Unexplained infertility can be a source of heartbreak and frustration. Additional treatment, such as IVF (in vitro fertilization), may hold the key to your fertility challenges.
There are many fertility challenges that aren’t immediately visible to the medical community. If you and your partner cannot successfully conceive, the factors limiting your ability to have a baby may require further examination.
Unexplained Infertility Is a Blanket Diagnosis
It’s critical that you remember that a diagnosis of unexplained infertility is simply a starting point. If you have received this diagnosis, be ready to dig further into the condition. Expanding your diagnosis may require that you start a course of fertility treatments to increase the number of eggs released or even to plan for IVF treatments.
Medications
You may be able to increase your chance of conception with the use of medications such as Clomid, a synthetic chemical, which provides the hormonal trigger to cause ovulation. In fact, the further you get into your infertility treatments, the more advanced your diagnosis can become.
Keep Trying
It’s important that you and your partner remember to stay joyful in the act of intimacy. If you’re struggling to conceive, you may find that sex becomes utilitarian or even stressful. To reduce that risk, it’s important to note that couples previously diagnosed with unexplained infertility actually enjoy a 20% chance of conception within five years of the diagnosis.
Age Matters
If you are over the age of 35 when you get your diagnosis, it’s time to seek additional medical treatment. For those who get their diagnosis at 30 or 31, you have about afive-year window. If you haven’t conceived by 35, the 20% chance drops significantly. Be ready to get assertive with your doctor and if you feel you’re not being taken seriously, seek additional medical advice.
Share with Care
If you’re struggling with fertility challenges, it can be easy to become a target of too much homey advice. Let those who provide you with unsolicited opinions know that you are working with your doctors to find a solution for your fertility challenges. They may just be trying to help, but this advice can be frustrating and hurtful. Undue stress is hard on your body, so be ready to tell people to keep their opinions to themselves if you find this upsetting.
Dig Into Stress Management
In addition to unsolicited advice, you may struggle with negative self-talk and self-imposed stress. If you don’t think stress can impact your fertility, remember that stress can destroy your gut, increase your blood pressure, put you at risk of stroke and even cause heart problems. Stress can absolutely impair your body, so stress management is key to your fertility goals. Data from Harvard suggests that IVF treatments are more likely to be successful when paired with mind-body therapy for stress management and psychological health.
Aim for Good Overall Health
In addition to focusing on fertility, work hard to maintain good overall health. Both partners need to focus on good nutrition, plenty of rest, effective stress management and maintaining their physical strength. No matter what method you ultimately use to bring a child into your life, parenthood will completely wear you out and, at the same time, bring you great happiness.
