Women's Health Articles

Infertility is a relatively common problem which usually has a marked impact on a couple?s life and their relationship, not only with each other, but with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues.

It is estimated that one in seven couples have difficulty in conceiving. This figure is calculated from those who seek medical help; the true figure is therefore probably higher and is increasing. A woman only has a few fertile days in each cycle and in a ?normal relationship? it may take several months, to achieve a pregnancy. Infertility is often a label and stigma, rather than a diagnosis which should be made with caution.

For most couples the thought of infertility treatment means one thing, IVF (in-vitro fertilisation). Twenty years ago IVF was considered a last resort, a potential miracle for those who otherwise would have no hope of conceiving a baby. Today the pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction and infertility treatment has become synonymous with IVF.

In fact for most patients IVF should not be the first treatment of choice.

The average success rate for IVF treatment in the UK is 19.5%. In other words 80% of all IVF treatments fail to produce a baby. When being offered medical treatment most people are optimistic, feeling it will work for them, unfortunately with IVF the odds are against this. Failure is not just a treatment that didn?t succeed, for the patient it may be devastating, perceived more like a miscarriage or loss of a child.

Apart from the expense and operative procedures, there are also a number of potential problems and health risks associated with IVF for both mother and baby.

For a small group there is currently no alternative to IVF but for most there are options. In approximately one third of infertile couples the cause is designated as ? unexplained, i.e. a standard bank of medical tests does not reveal a factor. When these are examined more carefully, with regard to diet, lifestyle, medications, herbal and nutritional supplements, occupational toxins, allied medical and physiological conditions, many can be both explained and treated. And there are other forms of treatment.