National Infertility Awareness Week

National Infertility Awareness Week is April 24 to 30. In honor of this important week I would like to define what Infertility is as well as several myths about infertility.

Infertility is a condition that affects about 6 million American couples, or roughly 10 - 15 percent of the reproductive age population. For many couples who are trying to conceive, something can go wrong in one or several of the reproductive processes, causing infertility. Knowing the facts about infertility can help you make informed decisions regarding your reproductive health.

A couple is usually considered infertile if pregnancy has not occurred after one year of unprotected, well-timed intercourse

Infertility is an issue shared by women and men. In approximately 40% of infertile couples the problem can be traced to the female, and in approximately 40% of infertile couples the problem can be traced to the man. In the remaining 20% of infertile couples the problem is either shared by both partners or is "unexplained."

Infertility may be designated as either primary or secondary. Primary infertility is the term used to describe a couple that has never been able to conceive a pregnancy after at least one year of attempting to do so through unprotected intercourse. Secondary infertility is the term used when a couple has conceived previously, but is unable to conceive again, whether or not the first pregnancy resulted in a live or still birth, miscarriage, or termination.

Myth's
1. Most people get pregnant very easily

FACT: Infertility affects 7.3 million people of childbearing age in the United States -- about 10-15 percent of the reproductive-age population, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

2. It's all psychological; People just need to relax and they'll get pregnant.

FACT: Infertility is a medical condition of the reproductive system. Stress can result from struggles with infertility, not cause it.

3. MYTH: Infertility is a woman's problem.

FACT: Approximately 40 percent of infertility is due to female factors, 40 percent is due to male factors. The remaining 20% of cases are either a result of both partners or for unknown reasons.Consequently, both men and women should be evaluated.

Male infertility factors include:

- Azoospermia (no sperm cells are produced) and oligospermia (few sperm cells are produced).

- Malformed sperm cells

- A genetic disease such as cystic fibrosis or a chromosomal abnormality.

Female infertility factors include ;

- Ovulation disorders

- Blocked fallopian tubes, which can occur when a woman has had pelvic inflammatory

disease or endometriosis

- Congenital anomalies involving the structure of the uterus and uterine fibroids



Even though I personally have not experienced infertility it is a very important issue that I hold close to my heart. I have no idea what women and men are actually feeling and going through. But I do know that the stress and grief infertility causes is the same as what a person dealing with cancer or the loss of a family member feels.