According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 10.9 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44 suffer from some kind of infertility. Infertility can be the result of an underlying medical condition such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome or defects in the reproductive organs. Men can also suffer from infertility when they have reduced amounts of sperm, or they produce sperm that is not viable.
Some people take for granted how easy it is to get pregnant. Those having problems conceiving may look around and see women seemingly getting pregnant with ease. So, when infertility strikes close to home, it can be very depressing and stressful for everyone involved. Those afflicted may feel inadequate and worry that they are letting others down.
If you are struggling with infertility, here are some suggestions to help you cope with this difficult time in your life.
1. Educate yourself
If you have difficulty conceiving, start researching possible causes. Visit your local library and check out books on infertility. You can also go online for information, but be careful that you are getting information from reliable sources. What could be causing your infertility? Do you have any other symptoms that may indicate an underlying issue? These are good questions to ask.
2. Find a well-trained doctor
Ask someone you know who has experienced similar problems for the name of a good doctor, or ask your general practitioner for references. Find a doctor that will help investigate the cause of infertility and help treat it. A good doctor will also have suggestions for alternative ways to have a baby (invitro fertilization, sperm donation, embryo donation, etc.).
3. Eat healthy
Start nourishing your body. Eat a healthy diet and try to eat as naturally as possible. Modern diets contain a lot of chemicals and additives that can disrupt the endocrine system, which can result in hormonal imbalances. Eat a large amount of fresh vegetables and fruits and try to stay away from packaged foods with preservatives.
4. Exercise
: Exercising your body can help it use insulin and other hormones more effectively, not to mention that exercise can also lower stress levels and help with depression. Be careful not to over exercise, however, because depriving your body of calories can be detrimental to your health and can work against the conception process. Moderate exercise and a healthy diet are the best options.
5. Find support
You will need encouraging people in your life. Confide in those around you whom you trust and can ask for encouragement. Stay away from people who bring you down or make you feel worse about your situation. You can also find support groups in your community, or in online forums.
6. Reduce stress
Stress can be an undetectable cause of infertility. If you have a high-stress job or live in a stressful environment, you may want to consider a change. You can also find ways to deal with stress in a more productive manner, such as starting meditation or yoga practices.
7. Be open to ideas
At some point, you may feel like there is no hope, having tried many things only to find that nothing is working. This is the time to start looking at alternatives, such as adoption. Start researching what is involved in alternative options and be prepared.
Stay positive during this journey. Sometimes, things have a way of working out. The important thing is what you learn along the way. You will cherish your baby that much more for the struggles you have endured to have him or her.
