February is Reproductive Health Month in South Africa, raising awareness about many crucially important issues surrounding reproductive health. If you’ve struggled to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, here are some next possible steps to consider.
Every human being has a right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and infertility can negate the realisation of these essential human rights. Addressing infertility is therefore an important part of realising the right of individuals and couples to found a family.
What most people don’t realise is that there are options outside of IVF. It’s important to work with your medical doctor to ascertain what the best next steps and approach should be. If you’re older than 35, your doctor may want to start conducting tests sooner than later and after six months of no conception.
If you’d like to read more about the definition of infertility and its most common causes in men and women, click here.
We can’t fall pregnant, now what?
Typically, the next steps would include fertility tests for both partners. Your doctor may want to conduct a pelvic ultrasound, blood tests and semen analysis, then, depending on the data and results, there will be a variety of approaches. Your doctor may also suggest lifestyle changes, depending on your individual health statuses.
Depending on your test results, these are typically the three next steps or options.
1. Ovulation Medication
This (oral or injectable) medication is administered to improve ovulation patterns and may encourage more than one egg to be released each month, increasing the likelihood of conceiving.
2. IUI – Intrauterine Insemination
This procedure can be performed on its own or in combination with the above treatment. How this works: a small catheter places good-quality semen directly into a woman’s uterus (especially effective if there are issues with ejaculation).
3. IVF – In Vitro Fertilisation
How it works: one or more eggs is removed from the ovaries and fertilised with the sperm in a controlled laboratory setting. The resulting embryo is then implanted into the uterus (this helps to bypass fertilisation challenges within the body).
Every couple and their family journey is unique. Speak to your medical doctor about options that suit your needs as well as your budget.
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