A trip to a fertility doctor is only the first step many couples take in order to have a child.
Infertility hits millions of couples.
One in six couples experiences infertility issues.
It can be heartbreaking.
However, there are solutions available with modern medicine.
Most couples who need a bit of help can usually achieve pregnancy with drugs or minor surgery.
Only a small percentage of couples need further treatment solutions.
That is good news for anyone facing fertility problems.
Let's look at some of the options available so you know what you might face.
The first step in any infertility treatments is to determine what the underlying problems might be.
Sometimes it is a problem with the woman.
Sometimes it is a problem for the man.
Other times it is a mixture of problems on both sides.
In order to treat the problem, it needs identification first.
Two of the more common causes of problems in women are ovulation issues or blockages in the reproductive organs.
In men, the more common causes are low sperm count, problems with the sperm's shape or movement, or a lack of sperm all together.
When you visit a fertility doctor, you can expect to take tests to find out the problem with either or both of you.
If your fertility doctor finds that the woman has issues, there are quite a number of solutions.
If there are problems with ovulation, the doctor can prescribe fertility drugs.
These drugs induce the ovaries to produce eggs.
Clomid is one of the more famous of these fertility drugs, but there are others on the market as well.
Another common treatment is surgery for blockages.
The doctor will use laparoscopy to explore the blockage and attempt to make repairs.
In a very few cases, scarring or blockages may be too severe for the doctor to repair.
If your fertility doctor finds problems with the man, there are options as well.
There are medications available that help increase the strength and viability of sperm.
If the sperm cannot get through due to a blockage, surgery can remove the blockage.
Some men have sperm issues due to infections.
Your fertility doctor may prescribe antibiotics to fight off the infection.
Some men have had better success by wearing looser underpants.
Too much heat around the testicles can lead to low sperm counts.
With so many solutions available, the first step is often the scariest.