Changing The Way, We Look At Infertility

For ages, talks on infertility have been ignored, but the problem becomes intense for couple who are unable to have kid. The way society views at you on being childless could be the cause of the stress.

Having kids once you are married is an expectation by default and for those who have problems having a kid, the problem becomes more intensified. The way the society looks at you changes and this can cause a lot of stress to the couple. So, you have to deal with not only a medical issue but also a social issue. ETV Bharat Sukhibhava was in conversation with Dr. Purva Sahakari, an Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist, for more inputs on the same.

Eager to experience the journey of parenthood, many are blessed to have one, while some have to wait with laden eyes and heavy heart to get that one chance to be a mom and dad! When we see infertility as an issue numerically, its merely a tip of the iceberg. This is mainly due to lack of acceptance because of the social stigma associated with it. As a society it is our duty to approach infertility like any other medical problem and that would change the outcome positively for many couples desirous of having a child.

What is infertility? Whom do we call as having a problem to conceive? Infertility is the inability to conceive (become pregnant) inspite of one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. What are the causes of infertility? Is the problem with the wife or with the husband? Infertility has many causes. Both the wife and the husband could contribute to it.

There are many female factors and male factors which could be responsible for inability to conceive. In some cases, there is no definite factor which can be found responsible, such cases are called as unexplained.

Factors responsible for infertility

In Females:

1. Abnormality in growth of follicle (egg),
2. An-ovulation (absence of release of egg from ovaries).
3. Polycystic ovarian syndrome,
4. Tubal blocks,
5. Uterine factors like structural abnormalities (abnormal shape, septum in uterus) or intrauterine adhesion's,
6. Cervical factor (cervical secretions affecting the penetration of the sperms),
7. Endometriosis (presence of uterine tissue outside it) etc.
8. The fertility potential of females reduces with increasing age.

In Male:

1. Azoospermia (absence of sperms in semen),
2. Sperm motility problems,
3. Abnormal forms of sperms,
4. Ejaculation problems etc.

Factors common to both partners:

• Medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid abnormalities, hypertension, some autoimmune diseases, sexual transmitted diseases etc. can have an effect on the fertility.
• Smoking, alcoholism, obesity, prolonged use of some medications have an effect on the semen parameters in males and can cause hormonal imbalance in females.
• Lack of proper sex education, improper timing of sexual contact during a monthly cycle etc. can affect the fecundity i.e. chance of conception.

What are the implications of infertility?

• Infertility bears an impact on the physical and mental health of a couple.
• It has many psycho social implications. Couples may go into denial, frustration and depression etc.
• The social stigma associated with the issue of infertility and inability to have a child affects the mindset of the infertile couple and results in isolation.
• The long duration of treatment along with the high costs of the treatment pose a financial burden on the couple.

For more queries, contact Dr. Purva Sahakari at purvapals@yahoo.co.in