Reasons For Infertility
Being diagnosed with infertility is quite traumatic. One of the first things that go through your mind is the question: ‘Why? Why me? What are the reasons for infertility?’ Basically, you want to know why you are infertile. On a cosmic scale, I don’t think anyone could give you a straight answer.
Some people might place the blame on your shoulders and tell you that you must have done something to deserve this, or you might even tell yourself that. But I think that’s crazy. Why do so many people who’ve done far worse things than you have seem to get pregnant so easily? Even people who don’t want babies at all?
People might also tell you that one of the reasons for infertility is that subconsciously you don’t really want a baby. Those people have obviously never been infertile. Others might tell you that you aren’t getting pregnant because you want it too much and you are trying too hard. You can’t win!
There are many reasons for infertility that we can be sure of, and once we know what they are, maybe we can do something about them. Here are some of the reasons for infertility:
On the woman’s side:
• Ovulation problems – Eggs aren’t released so there’s nowhere for the sperm to go.
• Advanced age – When it comes to getting pregnant, 35 is an advanced age. Your chances of getting pregnant decrease quickly after 35.
• Blocked ducts or cysts or fibroids – These can all prevent sperm from getting to the egg.
• Hormone problems – Everything has to be finely balanced. Too much of one hormone or too little of another can cause infertility.
• Problems with the uterus.
On the man’s side:
• Low sperm count – When the guy has fewer sperm than normal because of blockages or damaged sperm-producing equipment or environmental factors like too-tight underwear – otherwise known as firing blanks.
• Sperm motility problems – When the sperm can’t swim properly. It’s a tough job being a sperm – you have to be in tip-top condition to make it to that egg.
• Problems with sexual function – If the man can’t get it up, he’ll battle to get it out as well.
There are some other reasons for infertility, but these are the main ones. Some people are diagnosed with something called ‘non-specific infertility’ where even the doctors can’t tell them why they aren’t conceiving. They have all the equipment and it all seems to be functioning correctly and they are doing all the right things at the right times, but nothing is happening. All of these reasons for infertility fly out the window with a diagnosis like that. In this case, there doesn’t seem to be any reason why. So really, nobody can tell you exactly why things aren’t working as you planned. The important thing is to do what you can about the things you can change, and leave the rest to sort itself out.
