What Is Infertility?

Infertility is a medical condition where a woman is unable to conceive or get pregnant despite one year or longer of unprotected sex. Women or men or both of the partners can be having infertility. If a woman is having infertility disorder then it is termed as female infertility and if men are having infertility disorder then it is termed as male infertility.

Types of infertility

Infertility is divided into two parts:

• Primary fertility: Primary infertility refers to those who have never been able to get pregnant or conceive a child at least after 1 year of regular unprotected sex

• Secondary fertility: Secondary infertility refers to those couples who are now unable to conceive after conceiving once.  

What Are The Symptoms Of Infertility?

Not able to conceive after one year of regular unprotected sex is the topmost symptom of infertility.

Symptoms may vary both men and women.

Symptoms of infertility in men are:

• Low sperm count
• Less libido or changes in sexual desire
• Erectile dysfunction, small and firm testicles.
• Premature aging
• Poor ejaculation

Symptoms of infertility in women:

• Changes in  menstrual cycle
• Missed periods or heavy or light periods
• Pain during periods
• Unexplained weight gain
• Loss of hair
• The unwanted growth of hair
• Sudden acne
• Changes in gut

What Are The Causes Of Infertility?

The causes of infertility can be different for both men and women.

Causes of infertility in women:

• Damage or Blockage in the Fallopian tube
• Ovulation disorders, disorders of uterus or cervical
• Endometriosis, pelvic adhesions
• Early Menopause or ovarian insufficiency
• Any sexually transmitted disease

Causes of infertility in men:

• Low sperm count
• Disorder in sperm transport
• Sexual disorder, any sexually transmitted disease

What Are The Things One Should Do To Manage Infertility?

• Do start a healthy diet: Eating a healthy and nutritious diet will help in carrying the pregnancy to full term. Don’t wait for the pregnancy to occur. Before you get pregnant start taking healthy diet which body needs.
• Maintain healthy body weight: Having excess or low body weight can delay your pregnancy.
• Exercise regularly: Staying fit and active will help to conceive more quickly.
• Keep track of your menstrual cycle: A women should keep the track of her menstrual cycle to check her most ovulating days.
• Use of supplements: To prepare the body for pregnancy necessary supplements including multivitamins and minerals should be added to the diet.

What Are The Things One Should Avoid To Manage Infertility?

• Don’t smoke: It can make you infertile and can delay your conception. It can lead to miscarriages and premature labor pain.
• Don’t consume alcohol: Excess intake reduces the sperm count in men and egg production in women. So it should be avoided.
• Don’t eat processed or fried food: Such food can make you obese and can increase the risk of getting infertile.
• Don’t take stress: Stress can also make you infertile for a temporary period of time.
• Don’t consume caffeine: This can lead to low sperm count and cause miscarriages also.

What Are The Best Foods For Infertility?

• Healthy unsaturated fats: These will maintain insulin level and will help to conceive.
• Fruits and vegetables: Include products rich in fiber such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains in your diet as these are easily digestible and do not increase the insulin levels. These help to achieve fertility.
• Whole milk: Consuming whole milk and yogurt can help to conceive and attain healthy pregnancy.
• Vegetables such cabbage, broccoli, potatoes, yam, tomatoes, sprouts are the good sources of vitamin c, iron, and folate. These are necessary to achieve fertility.
• Fruits such as berries, pomegranate, avocado, and banana are the rich sources of vitamin e, vitamin , and energy.They also contain antioxidants which prevent the risks of miscarriages. 

What Are The Worst Foods For Infertility?

• Avoid all trans-fats and processed foods because these increase the insulin in the body and results into obesity also.
• Caffeine: Increases the risk of miscarriages.
• Smoking and alcohol: These have a negative effect on fertility.
• Sugary products and high carbohydrates: These increases the blood glucose level and can cause ovulatory infertility.
• Seafood: These are rich in mercuric content and so can lead to infertility. 

What Are The Medicines For Infertility?

What Are The Tips To Manage Infertility?