Couples dealing with infertility issues often find it difficult to receive proper, expert help, even though this heartbreaking problem affects 12 percent of couples who are trying to have a baby. In some cases, fertility treatments might greatly increase your chances of becoming pregnant, but the process can make you exhausted and stressed. What’s more, after assessment, up to 30% of infertile couples get a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, a situation that makes everything even more complicated! Recently, a WHO study stated that infertility affects about 17.5% of adults (one in six people globally). 

When couples first start infertility treatment, tests are done on both the female and male partners to figure out the cause of the problem. At least one patent fallopian tube test, proof of the female partner's ovulation, and a semen sample to check the sufficient quantity of motile sperm for the male partner are usually included in this evaluation. After the results come in, the fertility specialist can then make the best fertility treatment decision while weighing all the variables. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t become aware of the many fertility therapies that are available now, so continue reading to find out all the options you have! 

What is Female Infertility?

Female infertility is a disorder of the reproductive system that makes it impossible for a woman to conceive a baby. Pregnancy involves a number of steps, and an issue with any of these processes can result in infertility. 

First of all, the reproductive hormones that regulate ovarian function must be produced by the brain so that the ovary can develop an egg. Ovulation is the process by which the ovary releases an egg, which travels through the fallopian tube, and an embryo is produced when sperm fertilizes the egg. The embryo must be safely implanted inside the uterus for the fetus to grow. Female infertility treatment evaluates the entire reproductive system to find out at which stage the problem is occurring. 

The term "trying to conceive" refers to frequent, unprotected sexual activity, but after six months of unprotected intercourse, if a woman still doesn’t become pregnant, fertility evaluation and treatment could start!   

What is Male Infertility?

Male infertility interferes with a man’s reproductive system's capacity to produce enough viable sperm needed for impregnation. About half of the 186 million instances of infertility that occur globally are because of the male partner’s infertility. Low sperm production, aberrant sperm function, or obstructions that hinder sperm delivery can all contribute to male infertility, and these issues may result from a variety of causes, including illnesses, trauma, long-term medical conditions, and lifestyle decisions. 

What are the Causes of Infertility? 

The most frequent cause of infertility in female individuals is ovulation problems, which is the procedure by which the ovary releases an egg to meet sperm for fertilization. Male infertility is most frequently caused by issues with the shape, motility, or quantity of their sperm. 

Female infertility causes
 | Male infertility causes

Abnormalities in the uterus, fallopian tubes, or vaginal structure | Testicular absence, either congenital or surgical
PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome | Cystic fibrosis
Thyroid diseases | - Erectile dysfunction
- infections such as mumps and TB
- Occupational (identical exposure)
PID, or pelvic inflammatory disorder | Injuries to the scrotum
Endometriosis | Low sperm count 
Uterine fibroids or uterine polyps | Prior exposure to radiation or chemotherapy
Chromosomal or genetic diseases | Prior vasectomy or surgical sterilization
Primary ovarian insufficiency | Anabolic steroid abuse
Congenital absence of  ovaries | Varicocele (enlarged veins) in the scrotum
Autoimmune diseases such as lupus or celiac disease | Chromosomal disorders, such as Klinefelter syndrome
Abnormalities of the pituitary and hypothalamus  | Anejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, premature ejaculation 

Diagnosis of Female Infertility 

The complete medical and sexual history of the patient will be obtained by the healthcare practitioner for the evaluation process, and then tests will be performed. Healthy eggs must be ovulated for a woman to become fertile. This implies that for an egg to be released from the ovary, pass through the fallopian tube, and reach the uterine lining, the brain must transmit hormonal signals correctly. Finding a problem with any of these procedures is the goal of fertility testing! 

1. Pelvic Exam - A pelvic exam will be performed by the doctor to look for any indications of illness or structural issues 
2. Blood test - A blood test can measure the hormone levels to determine whether the woman is ovulating or whether a hormonal imbalance is the cause 
3. Transvaginal ultrasound - To check for problems with one's reproductive system, a healthcare professional puts an ultrasound wand into the vagina 
4. X-ray hysterosalpingogram (HSG) - An injected dye is captured by X-rays as the dye passes through the fallopian tubes during an X-ray hysterosalpingogram (HSG) To search for obstructions inside the tube.
5. Laparoscopy - A tiny abdominal incision is made, and the healthcare professional inserts a laparoscope, a thin tube with a camera, into it. It aids in the detection of issues such as scar tissue, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis.
6. Hysteroscopy - To inspect the uterus, a healthcare professional will insert a thin tube with a light, known as a hysteroscope, into the vagina.
7. Saline sonohysterogram (SIS) - During a saline sonohysterogram (SIS), the healthcare professional performs a transvaginal ultrasound while filling the uterus with saline or sterile salt water. 

What are the Infertility Treatments for Women? 

Some women can increase their fertility with just one treatment, but many others could require a variety of treatments in order to conceive, so let’s take a look at the most effective treatments for female infertility. 

• Fertility medications - These are the primary therapies for ovulation-related infertility because if someone’s ovulation is erratic or ceases, these medicines can assist the ovaries in releasing an egg.  
• Fertility-restoring surgery - Hysteroscopy can be used to treat some uterine problems such as fibroids, scar tissue, and polyps. Remember, certain conditions, including endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, and bigger fibroids may require laparoscopic surgery with tiny incisions or standard surgery with a large incision in the stomach area.
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI) - When the ovary releases one or more eggs for fertilization, healthy sperm from a donor or partner can be inserted directly into the uterus via IUI. IUI can be scheduled to coincide with the menstrual cycle or with the usage of fertility medications, depending on the cause of infertility.  
• In vitro fertilization - Any type of fertility therapy that involves handling both the sperm and the egg in a lab is known as ART (assisted reproductive technology), and in vitro fertilization is the most common ART procedure. This procedure involves using a needle to retrieve mature female eggs from the ovaries and then joining them with sperm in a laboratory for fertilization. If the process is successful, and the egg gets fertilized, the embryo is then placed inside the uterus. 

Natural Ways to Increase Fertility 

When someone is young but still cannot conceive, doctors often advise them to change their lifestyle and practices to naturally increase fertility. If after a year of unprotected sex, a woman is still unable to conceive, then treatment can start. So, let’s take a look at how to increase fertility in women naturally to increase the chance of pregnancy. 

• Nutrition and Diet - One should eat a well-balanced diet full of vital nutrients and make sure the meals contain a lot of lean proteins, fruits, and veggies. One needs to remember that certain nutrients such as iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and folate are especially good for reproductive health, so she must include them in her diet. 
• Taking Care of Reproductive Health - If someone is wondering how to conceive naturally, she must take care of her reproductive health with routine visits to a healthcare professional and follow their every advice to maintain hormonal balance and manage menstrual cycles. 
• Physical activity - Increasing fertility is significantly aided by regular exercise, so one must aim for a mix of strength training, cardiovascular workouts, and fertility yoga positions if they want to. 
• Avoid smoking and Alcohol
• Extremely important to distress yourself.

Final Remarks 

Infertility can create terrible stress and unhappiness in your life, but there are now many medical options you can opt for to become pregnant. Following healthy habits and making better lifestyle choices are always great methods to increase fertility, but in most infertility cases, medical intervention becomes a must.