Published:
November 25, 2020
Although you may think of infertility as mainly a woman’s issue, both women and men share equally in conditions that can make it more difficult to get pregnant.
A look at the data might surprise you. About one-third of infertility results from women's challenges; another third from men’s. The remaining cases are a mix of issues or circumstances that may never be completely understood.
Both Partners Should be Evaluated
If you are having trouble getting pregnant both partners may benefit from an evaluation by a fertility specialist.
To get to the root of the problem, doctors will carefully evaluate your health and medical history. A variety of tests, including blood tests, ultrasound, or genetic screening, can help identify why conception may be taking longer than you had hoped.
Female Infertility
Female infertility can be caused by a variety of issues, including:
- Ovulation problems
- Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes
- Advanced maternal age
Male Infertility
In men, doctors usually begin by testing the semen, looking at the number, shape, and movement of the sperm. Other causes of male infertility include:
- Varicocele, an abnormal dilation of veins within the scrotum
- Obstruction
- Medications
- Hormone abnormalities
- Ejaculation problems
Men may be at an increased risk of fertility issues if they have a history of smoking, excessive drug or alcohol use, injury to the reproductive organs, or exposure to environmental toxins such as lead and pesticides.
Treatment for Infertility
Depending on the outcome of testing, various treatment options ranging from lifestyle modification to IVF may be available to you. Whether to pursue fertility treatment is sometimes a very difficult decision and many factors come in to play, such as cost, side effects and success rates when making this decision. Talking with your provider can help you decide which treatment option is best for you.
Penn Fertility Care – Lancaster General Health
At Penn Fertility Care – Lancaster General Health, we will work together to address your concerns with sensitivity, and suggest options to help you best achieve your goals.
To learn more about our fertility services, visit at LGHealth.org/Fertility, or call 717-544-0107.