The gift of life is the most precious one we receive throughout our years. Every year there are an estimated 3,988,076 births across the country. Many couples choose to grow their family as a strengthened commitment to each other, unfortunately this may not always happen according to plans. There are a number of present factors from both parties that can result in infertility; the news of infertility can be devastating for couples — thankfully new assisted reproductive technology, hormone therapy treatments, and in vitro fertilization are offering solutions that allow couples to conceive a life and grow their family. Infertility is a difficult issue for many men and women to talk about; the following statistics are designed to show that infertility is more common than people think and that there is help available for anyone to have the chance to be parent of the year.

Infertility in America

A survey of married women conducted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 1.4 million women in the United States are infertile — this amounts to roughly 6% of U.S. women. Infertility affects U.S. males in equal amounts as well. For women under the age of 35, it is recommended that you try and get pregnant for one year before contacting a doctor or healthcare professional. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that around 11% of couples who once conceived a child experience a secondary infertility: this is defined as the couple’s inability to conceive a child again after a year of trying. Studies show that up to 13% of female infertility cases are caused by cigarette smoking — studies show that as few as five cigarettes a day can negatively impact fertility rates for males and females alike. Another 12% of infertility cases are the result of the woman either weighing too little or too much to conceive. In some cases, the infertility is due to a genetic defect, requiring further actions. See what other women in your area are saying to find a gynecologist that can help you with your infertility problem.

Menopause Solutions

For many women, the mean age for menopause is 51, yet some women experience menopause as early as their 30s and other women can experience menopause as late as their 50s. Many women experience early menopause or menopause-like symptoms known as perimenopause; perimenopause is a period of altered menstrual cycles before menopause that typically lasts four years. Menopause is technically once a woman has experienced 12 months without a period. Studies from 2003 suggest that life-long sufferers of depression or those who experience significant financial hardship could suffer from early menopause. For women in their 50s just entering menopause, hormone therapy is a relatively safe treatment that can be used for up to five years and is not associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Hormone treatment is best for those who wish to fight the symptoms of menopause and aging — contact a healthcare professional to determine if hormone therapy is right for you. Other options include in vitro fertilization or surrogacy for couples that are still unable to conceive.

Polycystic Ovaries

With over 200,000 cases per year, another cause for infertility could be the presence of polycystic ovaries. Polycystic ovaries are the result of a hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges. Polycystic ovaries can cause abnormal or irregular menstruation, depression, inappropriate male features, loss of scalp hair, type 2 diabetes, unwanted hair, and infertility. Thankfully there are a number of treatment options designed to combat this hormone disorder including birth control pill treatment to regulate periods, an anti-diabetic medication known as metformin, statins designed to help control high cholesterol, hormones to increase fertility rates, and procedures to help remove excess hair. These treatments can help cure the underlying cause behind polycystic ovaries, allowing couples suffering from the disorder to conceive a happy, healthy baby.