What is Infertility?
Infertility is the inability to conceive a child after trying for a year or more or being unable to carry two or more pregnancies to term.
What would be some of the causes of infertility?
There are multiple causes and even types of infertility, one of the main causes in women is endometriosis, this is when tissue that grows inside of the uterus grows in other places outside of the uterus. It can be very painful and can keep fertilization from happening.
The main cause of infertility in women is PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which is a hormone imbalance, it is associated with insulin resistance. Insulin Resistance is when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don't respond well to insulin and can't use glucose or sugar from your blood for energy.
What would be some of the types of infertility?
-Some types of infertility would be primary infertility; this is when couples struggle to get pregnant after a year or more of trying. This would be trying for your first child.
-Secondary infertility, this refers to couples who have been able to get pregnant at least once, but now are unable. There are some couples who have struggles between each successful pregnancy.
-Unexplained infertility, which is essentially doctors saying you can’t get pregnant, but we don’t know why. Medically you appear healthy with no reason why you shouldn’t be able to get pregnant. This is a tough one because you have no answers, you don’t have a specific thing you can try to see if it will help.
-Lastly, there is also male infertility, infertility is not only female, but it also affects men. Not just physically but also emotionally, they may not show it because men feel they must be strong. But it is difficult for them, because they would love to be a father.
What are some ways people can be there for those struggling with infertility?
-My first piece of advice for those who know someone struggling with infertility, don’t give them advice on different ways to try or what to do and not to do. They will have thought about them all, and it often can hurt more than it can help.
-The best thing you can do is be there for them, be a listening ear to their feelings and what they are going through.
-Tell them you are sorry they are going through this, and you may not understand it, but you are there for them.
-Do tangible things for them, bring them a coffee, send them flowers, or just simply hug them. Even send them a text saying you are thinking of them. All these show you care for them and that their struggle is not forgotten.
