Fertility Terms: Let's Understand Them Simply!

When you and your partner are dreaming of having a baby, you hear strange words one after another when you go to see the doctor, don't you? Sometimes when you hear words like IVF, IUI, PCOS, Endometriosis, you feel a little scared. You think, "What does this mean?" These things are actually not that complicated. Today, we will talk about some important words that you will often hear and learn on this journey, simply, as if you were talking to a friend. Then you will also have a better understanding and confidence about this journey.

First, let's get to know some of our body parts, shall we?

Before we begin this journey, let's briefly review the main parts of a woman's reproductive system.

• Uterus: This is where the baby develops and is protected. We call it the "womb".
• Fallopian tubes: Two thin tubes on either side of the uterus. This is where an egg and sperm first meet and fertilize.
• Ovaries: Where eggs are produced and stored.
• Endometrium: This is the inner lining of the uterus. It is here that a fertilized egg is prepared to implant.
• Ovulation : This is the process by which a mature egg is released from an ovary into the fallopian tube each month. This is essential for conception.
• Ovum/Egg: The female reproductive cell.
• Sperm: The male reproductive cell.

Why is it sometimes too late to have a baby?

Doctors usually call this infertility if a couple has not conceived after a year of trying to conceive without using any form of birth control. The reasons for this can be on the woman's side, the man's side, or both.

Reasons affecting women

• Anovulation: This is when ovulation, or the release of an egg, does not occur properly. This condition can occur if your menstrual cycle is irregular.
• Endometriosis: A very painful condition in which the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus, such as in the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): This is a very common hormonal imbalance. In this, small cysts form in the ovaries, and ovulation becomes irregular. This condition can be seen with symptoms such as delayed menstruation, acne on the face, unwanted hair growth, and obesity.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An infection that causes the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries to become inflamed and swollen. This can lead to blockage of the fallopian tubes.

Male Factor Infertility

• Azoospermia: Complete absence of sperm in the semen.
• Oligospermia : A lower than normal sperm count.
• Motility: This refers to the ability of sperm to swim and travel to the egg. When this ability is reduced, conception becomes difficult.
• Morphology: This refers to the shape and size of the sperm. Sperm that are not properly shaped have a harder time fertilizing an egg.

How do doctors find these things?

When you and your partner go to see a doctor, they will likely order a few tests to find the cause. Don't worry, these are often simple tests.

Well, then what are the treatments?

After finding the cause, the doctor will suggest a treatment plan that suits both of you.

Treatment with medication

Most often, the first step is to start with medication. Clomid is a popular medication. It works by stimulating ovulation. That is, it regulates the maturation and release of eggs.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

If medications fail or there are other complex problems, doctors will talk about ART methods.

• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): This is a simple procedure. Simply put, it involves selecting only the best, fastest sperm from your husband's semen and inserting it directly into your uterus using a thin tube at the time of ovulation.
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): This is what most people know as "in vitro fertilization." This involves removing your eggs and your husband's sperm from your body, combining them in a lab, and then implanting the resulting embryo back into your uterus a few days later.
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): This is another advanced step in IVF. This method is used if the sperm count is very low and the motility is poor. Here, a single healthy sperm is selected and injected directly into an egg. The resulting embryo is then implanted in the uterus, just like in IVF.

Another thing is Ectopic Pregnancy . This is a dangerous condition. What happens here is that the fertilized egg implants itself somewhere else, such as a fallopian tube, instead of in the uterus. Since this is an emergency, if you experience severe pain on one side of your abdomen or fainting, you should see a doctor immediately.

Pregnancy, Infertility, IVF, IUI, PCOS, Endometriosis, fertility treatments