Before taking any health-related decision, it is necessary for people to think about all the possible alternatives and treatment options, and the same goes for fertility treatment. We listed 5 things you should know before starting any fertility treatment.
- Determine whether you are infertile or not
The first step before even considering fertility treatment as an option is to determine whether you are infertile or not. Before conducting any tests, your clinic will probably go through your medical history and sexual habits including a pelvic exam for women. Based on that, they’ll recommend tests like semen analysis, hormone tests, and testicular biopsy for men. And for women, they’ll recommend ovulation testing, Ovarian reserve testing, imaging, or hormone tests among others. But before proceeding with any of the procedures note that these tests are expensive and are typically not covered by the insurance companies.
As advised by the University of Chicago Medical Center, if you suspect that you or your partner might be facing infertility, it’s essential to promptly seek an evaluation with a reproductive endocrinologist. Typically, the initial steps will entail visiting the doctor, undergoing blood tests, a pelvic ultrasound, and a semen analysis. Taking these steps early on can be crucial in understanding and addressing any potential fertility issues.
A man’s fertility depends on whether or not his testicles are producing adequate quantity and quality of sperms and if it can travel to the egg, for that semen analysis is conducted. Sometimes lack of sperm cells can be a result of low testosterone or in some cases, testicular cancer, for that reason hormone test and testicular biopsy are done. As for the females, their fertility depends on whether or not the ovaries are releasing healthy eggs, and if those eggs are joining the sperms through the fallopian tubes for the fertilization to take place.
- Age plays a key role
Age is one of the most important factors if not the most important factor that has to be taken into consideration before proceeding with fertility treatment. When a woman takes birth, she is born with all the eggs that will be available to her in her lifetime. The eggs start decreasing both in quality and quantity as the woman starts to age. According to a survey done by ‘BetterHealth channel,’ it is found that a female typically in her early twenties has a 25-30 percent chance of getting pregnant every month but that number decreases drastically for women in their late thirties and early forties, which is just 5% every month.
Tommys website explains that fertility diminishes with age, especially after reaching 35, primarily due to a decrease in both the quantity and quality of eggs. While it might appear that a new egg is produced every month, the reality is different. Women are born with a fixed number of eggs, which are stored in the ovaries. As time passes, these eggs age alongside the woman, which can impact their fertility potential.
Don’t worry, the chance of conceiving for older aged women can be increased slightly if they can use eggs donated by a younger female. But even if you manage to get pregnant through treatment and medications, pregnancy-related complications like miscarriages, stillbirth, abnormalities are more likely in older aged females than younger ones. The age aspect with regards to fertility also applies to men as it did in women because testosterone starts to decrease resulting in lesser and lesser sperms as they enter their forties.
- Don’t compare Success Rates
A lot of clinics measure success rates in different ways. Some clinics consider getting pregnant as success whereas some consider giving birth to be a success. So it will be a mistake to compare the success rates of different clinics as your circumstances can be unique from other couples. According to a 2018 report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were around 306,197 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) cycles performed at 456 clinics in the US. ART involves all kinds of fertility treatments that require the handling of eggs and embryo.
Out of 306,197 (which includes women of all ages), 73,831 resulted in live births and 81,478 live-born infants which stand roughly around 24%. The above stats are provided just to give you an idea of an overall success rate. Success rates depend on a lot of factors which could include your age, health, clinic, and treatment type just to name a few. However different women react differently to different treatments. Some women get pregnant by only one cycle of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) whereas some require multiple cycles of IVF.
- Prioritize your health
Fertility treatment is a long and hectic process and if successful it is followed by a long pregnancy. So if you are not strong and healthy both physically and mentally it may cause miscarriages and stillbirth-like complications which will put you and your baby’s life at risk. Many couples have trouble coping with these consequences after battling through all the distressing and overwhelming psychological pains like anxiety, shock, grief, anger, and depression, etc caused by infertility. So, I urge you to improve and maintain the health of both your body and mind.
One of the most simple and obvious things you can do to improve your wellbeing is to follow a proper diet and exercise routine. Research has shown that couples who regularly engage themselves in physical activities which require low to moderate intensity have a better chance of procreation than their not so active counterparts. A properly structured diet should include a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, greens, healthy fats, and adequate amounts of water. Things you should not incorporate or decrease in consumption are alcohol and smoking. Exercises could be anything from running and yoga to dancing and gardening because the main purpose is to make you active.
LA IVF Clinic suggests that moderate exercise can be highly empowering in easing the stress of infertility. By incorporating regular workouts (1 hour per week to less than 5) along with a healthy diet, you can take charge of your body and promote mental and physical well-being. This proactive approach can contribute significantly to your overall health and may positively impact your journey through infertility.
- Prepare for a Long and Bumpy Ride
The journey of proceeding with any form of fertility treatments until the point of conceiving is a long and bumpy one. Fertility treatments like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) will test you and your partner to your very limits. So you have to prepare yourself both mentally and physically to be able to handle that kind of stress. According to a 2015 report published by the Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey (RMANJ), 55% of the population who experienced infertility felt it was more stressful than unemployment and 61% who proceeded with fertility treatments felt it was more stressful than going through a divorce.
The majority of the IVF cases the women can face various side effects like nausea, bloating, breast pain and tenderness, mood swings, and irritability just to name a few but this is quite normal as you are pumped with hormones. So you need an understanding partner and a strong support system to guide you through the entire process. Remember it may take multiple diagnoses and treatments for you to achieve a successful pregnancy. Even if you have faced the harsh reality of infertility stay strong and most importantly don’t lose hope, there are several other options like surrogacy and adoption for you to try.
In conclusion, we have provided five things everyone should know before starting fertility treatment. We hope these above mentioned five pointers can help you learn more about fertility treatment and help you make better health decisions.
SIMILAR QUESTION
How Do I Prepare My Body For Fertility Treatment?
Introduction
Fertility treatments can be a stressful and emotional journey for many couples. It is important to take the time to prepare your body for fertility treatment so that you can optimise your chances of success. This paper will explore the different ways you can prepare yourself physically to increase the success of fertility treatments.
Physical Preparation
The first step in preparing for fertility treatment is to talk to a doctor to assess your overall physical health. This assessment should include a full medical history, physical exam, and blood tests to check hormone levels. It is important to talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking as some of these may interfere with fertility treatments. Additionally, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy weight.
In addition to adjusting your lifestyle and medications, it is important to prepare your body for the fertility treatments themselves. This includes making sure that you are well-rested and avoiding any strenuous physical activity for the week before the treatments. Additionally, it is important to avoid caffeine and other stimulants, as these can interfere with the treatments.
Nutritional Preparation
Nutrition is also an important factor in preparing your body for fertility treatments. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help to promote optimal fertility. Additionally, it is important to limit processed and sugary foods, as these can interfere with hormone balance.
In addition to eating a balanced diet, it is important to supplement your diet with fertility-boosting vitamins and minerals. These include vitamins C, D, and E, as well as zinc, selenium, and iron. Taking a high-quality prenatal vitamin is also recommended, as this can help to provide the nutrients needed for a successful fertility treatment.
Conclusion
Fertility treatments can be a difficult and emotionally draining process. However, by taking the time to prepare your body physically and nutritionally, you can increase your chances of success. This includes talking to your doctor to assess your overall health and making lifestyle adjustments, as well as avoiding strenuous physical activity and eating a balanced diet with fertility-boosting vitamins and minerals. By taking the time to prepare your body for fertility treatments, you can ensure that you are in the best possible position to achieve a successful outcome.
