When a couple is unable to conceive after one year of regular and unprotected sexual intercourse arises, it is time to suspect fertility problems, in most cases this problem can be treated to recover the ability to conceive.
Infertility is an extremely common problem, affecting more than one in seven couples attempting their first pregnancy. Difficulties in conceiving may be caused by male fertility problems, female fertility problems, and in 25% of all cases a problem involving both partners.
Most female fertility problems are associated with ovulation, which typically occur when eggs are not released, endometriosis affecting ovulation and prevention of the eggs travel down the Fallopian tube, or when a blockage exists in the Fallopian tubes and the sperm cannot travel up to the egg.
Ovulation is controlled by hormones levels, which once disturbed cause infertility. Irregular periods are sometimes a sign of these changes in hormones so a woman may find that she is ovulating, but not every cycle. Those changes are triggered by strenuous exercise, stress, emotional problems, dramatic weight gain or weight lose and disease.
It is also usual to see a change in ovulation for a small amount of time immediately after stopping hormonal contraceptives, which can also cause infertility, but this problem normally resolves by itself a few weeks later. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is another contributing factor of ovulation problems and hormone imbalances, the same as mucus disorders, medication, fibroids (Adenomysos) and age.
Male fertility problems are usually caused by low sperm count, meaning that there are not as many sperm as there should be, reducing the chances of a sperm fertilizing an egg. In men, heat is a factor that reduces sperm production, when a couple is trying to conceive.
Man should avoid wearing tight underwear, soaking in hot baths, or sitting for long periods of time to avoid his testicles getting too hot. Other leading factors to low sperm count include the intake of illegal drugs, caffeine and alcohol.
Other infertility problems in men include reduction in sperm motility (they way sperm "‘swim"), blockage in the tube that carries sperm from the testicles due to a hormone problem or a genetic cause, and impotence characterized by the trouble a man has gaining or maintaining an erection, caused by physical or psychological factors.
In a few cases, the couple may not have any fertility problem but they cannot conceive a baby. This situation is know as unexplained infertility, a fertility problem with an unknown cause after several tests revealing the fertility conditions are normal but the woman cannot get pregnant after more than 2 years.
This is the most frustrating situation because there is no apparent cause, and nothing to rectify or treat. However, although some couples eventually try assisted reproduction treatments, in around 1/3 of couples diagnosed with unexplained infertility, the woman will get pregnant after the third year without receiving any treatment.
