Infertility Is More Common Than You Think

Affecting millions of couples every year, infertility has grown to epidemic proportions. Approximately 1 in 6 people worldwide will have trouble getting pregnant at some point during the reproductive years. Infertility is characterized by failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse. In the US, about 9% of males and 11% of females are affected by infertility.

What causes infertility?

There are a variety of causes for infertility in men and women. Sometimes, the solution can be simple, like changing tight-fitting underwear to alter the temperature of the testicles, making sperm production more viable. Infertility in women is most often due to problems with ovulation. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that causes infertility from a hormone imbalance and affects 7%-15% of females. Endometriosis is another condition that can lead to infertility due to uterine tissue growing outside the uterus. Age is a well-known infertility factor that diminishes the quantity and quality of eggs and sperm production. By age 40, only around 10% of women will be able to conceive naturally without fertility assistance. Consuming high levels of caffeine, drinking alcohol, and smoking can also impair fertility.

The different techniques of ART

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) encompasses a variety of techniques to facilitate conception. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common ART procedure and involves removing a woman’s eggs, mixing the egg with sperm in a lab to create an embryo, and inserting the embryo back into the uterus. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a process used to primarily address male infertility whereby a semen sample is provided, and a single sperm is identified and injected directly into the egg in a lab. Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) involves combining eggs and sperm in a flexible tube and inserting the sample directly into the fallopian tube to undergo fertilization. Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) mixes eggs and sperm in the lab and returns the zygotes to the fallopian tubes.

Success rates

Approximately 1.9% of all infants born in the US annually are conceived using ART. Based on recent data from 144,773 ART cycles, 50% of women under age 35 became pregnant and delivered a baby. In addition to becoming pregnant, ART can offer preimplantation genetic screening to ensure the embryo contains a normal number of chromosomes and that gene disorders like sickle cell anemia or cystic fibrosis (CF) are not passed on to the baby.

Boosting baby’s health

Although ART can help achieve a viable pregnancy, health is never guaranteed. Luckily, there are some preventative actions people can take to ensure the healthiest outcome possible for the developing baby. Consuming folic acid prior to conception and during pregnancy can help lower the risk of birth defects. Good hand washing and staying up-to-date with recommended vaccinations can help prevent infections that could pass to the fetus. Attending prenatal appointments and performing any necessary testing, such as a glucose tolerance test (GTT), can help identify potential issues early, allowing for intervention to improve health outcomes.

The power of ART

Assisted reproductive technology has transformed the field of reproductive medicine, offering a conception tool to overcome infertility. ART can increase the chances of getting pregnant or prevent hereditary conditions from transferring to a newborn. A healthcare infertility specialist can provide a comprehensive evaluation and make the best possible recommendations for ART, tailored to an individual’s needs and goals, ensuring a healthy pregnancy.