Subfertility is defined as the inability to achieve a successful pregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse. It can be caused by male infertility (e.g., low sperm count), female infertility (e.g., irregular ovulation), or both partners’ fertility issues combined. In some cases, no specific cause for the subfertility is identified and it is simply referred to as unexplained subfertility or idiopathic subfertility.
Causes of Subfertility
Subfertility is a condition where couples experience difficulty in conceiving a child naturally. It affects approximately 15% of couples, making it a common problem. Subfertility is usually caused by an underlying issue with one or both partners and can be linked to physical, psychological and lifestyle factors. Hong Kong subfertility treatment service offers a comprehensive array of assisted reproductive technologies and treatments to help couples struggling to conceive.
One of the most common causes of subfertility is hormonal imbalance. The body needs the right balance of hormones in order to produce mature eggs and healthy sperm. If there is an imbalance in hormone levels then this can interfere with fertility. Hormonal imbalances can be caused by conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders or menopause, as well as taking certain medications or supplements that may change hormone levels.
Another cause of subfertility is poor egg quality or quantity produced by the female partner due to age-related issues such as advancing maternal age (over 35). As women age their ability to produce good quality eggs decreases resulting in fewer chances for conception and increased risk for miscarriage or chromosomal abnormalities in any pregnancies achieved.
In some cases, male fertility issues are responsible for subfertility problems such as low sperm count due to genetic factors, testicular injury/trauma, and infection/disease.
Treatment Options for Subfertility
Infertility is a common problem, affecting approximately 10-15 per cent of couples. While it can be difficult to deal with, there are many treatment options available for subfertility. These include medications, surgery, and assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
Medication is one of the most common treatments for subfertility. These medications are used to help regulate hormones in the body and stimulate ovulation in women or sperm production in men. Clomiphene citrate, gonadotropins, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injections are some of the drugs commonly prescribed to treat infertility. The success rate varies depending on the cause of infertility but can be as high as 80-90 per cent when combined with other treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Surgery is also an option for some cases of subfertility. This can be used to correct physical problems such as blockages or damage that may be preventing conception from occurring naturally. It may also involve removing scar tissue from the uterus or repairing damaged fallopian tubes if needed. Surgery has a much higher success rate than medication alone but should only be considered after other non-surgical treatments have failed due to its invasiveness and potential side effects.
Lifestyle Changes to Increase Fertility Potential
It’s a common misconception that fertility is something we can’t influence or control. However, there are many lifestyle changes you can make to increase your fertility potential. Making changes to your lifestyle is one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve your chances of conceiving.
The first thing you should do is focus on improving your overall health and well-being. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption and reducing stress are all important steps for improving fertility. Eating foods that contain lots of antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables can help protect eggs from damage caused by free radicals. It’s also important to get enough vitamins and minerals in order to provide essential nutrients for reproductive health such as folate, zinc and iron.
In addition to eating a healthy diet, it’s important to maintain a healthy weight in order to optimize fertility potential. Being overweight or underweight can both reduce fertility so it’s ideal if you aim for a BMI between 18-25 which is considered a normal weight range according to the World Health Organization (WHO). If you want an accurate assessment of your BMI then it’s best to speak with your doctor who can calculate this number based on height measurements taken at an appointment.
Conclusion
Subfertility treatment services are an invaluable resource for couples struggling to conceive. They provide a variety of treatments and resources that can help increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. Subfertility treatments can be expensive, but they often lead to successful pregnancies with fewer complications than other methods. Couples should carefully consider their options when choosing a subfertility treatment service and make sure they take advantage of all the available resources in order to increase their chances of success.
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