If you and your partner are struggling to have a baby for some time, infertility can be one of the reasons behind it. It may result from an issue concerning you or your partner or both. With time, however, there are several treatments, both for males and females that have cropped up to ensure a safe pregnancy.

It is said that almost every 1 in 7 couples suffer from infertility, ie. they haven’t been able to conceive a child for long. In up to half of the couples, it is male infertility that plays a major role. There are many reasons behind male infertility like low sperm production and unusual sperm function or blockages, which end up preventing sperm delivery. Besides these, frequent illness and lifestyle choices can also contribute to a great extent in infertility to males.

Inability to conceive a child is the main sign of male infertility. However, there are a few other fundamental problems too that may give a hint of a person going through it. These may include an inherited disorder, hormonal imbalance, a condition that blocks the passage of the sperm or even dilated veins around the testicles. Other symptoms that highlight infertility may be a pain in the testicle area, frequently arising respiratory issues, inability to smell, signs of a chromosomal or hormonal abnormality or lower than normal sperm count.

Diagnosing a male infertility problem usually involves a general physical examination and semen analysis wherein the latter the semen is sent to a laboratory to measure the sperm count and also look for any abnormalities when it comes to its shape and movement. Although semen analysis confirms the fitness of the sperm, doctor’s may recommend several other tests too, that look into the causes of infertility and hence attain its apt diagnosis.

Infertility is often defined as trying to get pregnant for at least a year without any success. Although female infertility factors can be difficult to diagnose, there are several symptoms such as ovulation disorders, damaged fallopian tubes, endometriosis, and other uterine and cervical causes that can hamper the chances of getting pregnant. Apart from this, attributes that further accentuate female infertility may range from the age factor, lifestyle habits, smoking and alcohol to stress and even body weight.

The right diagnosis for infertility in females may vary. It can either be Ovulation testing, Ovarian reserve testing or other Hormone testing. Imaging tests such as a pelvic ultrasound that looks for uterine or fallopian tube disease also forms a part of female infertility analysis. Other imaging tests such as Hysteroscopy can look for uterine or fallopian tube disorders. Apart from this, a minimally invasive surgery like Laparoscopy can identify endometriosis, scarring, blockages or any other issues with ovaries and uterus. The treatment for female infertility can range from Intrauterine Insemination- IUI to other assisted reproductive technology like In Vitro Fertilization- IVF which has proven to be the most effective of all. It involves retrieving eggs from a woman, fertilizing them with a sperm in a lab and then transferring the embryos to the uterus post-fertilization.