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Let's talk fertility.........

Angela Ivory

A topic that needs no introduction, and yet has such a huge impact either for us as individuals, as couples, as families or for our friends and colleagues around us. If not ourselves, then we will know of someone who has had/who is having difficulty conceiving (primary infertility), trouble conceiving another child after already having given birth (secondary infertility) or unexplained infertility. Let’s pause a moment to consider that no matter what ‘category’ someone may fall under, how terribly heartbreaking it must be to try to accept that you may never have a child or may never have another child & the depths of sadness they must be feeling. Can we really imagine?

At 42, I have completed my family long ago. 3 children and we felt we were complete. I write this as we are in lockdown due to COVID-19 in April 2020, and I often think how hard it must be for families home with babies and little ones. I see Facebook posts about the daily grind, the daily wine to make it through and the comments about groundhog day. I laugh. I laugh because I understand how much hard work it can be to raise little ones - and empathise - especially when they can’t even go to the playground. I do wonder however, how many women are reading these posts while scrolling through their daily social media and would still take it all. They would take the lot, just to have their own precious children.

So, let’s talk fertility…….

Fertility Definition:

  • The ability to conceive children or young, The quality of being fertile

Infertility Definition:

By definition, Infertility is defined as having tried to conceive for 12 months or more OR having sought medical help to conceive. By the age of 38 years of age, infertility was experienced by 26% of women and 22% of men (https://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/understanding-your-fertility/infertility-explained/).

What are the causes of infertility in females?

  • Ovulation - Issues with ovulation or lack of ovulation (annovulation) or irregular ovulation, but not completely absent, is called oligo-ovulation.

  • Endometriosis - A common inflammatory condition where the tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is found outside the uterus. This tissue can form lesions, nodules and cysts which are mostly found in the pelvis, ovaries, bowel, ligaments and the bladder.

  • PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) - This is a condition which affects a woman's hormone levels. Women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes irregular menstrual periods, making it harder for them to get pregnant.

  • Tubal Problems - Partially or completely blocked or scarring which narrows the tubes

  • Recurrent Miscarriage - Recurrent pregnancy loss refers to the occurrence of three or more consecutive losses of clinically recognised pregnancies prior to the 20th week of gestation. 

  • Autoimmune Antibody Disorders - e.g. Diabetes, Autoimmune thyroiditis, Systemic lupus erythematosis

What are the causes of infertility in males?

  • Retrograde ejaculation - This is when the semen enters the bladder instead of emerging through the penis during orgasm, and there is no or very little semen during ejaculation.

  • Blocked ducts - Blockages of tubes can be due to repeated infections, swelling or developmental defects, injury or vasectomy. With a blockage, sperm from the testicles can’t leave the body during ejaculation.

  • Absence of Vas deferens (Congenital) - Congenital absence of the Vas deferens (CAVD) is a condition in which the Vas deferentia reproductive organs fail to form properly prior to birth. Can be unilateral (CUAVD) or bilateral (CBAVD).

  • Failed vasectomy reversal - A vasectomy reversal is considered a ‘failure’ when there is no sperm present in the semen 12 months following the procedure.

  • Autoimmune antibody disorder - Antisperm antibodies (ASA) in the male cause an autoimmune disease 'immune infertility'.

  • Undescended testes in childhood - Undescended testes (Cryptorchidism) occur when one or both testicles do not reach the scrotum and remain inside the abdomen or groin (inguinal canal). Testes need to be in an environment that is a few degrees cooler than the rest of the body. If a testicle does not descend into the scrotum, the warmer environment inside the abdomen or groin can cause it to develop abnormally. The testicle may fail to grow (atrophy), sperm production may be affected - possibly contributing to a reduction in fertilityhttps://www.southerncross.co.nz/group/medical-library/undescended-testes-cryptorchidism)

  • As for females, in males some causes/reasons for infertility are unknown

Understanding fertility language read here

Learn about hormones, ovulation and your menstrual cycle…..it’s fascinating! Click here

Discover how you can: learn, understand and apply the signs of your fertility on a chart with Sympto-Thermal method here and read the facts here

Advice on your journey with infertility:

  • Make sure you have plenty of emotional support (and for your partner too) - seek counselling

  • Really pay attention to the advice you are given - nutrition, lifestyle suggestions e.g. (supplements), work/life balance, regular exercise, restorative sleep, regular therapeutic massage

  • Investigate holistic options and see if this is something you might like to explore (Naturopaths, Medical Herbalists, Acupuncture, Homeopathy) - what works for some may not work for others

  • Incorporate Mindfulness. It doesn’t have to be ‘fluffy’. Pay attention to your thoughts - notice your feelings, the thoughts came first!!

  • Replace ‘remain hopeful’ with ‘remain positive’

  • Remember to enjoy the current while you are planning for the future

When do you seek help?

Heard the phrase ‘my clock is ticking?’ Yes, it is true, fertility does decline with age and is a very important factor to consider. Fertility Associates have a great graph which is very helpful in determining when you should seek help

Fertility/Infertility Support -

Other Support Services -

References:

Information retrieved for this blog (with thanks):

https://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/

https://www.southerncross.co.nz/

** Please note I am not a medical doctor, or claim to be one (nor do I play one on TV)… The purpose of my blog is to share information, a little bit of support and share resources with those who read all the way to this disclaimer. PLEASE seek a professional opinion at all times when it comes to your own personal health and wellbeing or the health and wellbeing of others.