Infertility

Bringing a bundle of joy into the world is not as easy as it seems for everyone. Interfering with the natural course of conception, fertility issues affect both men and women. For example, according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, more than 7 million women between the ages of 15 to 44 possess an impaired ability to have children.

Common Fertility Issues

• Endometriosis: Condition where tiny patches of tissue lining the uterus start compromising other areas of the pelvis, such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

• Premature Ovarian Failure: Follicles are lost or damaged – negatively affecting your chances of getting pregnant.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A hormonal imbalance can cause irregular ovulation – sometimes triggered by stress or an unhealthy diet.

• Uterine Fibroids: Non-cancerous growths can decrease a woman’s chance of getting pregnant.

• Hormonal Imbalances: Women that exhibit hormonal imbalances, such as male-pattern hair growth on the breasts, upper lip or chin, can suffer fertility issues.

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Fertility is affected by STDs, such as herpes and chlamydia, which can destroy the fallopian tubes in women and scar the ductal system in men.

• Sperm Allergy: Affecting men and women, an allergy to sperm can actually prevent couples from successfully getting pregnant.

Other factors that affect fertility include thyroid conditions, chemotherapy treatments, irregular menstruation, exposure to toxic chemicals and substances (like lead), Crohn’s disease, and infections.