Infertility

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A couple who fail to conceive after a year of unprotected sexual intercourse are said to be infertile. As many as one in every four couples in this country experiences infertility at some point.

Conception depends on the successful completion of an intricate and complex chain of events involving both partners. In the women, an egg must mature in one of the ovaries, be released into the fallopian tube, be fertilized in the upper reaches of the tube, complete the journey through the fallopian tube to the uterus - the lining of which has, in the meantime, been building up in preparation for receiving the fertilized egg - and be implanted in the uterine wall. In men, the testes must produce sufficient sperm, which then must mature in the epididymides, coiled tubes located behind the testes, over a period of two to four weeks; travel through tubes called the vas deferens to the seminal vesicles, located under the bladder, where they are stored; be ejaculated successfully into the woman's body; and travel through the cervix and uterus to fertilize the egg in the fallopian tube. Anything that interferes with any of these processes can result in infertility. Moreover, since a woman generally ovulates only once every twenty-six to thirty-five days, the timing of all of these events must be just right for conception to result.

In this section, we will examine some of the more common scenarios that lead to infertility.

General Recommendation

Don't have intercourse more than three times a week. More frequent intercourse may reduce the number of viable sperm in the male partner's semen.

Time intercourse to coincide with ovulation, which usually occurs midway between menstrual periods. Some women can tell when they are ovulating. Signs of ovulation include bloating and breast tenderness and, for some women, slight cramping pain known as mittelschmerz. Unfortunately, many women experience no telltale signs. There are over the counter tests that can help you pinpoint the time of ovulation. These are urine tests that employ a chemically treated dipstick to detect the hormone that triggers the release of an egg.

After intercourse, spend ten to fifteen minutes quietly in each other's arms before getting up. If a woman stays in a prone position for fifteen minutes or so following intercourse, this allows the maximum number of sperm the maximum amount of time to reach the egg.

A woman should consider seeing a licensed acupuncturist. Acupuncture has proven to be quiet effective in helping strengthen the female reproductive system.

If it has been determined that the female partner's body is producing antibodies that are damaging or destroying sperm, the male partner should use a condom for six months. With no contact with the antigen - the sperm - the antibodies the woman's body produces may be lulled into inactivity. After this rest period, time intercourse to coincide with ovulation.

Prevention

It may not be possible to prevent infertility, but there are measures you can take to minimize the possibility. Whether you are male or female, if you have any suspicion you may have contracted a sexually transmitted disease, see your doctor promptly so that treatment, if necessary, can be begun in a timely fashion.

A woman should have regular gynecological examinations starting at age eighteen or within six months of becoming sexually active, whichever comes first, so that any developing problems can be detected and corrected early Adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes a wholesome diet, regular exercise, avoidance of toxins of all kinds, and measures to reduce stress. If you consume alcohol, do so in moderation only.

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