I Can’t Get Pregnant

Many women want to get pregnant but fail. They face physical problems because they cannot conceive a child but also psychological ones. Feelings of guilt, frustration, sadness appear, the man questions his virility, and the woman feels unfulfilled, becomes obsessed with the idea of ​​getting pregnant, and thus sexual intercourse becomes an obligation, it is no longer a pleasure. These feelings and feelings caused by the impossibility of having a child lead to strained relationships and therefore couples should consult a psychologist when dealing with infertility.

A couple is considered infertile if, during two years of unprotected sex, synchronized with the ovulation period (the most fertile period of the menstrual cycle, located about halfway between two successive periods), fails to conceive a child.

Infertility is not just a problem for women, and men can have fertility problems as well. In some couples, there is a fertility problem on both sides.

Causes of infertility

For women:

• Obstruction of the fallopian tubes (fertilization takes place in the fallopian tubes, and if they are obstructed, fertilization does not take place because the egg and sperm do not meet)
• Pelvic infections
• Ovulatory dysfunction (ovulation problems)
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Hormonal dysfunctions
• Old age (over 35 years)

For men:

• Changes in sperm (quality, quantity, mobility of sperm)
• Hormonal dysfunctions
• Problems affecting ejaculation (impotence)
• Sexually transmitted infections

Infertility in women

If your attempts to have a baby have failed, you should consult a fertility specialist. He will do a thorough physical examination, take biological samples (blood, vaginal discharge) for possible tests and have a detailed discussion with you about lifestyle (drug use, tobacco, alcohol), contraceptive methods used, possible sexually transmitted infections.

Recommended blood tests are related to the dosage of sex hormones:

Estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, FSH - follicle-stimulating hormone (dosed in the first days of the menstrual cycle, respectively days 2-3) - and LH - luteinizing hormone (it is recommended to dose it about the halfway menstrual cycle because it occurs in its luteal phase). Thyroid hormones are also dosed and serological tests are performed to detect possible hepatitis B or C and HIV.

Because one of the causes of infertility is sexually transmitted diseases, a cytological examination (for chlamydia, gonorrhea, or other infections) and a Babes-Pap test are recommended.

One of the procedures recommended by the doctor at the beginning is the exact determination of ovulation by measuring the basal temperature (this increases during ovulation by about 0.3-0.4 degrees compared to other days, and is maintained until the next menstruation) or by using ovulation tests.

Once the usual tests have been performed, the doctor is the only one able to decide if you need to do more detailed tests and what treatment is right for you.

The usual treatments for fertility problems consist of oral medications (Clomid or Serophene) and some intravenous medications (injectable hormone treatment). Oral medication is indicated for women who have ovulatory dysfunction, the drug stimulates the body to release hormones that trigger or regulate ovulation. If oral medications do not work, switch to hormone therapy.

Infertility in men

For the diagnosis and treatment of infertility in men, it is recommended to see a urologist. He will do a thorough physical examination, blood tests and will probably require a spermogram (sn analysis that assesses sperm quality). Although it is an unpleasant analysis, it is safe and can relieve a couple of months of stress and failed attempts.

Spermogram determines:

• The presence or absence of sperm in the seminal fluid
• If the sperm count is low
• If the movements of the sperm are abnormal
• Sperm shape and structure abnormalities

If the number of sperm is low, it is recommended to reduce sexual intercourse in order to accumulate more sperm in the testicles, and therefore sperm. If the spermogram shows no sperm, itcan be taken directly from the testicles. Vitamins have been shown to help increase sperm count.

Other causes that can affect male fertility are coffee, smoking, alcohol, drug use, obesity, stress, high testicular temperature (too tight clothing, hot baths can reduce sperm production), excessive physical exertion (because hormones are released). steroids in large quantities and they affect fertility).

The progress made in recent years in this area has given infertile couples hope that one day they will be able to conceive a child and start a real family.