best with the news. Many men find themselves in unfamiliar ground and as a result often begin feeling insecure over their manhood. Why? Researchers and psychologist believe that it goes back to our primal instincts when only the strongest of the clan were allowed to pass on their genetic material.

The male figure in history was supposed to be the provider and ensure the legacy of his genes. It might be a better example to use the animal kingdom and wolf packs in particular. The Alpha male is the strongest male in the pack. It is his genes that are passed onto the next generation along with the Alpha females. If there are fertility problems then one or both are replaced as the pack leaders.

Luckily for humans the need to be the Alpha has diminished with the advent of society and technology. An awareness of human ailments or problems do not have any bearing on whether or not they are useful and productive means of society, have allowed many people the opportunity to speak out about issues such as fertility problems.

If a couple finds themselves facing difficulty getting pregnant there are avenues to turn to for help. The first is to have a complete physical done for both the male and female. The doctor will get a detailed medical history and perform a few routine tests. One of these is to test for any sexually transmitted diseases. Sexually transmitted diseases account for more instances of fertility problems and issues than any other. Many diseases such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhea if left untreated too long can have disastrous consequences for the reproductive system.

The next step in infertility treatments is to find out what the male sperm count is. The odds go down considerably for conception the lower the sperm count. Sperm motility is also a huge factor in conception. The gynecologist will also do a complete diagnostic on the woman’s reproductive system to ensure that her fallopian tubes and ovaries are working correctly. Endometriosis, a disease where tissue grows rampant from the uterus and can cause infertility, is also looked for.

When both the man and woman are physically checked out then the doctor will sit down with them at that point and discuss options available. Science and medical research have brought tremendous leaps in the fields of fertility problems and now there are more options than ever for problems conceiving that have plagued mankind since the beginning of time.

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Hospital room (Denmark, 2005)
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There are many decisions that must be made when deciding to undertake infertility treatments in order to have a child. The number of infertility clinics found throughout the world is growing in number so it is important to understand what is involved in the fertility treatment process. Even if you think you know the exact clinic you wish to use, it still pays to do a little research before totally committing.

Infertility clinics can be found throughout the United States and most have a pretty good percentage of term pregnancies. When it comes down to picking amongst all of the infertility clinics operating there are a few things to keep in mind. These clinics and their operating procedures are public knowledge and should be on record with the Center for Disease Control or the United States Department of Health. Many insurance companies also can give detailed information on any health violations or problems they have had with the particular infertility clinics.

The whole goal of picking between any of the better infertility clinics is finding one that makes a couple feel like they are worth the effort. Often couples are treated more like just files and dollar signs than as struggling would-be parents desperately seeking to have a child of their own. Infertility clinics want to stay abreast of the latest medical procedures and techniques. This allows them to offer their patients the best possible care. From fertility drugs to invasive procedures, the best infertility clinics seek out cutting edge technology.

There are some less positive things to keep in mind when dealing with infertility clinics. Most total plans for conception are not covered completely by a healthcare plan. A fertility treatment plan is sometimes a long procedure that can cost thousands of dollars. Besides the monetary costs, infertility clinics often have treatments that are quite time consuming. Careful thought must be given when considering using any fertility treatment plan. The treatments used at infertility clinics are not the same as charting a basal temperature for several months. They can involve hormone treatments, egg harvesting, invitro fertilization, or many other medical procedures that may not be expected.

There are many factors that go into choosing among the myriad of infertility clinics around the world. One important factor that is often not considered is how much personal attention will be given to the needs of the parents. A doctor that seems too rushed or a staff that is not friendly and courteous is clear signals to walk away and find a different clinic.

For some individuals the need to have a baby is almost frantic. Life is slowly creeping by and each year brings another round of fruitless attempts to become pregnant. Infertility clinics have stepped in to help would-be parents attain their goal of becoming pregnant and having a family of their own. No one every said it would be easy but the good things in life seldom are.

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Unexplained infertility is defined as whenever a couple has tried unsuccessfully for more than two years to conceive and have been unable to have a child. This diagnosis is made after there has been adequate fertility charting, such as taking the basal temperature for consecutive months, as well as a clear diagnosis on more common infertility causes.

A visit to a new doctor always involves a list or questionnaire of past medical history. This is especially true of unexplained infertility. The female will need to keep an accurate history of her monthly cycles as well as any pertinent diseases or medical conditions in her past. The male will need to list any accidents or diseases that may affect his reproductive capabilities.

The second test is called a Hysterosalpingogram. This test is performed by the radiology staff at a hospital and involves an x-ray being taken after dye is put into the uterus through an IV. The radiologist and fertility specialist can then see if the fallopian tubes have any blockage or if there is any damage to the uterus that may be causing the infertility.

The third test is for a semen analysis. The male must ejaculate into a cup so that the lab can see how high his sperm count is as well as the motility of the sperm. The lower the count and motility, the less likely fertilization is to occur.

Unfortunately there is a bit of panic at the diagnosis of unexplained infertility. In reality it can actually be any number of known reasons for the conception to not be occurring. It can be anything from the eggs not being able to be entered by the sperm to even something being wrong on a genetic level between the two.
Unexplained infertility can also apply to after the egg has been fertilized but has a failure to implant normally in the uterus. It can also be a wide variety of reasons all coming together for the same result: a failed pregnancy attempt.

It is possible for men to continue to have children at any age but time is not an ally for a woman’s eggs. If unexplained infertility continues to stop the conception process, there are alternatives. The couple can consider using donor eggs or sperm. There are even surrogate mothers who will carry the child for the woman. In a world full of children needing loving homes, adoption can be a great alternative. Just remember that biology does not a parent make.

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