INFERTILITY is a disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.

Infertility may result from an issue with either you or your partner, or a combination of factors that prevent pregnancy. Fortunately, there are many safe and effective therapies that significantly improve your chances of getting pregnant.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR INFERTILITY

Homoeopathy can be useful in resolving known causes of infertility, such as hormonal imbalance, low sperm count, or endometriosis, and is especially useful in unknown causes of infertility. Homoeopathy treats the whole individual as one unit, taking into account of physical symptoms and feelings. Homoeopathy can help adjust and establish the hormone balance, optimize the menstrual cycle, and boost ovulation in women. Homoeopathy can also help deal with the stressful issues surrounding the efforts to get pregnant and side effects of fertility treatments.

Infertility often causes psychological and mental distress, affecting the health of the patients. Infertility treatment in homoeopathy does not involve any particular medicine. As the symptoms and causes of infertility differ from person to person, the treatment is also individualised. Homoeopathic infertility treatment takes a holistic approach and aims to address the emotional and psychological concerns of the patients.

KNOW YOUR DISEASE

Infertility is a condition of your reproductive system that causes people to be unable to get pregnant (conceive). Infertility can affect anyone and has many causes. 

TYPES OF INFERTILITY

• Primary infertility. You’ve never been pregnant and can’t conceive after one year (or six months if you’re 35 or older) of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse.
• Secondary infertility. You can’t get pregnant again after having at least one successful pregnancy.
• Unexplained infertility. Fertility testing hasn’t found a reason that a person or couple is unable to get pregnant.

SYMPTOMS

The main symptom of infertility is not getting pregnant. There may be no other obvious symptoms. Sometimes, women with infertility may have irregular or absent menstrual periods. In some cases, men with infertility may have some signs of hormonal imbalance. Infertility causes can affect one or both partners. Sometimes, no cause can be found.

CAUSES OF INFERTILITY

MALE INFERTILITY. These may include.

Abnormal sperm production or function due to undescended testicles, genetic defects, health problems such as diabetes, or infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, mumps or HIV. Enlarged veins in the testes (varicocele) also can affect the quality of sperm.

Problems with the delivery of sperm due to sexual problems, such as premature ejaculation; certain genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis; structural problems, such as a blockage in the testicle; or damage or injury to the reproductive organs.

Overexposure to certain environmental factors, such as pesticides and other chemicals, and radiation. Cigarette smoking, alcohol, marijuana, anabolic steroids, and taking medications to treat bacterial infections, high blood pressure and depression also can affect fertility. Frequent exposure to heat, such as in saunas or hot tubs, can raise body temperature and may affect sperm production.

Damage related to cancer and its treatment, including radiation or chemotherapy. Treatment for cancer can impair sperm production, sometimes severely.

FEMALE INFERTILITY. These may include.

• Ovulation disorders. Affects the release of eggs from the ovaries. These include hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Hyperprolactinemia, a condition in which you have too much prolactin — the hormone that stimulates breast milk production — also may interfere with ovulation. Either too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism) can affect the menstrual cycle or cause infertility. Other underlying causes may include too much exercise, eating disorders or tumors.
• Uterine or cervical abnormalities. Includes abnormalities with the cervix, polyps in the uterus or the shape of the uterus. Noncancerous (benign) tumors in the uterine wall (uterine fibroids) may cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes or stopping a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.
• Fallopian tube damage or blockage. Often caused by inflammation of the fallopian tube (salpingitis). This can result from pelvic inflammatory disease, which is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection, endometriosis or adhesions.
• Endometriosis. Occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus, may affect the function of the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes.
• Primary ovarian insufficiency (early menopause). When the ovaries stop working and menstruation ends before age 40. Although the cause is often unknown, certain factors are associated with early menopause, including immune system diseases, certain genetic conditions such as Turner syndrome or carriers of Fragile X syndrome, and radiation or chemotherapy treatment.
• Pelvic adhesions. Bands of scar tissue that bind organs that can form after pelvic infection, appendicitis, endometriosis or abdominal or pelvic surgery.
• Cancer and its treatment .Certain cancers, particularly reproductive cancers often impair female fertility. Both radiation and chemotherapy may affect fertility.

