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What is Infertility?
What is Infertility?
Infertility affects 6.1 million people in the United States; approximately 1 out of 8 couples attempting pregnancy are unable to conceive. In addition to the medical aspects of infertility are psychological and financial stresses related to their condition. At Fertility and Women’s Health Center of Louisiana (FWHCLA) , the medical team plays an active role in the treatment of each patient. We work together with the patient and partner as a team to develop a treatment plan that will make the best use of the resources available to solve the problem as quickly, safely and inexpensively as possible.
Infertility results from an abnormality or disease of the reproductive system, in either a male or a female or both, that inhibits the ability to conceive and deliver a child. Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of trying with unprotected intercourse for couples in which the female is under 35 and six months of trying for couples in which the female is over 35.
Approximately one in eight couples are affected by infertility and there are a number of factors, both male and female, that can cause the condition. In fact, in nearly 30% of cases the cause is attributed to the female, in 30% the cause is attributed to the male, in 30% the cause is attributed to both and in 10% of cases the cause is unknown.
Once the cause of infertility has been determined, a plan can be customized for the patient to fit their unique situation and move them along on the path to conceiving a child. In fact, nearly 90% of infertility cases are treatable with medical therapies such as drug treatment, surgical repair of reproductive organs and assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization.
Who Should Treat My Infertility?
An infertility specialist is a physician who dedicates a majority or all of his or her time and training to the treatment of infertility and is usually associated with a fertility center or "program". This commitment is necessary for the physician to stay abreast of the rapid technological advances being made in the field. In addition, advanced fertility treatments are time and labor intensive requiring the physician and his staff to be available seven days a week in order to accommodate those procedures that need to be performed over the weekend.
The infertility specialist usually has his or her facility and medical program designed to accommodate the needs of the infertility patient. This means that the appropriate laboratory equipment and staff are in place to handle the timing and coordination of the sometimes complicated medication schedules, and testing and treatment plans.
Because of the devastating affect infertility has on couples, many specialists now provide emotional support as a part of their fertility program. This support can take many forms including in--house support groups and individual counseling sessions with trained mental health professionals to teach couples cope emotionally with their situation.
Typically, the specialist is a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE). An RE is a physician who completes a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology (4 years) and who has completed a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (usually three additional years). In some cases, the specialist may not have completed a fellowship but has dedicated his clinical practice to treating infertile couples.
See also: What are the Main Causes of Infertility?