I think you should meet Alice.
That isn’t her real name, but her emotional story mirrors the experiences of many men and women seeking to become parents.
“I have been trying to have a baby for two years. I spent so much of my adult life trying to avoid pregnancy to meet my career goals that I felt totally lost when I was unable to conceive. I handled the first few months of ‘trying’ well, but after the third and fourth came around with no good news I started getting really worried… Every month I pray and plan. I am devastated, but I still have hope…”
Like Alice, so many women unable to conceive suffer in silence for a long time before seeking help. Approximately 15 per cent of the reproductive age population is affected by infertility.
Some women are aware of the damnable biological clock and the relationship between aging and the declining number of their normal eggs. However, there are many more factors influencing a woman’s fertility and, while it is still impossible to reverse the aging process, it is important to recognize all the possible causes responsible for infertility.
“Fertility is a multi-faceted equation with multiple variables that can all contribute to pregnancy,” says Valter Feyles, Medical Director of The Fertility Clinic at London Health Sciences Centre and Associate Professor at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.
Many women have a specific problem that prevents them from getting pregnant, such as a hormonal imbalance leading to abnormal ovulation, blockage of the fallopian tubes, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, or a pelvic infection. Male fertility problems are generally associated with sperm number and abnormalities.
The good news is in most cases these problems can be overcome and treatments can be offered for many of these conditions so pregnancy can be achieved.
The first step in confronting fertility obstacles is a full medical checkup to assess the nature of the infertility problem.
“It is important to use a rigorous diagnostic approach to uncover hidden or previously undetected problems,” affirms Feyles. “Our centre is part of a collaborative academic community which includes a leading research university and a comprehensive teaching hospital. Our patients benefit not only from the latest medical innovations in reproductive technology, but also from our team-oriented approach which gives them the best chance to overcome their health problems.”
Suggested treatments may involve lifestyle changes and counseling, use of medications to treat infections or promote ovulation, surgery to unblock fallopian tubes, remove fibroids or alleviate endometriosis, or sophisticated assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI).
Awareness is also very important to help couples value their fertility and avoid common mistakes that may compromise their efforts at conception.
“Information is an enabling factor and the more couples know the better they are able to share the responsibilities necessary to meet reproductive health goals,” adds Feyles.
“Understanding fertility is more than a basic learning of reproductive anatomy and physiology and is not just the ability to detect hormonal changes. Fertility awareness is also about behaviours, emotions and cultural factors.”
In conclusion, what should be done to overcome infertility stigma?
Feyles suggests “people don’t understand infertility because, as a society, we don’t talk enough about it. We want to raise more awareness about these issues so that women and couples feel less alienated.
“We welcome all people of any race, creed, nationality or sexual orientation to visit our centre. We also want to extend a special invitation to our university and hospital population to actively seek help and support for their fertility problems rather than wait or suffer in silence.
“Couples can deal with many fertility difficulties by opening up and by becoming more involved. Sharing and releasing feelings of insecurity, inadequacy, fear, anger, and frustration can also improve emotional, mental and physical health.”
More information
For a description of services, fees and other aspects of The Fertility Clinic at London Health Sciences Centre, visit www.londonfertility.ca or call 519-663-2966 ext. 1 or 519-663-3019.
The writer is a research associate in The Fertility Clinic.