DIAGNOSIS

How is female infertility diagnosed?

First, full medical and sexual history is taken. These tests can also help diagnose or rule out problems:

• Pelvic exam. Pelvic exam to check for structural problems or signs of disease.
• Blood test. A blood test can check hormone levels to see if hormonal imbalance is a factor or if you’re ovulating.
• Transvaginal ultrasound. Your provider inserts an ultrasound wand into your vagina to look for issues with your reproductive system.
• Hysteroscopy. The doctor inserts a thin, lighted tube (hysteroscope) into your vagina to examine your uterus.
• Sono hysterosalpingogram (HSG). The doctor fills your fallopian tubes with saline and air bubbles during an SIS procedure to check for tubal blockages.
• X-ray hysterosalpingogram (HSG). X-rays capture an injectable dye as it travels through your fallopian tubes. This test looks for blockages.
• Laparoscopy. The doctor inserts a laparoscope (thin tube with a camera) into a small abdominal incision. It helps identify problems like endometriosis, uterine fibroids and scar tissue.

HOW IS MALE INFERTILITY DIAGNOSED?

These tests can help diagnose or rule out problems.

• Semen analysis. This test checks for low sperm count and poor sperm mobility.
• Blood test. A blood test can check thyroid and other hormone levels. Genetic blood tests look for chromosomal abnormalities.
• Scrotal ultrasound. An ultrasound of your scrotum identifies varicoceles or other testicular problems.

PREVENTION

Some types of infertility aren't preventable. But several strategies may increase your chances of pregnancy.

Couples. Have regular intercourse several times around the time of ovulation for the highest pregnancy rate. Intercourse beginning at least five days before and until a day after ovulation improves your chances of getting pregnant. Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of the cycle, halfway between menstrual periods — for most women with menstrual cycles about 28 days apart.

Men .Although most types of infertility aren't preventable in men, these strategies may help

• Avoid drug and tobacco use and drinking too much alcohol, which may contribute to male infertility.
• Avoid high temperatures found in hot tubs and hot baths, as they can temporarily affect sperm production and motility.
• Avoid exposure to industrial or environmental toxins, which can affect sperm production.
• Limit medications that may impact fertility, both prescription and non-prescription drugs.
• Exercise moderately. Regular exercise may improve sperm quality and increase the chances for achieving a pregnancy.

Women. For women, a number of strategies may increase the chances of becoming pregnant:

• Quit smoking.  Tobacco has many negative effects on fertility, not to mention your general health and the health of a foetus. If you smoke and are considering pregnancy, quit now.
• Avoid alcohol and street drugs. These substances may impair your ability to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy. Don't drink alcohol or use recreational drugs, such as marijuana, if you're trying to get pregnant.
• Limit caffeine. Women trying to get pregnant may want to limit caffeine intake.
• Exercise moderately. Regular exercise is important, but exercising so intensely that your periods are infrequent or absent can affect fertility.
• Avoid weight extremes. Being overweight or underweight can affect your hormone production and cause infertility.

AN OUTLOOK ON INFERTILITY- BY DR. SMRITI’S HOMOEOPATHIC HEALING

Infertility often causes psychological and mental distress, affecting the health of the patients. Infertility poses many challenges and can feel soul - crushing if you are willing to start or expand your family. It can affect your relationships and emotional health.

If you’re not getting pregnant despite your best efforts, it may be the time to consult a doctor and get treatment. Homoeopathy is a safe, gentle and free of side effect treatment for infertility. Homoeopathic infertility treatment takes a holistic approach and aims to address the emotional and psychological concerns of the patients. As the symptoms and causes of infertility differ from person to person, the treatment is also individualised. Helping my patients to conceive naturally is an amazingly rewarding experience. By giving a patient the correct homoeopathic remedy, we can treat conditions that may lead to infertility.