Enhancing Fertility: What Works?
(continued)
One out of four couples with infertility find out that they have more than one contributing factor.
In approximately 2 out of 5 couples with infertility, the male partner is either
the sole cause or a contributing cause of infertility; in another 2 out of 5
infertile couples, the female partner is either the sole cause or a contributing
cause of infertility. This means that in many couples with infertility, both
partners have contributing factors. In women, tubal blockage and/or peritoneal
(intraabdominal) factors account for approximately a third of all infertility
problems. Irregular or abnormal ovulation (release of eggs from the ovaries)
accounts for approximately one out of four female infertility factors. Endometriosis
is found in about a third of infertile women who have laparoscopy (an operation
that uses a thin scope inserted near the belly button to look inside the abdominal
and pelvic areas) as part of their infertility evaluation. Many patients with
specific medical diagnoses will need medical intervention in order to conceive.
Approximately one in five couples who have a complete infertility evaluation are diagnosed with "unexplained" ("idiopathic") infertility- no specific cause is identified. For these couples and others wishing to enhance or accelerate their fertility, simple timing of intercourse may make a big difference. We know that most women have a fertility window of up to-6 days per month. When trying to prevent pregnancy reliably, couples must use contraceptive protection each day of the month. However, when trying to achieve a pregnancy, the issue of timing, or aiming for a certain day can mean a big difference in results.