Infertility

Female infertility, male infertility or a combination of the two affects millions of couples in the United States. An estimated 10 percent to 15 percent of couples are classified as infertile, which means that they've been trying to get pregnant with frequent, unprotected intercourse for at least a year with no success.

Of all couples classified as infertile, female infertility accounts for about 40 percent to 50 percent. In 30 percent to 40 percent of infertile couples, the man's sperm is the cause, while the remaining 10 percent to 30 percent either is attributed to both male and female infertility or is unexplained.

The cause of female infertility can be difficult to diagnose, but there are many resources and therapies available to treat it. And sometimes, treatment isn't necessary: Half of all infertile couples will go on to conceive a child spontaneously within the next 36 months.

Signs and Symptoms

For women, the main symptom of infertility is the inability of a couple to get pregnant. An abnormal menstrual cycle, either too long or too short, can be a sign of female infertility. There may be no other outward signs or symptoms.

Causes

Problems with ovulation account for most cases of infertility in women. Without ovulation, there are no eggs to be fertilized. Some signs that a woman is not ovulating normally include irregular or absent menstrual periods.

• Less common causes of fertility problems in women include:
• blocked fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or surgery for an ectopic pregnancy
• physical problems with the uterus
• uterine fibroids

Infertility in men is most often caused by:

• problems making sperm -- producing too few sperm or none at all
• problems with the sperm's ability to reach the egg and fertilize it -- abnormal sperm shape or structure prevent it from moving correctly
• Sometimes a man is born with the problems that affect his sperm. Other times problems start later in life due to illness or injury. For example, cystic fibrosis often causes infertility in men.

Integrative Medicine Treatment Options

We combine the best of conventional medicine with the best of complementary and alternative therapies to give you optimal results.

Here are some options we use at the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine LOCATED IN Cincinnati, Ohio

• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic
• Medication, Herbal Therapies and Supplements
• Energy Healing
• Mind/Body Relaxation Techniques
• Medical Massage Therapy