| Yes, I was just another number included in all the | | | | production as you become older. So the risk of |
| infertility statistics out there. We tried for over 18 | | | | infertility increases quite dramatically with age. |
| months to become pregnant, but to no avail. At first | | | | Between 15-29 years old, about 11% face infertility, |
| we believed it really was just timing, so we bought | | | | 30-34 at 17%, 35-39 at 23% and 40-44 at 27%. |
| the standard kit with thermometer to rigorously | | | | Notwithstanding, today there are numerous |
| measure temperature and chart it all. Seemed so | | | | techniques and therapies available to improve your |
| simple, but it didn't make a difference in our case. | | | | chances of pregnancy, from natural herbs, medical |
| Still no pregnancy. It all became very frustrating, | | | | drugs to in vitro fertilization, to name a few. |
| stressful and disheartening to say the least. We set | | | | In fact, in vitro fertilization is extremely popular and |
| an appointment to see a specialist for each of us. In | | | | very effective, showing almost 40% births for those |
| the meantime, I started a research project to learn | | | | around 30 years old. Even women around 40 have |
| as much as possible on infertility and problems getting | | | | 22% live births. Unfortunately, at 43 and above the |
| pregnant. | | | | births drop to only 10%. Even so, this is good news, |
| We knew there must be many others similar to us, | | | | as today older women are using egg donors which |
| but had no idea that between 6 and 7 million couples | | | | dramatically increases the birth success up to 45%. |
| have infertility issues at any given time. That's much | | | | Most importantly, as many as 9 out of 10 women |
| higher than I expected and calculates at about 1 in 8 | | | | find the cause of their infertility early on, take action. |
| couples. Some studies show it as high as 1 in 6. Also I | | | | Today, there are numerous treatments or |
| learned that the problems can be many, but basically | | | | combination therapies, including herbal, acupuncture, |
| are split evenly between women and men, maybe | | | | drugs, egg donor, in vitro fertilization, surgery and |
| with the female slightly higher at 45-50% of the | | | | several others. |
| cases and males at 40% or so. | | | | If you are like I was, another infertility statistic, there |
| Interestingly a very positive statistic shows that as | | | | is hope and a high probability you can get pregnant. |
| many as 85% of couples that consistently try, really | | | | Here's a guide on what I did that may help you move |
| do become pregnant within 1 year. Plus, up to 95% | | | | forward. It won't help to just sit there and wonder |
| will conceive within 2 years. This is good news for all | | | | why me; take action now and you will have your |
| of us experiencing infertility. By the way, just so you | | | | baby. I did. |
| know, infertility is medically defined as consistently | | | | 1. Learn everything you can on infertility-books, |
| trying for over 1 year without success. | | | | internet, health professionals. |
| So what do most couples do when they understand | | | | 2. Purchase a good fertility kit to help you on |
| and finally accept the fact that they maybe infertile? | | | | ovulation timing. |
| Well many receive some form of consultation, | | | | 3. Keep trying, everyday within the window of |
| diagnosis or actual treatment to assist them in | | | | opportunity- usually days 8-19. |
| pregnancy. The balance continue trying on their own | | | | 4. Take a hard look at your lifestyle and clean up-no |
| and may find unique herbal or natural approaches that | | | | smoking, drugs or alcohol. |
| have shown to be very successful. Only about 5% | | | | 5. If you are over or under weight, you have to |
| actually undergo any fertility testing. About 6% seek | | | | make life changes. |
| medical or professional advice and 12% actually use | | | | 6. Don't stress, try to relax, enjoy your life. |
| some form of infertility service. Only 4% take | | | | 7. Research local support groups and give it a try; |
| ovulation drugs and 1% receive a form of artificial | | | | you will get new ideas. |
| insemination. Again I expected these figures to be | | | | 8. If still no luck, set up appointments for each of |
| much higher. It seems unusual that more would not | | | | you for initial testing. |
| participate in a service or at least a consultation | | | | 9. Look into you insurance policy, infertility insurance |
| As you have heard many times, there is a strong | | | | programs, loans and clinic help. |
| relationship between infertility and age. Mostly this | | | | 10. Depending on diagnosis, find the best clinic for |
| results from hormonal issues and reduced egg | | | | help and take action. |