Seeking infertility treatment means learning a whole new vocabulary. You might have heard the term assisted reproductive technology (ART) bandied about, and wondered if it applies to you. Knowing your ART options can help you better understand your own body and weigh various options that may help.
Infertility can feel deeply isolating. Yet at least 6% of women under 44 are unable to get pregnant after a year of trying. You are not alone. Knowing that you are infertile, however, gets you no closer to treating the issue. Infertility is a label, not a diagnosis. Its causes are as diverse as the women who experience this painful experience. The good news is that, with the right diagnosis, a wide range of infertility medications can help you get pregnant and give birth to a healthy baby.
Perhaps the only thing more frustrating than struggling to conceive, is learning there are things we are doing that could be impeding our chances of success. The truth is, no one ever wants to be told what to do. Unfortunately though, when it comes to alcohol and fertility, it’s better to stack the deck in your favor than to risk the gamble of not changing your ways.
A million things can go through your mind when you're about to have, are considering having, or have recently had an intrauterine insemination procedure, also known as an IUI. A few of the questions that you might have included, but aren't limited to:
It can be a very difficult thing when you're having trouble conceiving a child. Many couples have experienced a lot of stress in their relationships over the disappointment of months going by without conception taking place. At some point on your journey of trying to achieve pregnancy, you might wonder if there is anything you can do to better your chances of conceiving.
One in eight couples struggles with infertility. Nearly 12% of women have sought or received services for infertility. Infertility is tragically common. It’s also shrouded in secrecy. Many couples choose to suffer in silence, thanks to cultural stigma and messages about what infertility means. This can make infertility a deeply isolating experience. You might not know what to expect, or might think you don’t know anyone who has walked this lonely road before.
No matter how old you are, if you’re trying to get pregnant, you probably know that age matters. What you may not realize is that age is about more than a single number. There’s no way to predict any person’s fertility based on age alone. Some people remain fertile much longer than others, and individual factors such as lifestyle and overall health matter, too.
A miscarriage can feel profoundly isolating. You spent days, weeks, or even months getting excited to tell everyone about your pregnancy. Instead, all you’re dealing with is dashed hopes. And if you’re like many people who experience a miscarriage, you might opt to keep it private. That means you’ll have little support, and may even have to continue dealing with intrusive questions about when you intend to have a baby.
Many people do not expect that they are infertile until they want to get pregnant. Once this discovery is made, a whole new world of learning and decision making is revealed. Most couples are tentative about infertility treatment because of the money factor and they have a hard time believing they cannot accomplish pregnancy themselves.
Our modern society has become progressive in so many ways, but one area in which we could still use more work is the way in which we discuss infertility. For so many, “infertility” remains a dirty word, something that shall never be uttered let alone addressed head-on.
