Have you been trying for a baby for a long time and it’s still not coming? You are not alone. Nowadays, conception problems are affecting more and more couples. However, reproductive medicine specialists can help solve this emotionally and physically very exhausting period. Proven tips can also help.

What is infertility and how to recognize it?

“Infertility is a situation where a couple has been unable to conceive for more than a year with regular sexual intercourse during fertile days. If the woman is more than 35 years old, the interval is reduced to half a year. In Repromeda we always talk about the infertility of the whole couple. Problems with conception nowadays affect about 15 % to 20 % of couples,” says Kateřina Veselá, the clinic’s director and a doctor. 

What causes infertility?

There are hundreds of factors causing fertility problems. In one third of the cases, there is a male factor of infertility, in one third a female factor plays a role and the last third is a combined factor of infertility.

Specifically, we can say that in men it is mostly poor spermiogram parameters, especially low sperm count, poor motility or abnormal shape. In women, infertility is caused by ovulation disorders – problems with maturation and release of the egg, low number or low quality of eggs, endometriosis, obstruction of the fallopian tubes, or adhesions in the ovarian and fallopian tube area. There may also be some genetic abnormalities in both partners that prevent the proper development of the embryo and result in infertility or recurrent miscarriage.

Hormonal imbalances and lifestyle are also very important. Everyone is probably aware that things such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption or drug use can contribute to infertility. However, seemingly small things such as a balanced diet, regular exercise or getting enough quality sleep also play a role.

However, the biggest enemy of fertility is the increasing age of couples trying to have a baby. A woman’s body is biologically best prepared for pregnancy around the age of 25. As age increases, so does the risk of complications and genetic errors. The effect of age on fertility does not escape men either. The quality of sperm also deteriorates with advancing years. 

How to recognize infertility in a man and a woman?

“At Repromeda, we believe that every person and every couple is unique. Therefore, we do not believe in a one-size-fits-all treatment approach. However, some examinations do await all couples who come to us. For women, we focus primarily on small pelvic ultrasound and hormone testing. For men, a spermogram is essential, on the basis of which we will suggest the next course of action. Of course, we also perform genetic testing of the couple, which allow us to determine genetic compatibility, but also, for example, to discover the cause of repeated unsuccessful attempts to conceive or pregnancy losses,” adds Veselá.

Prevention of infertility and how to support it

Whether infertility can be avoided, and how to possibly do so, depends very much on their causes. If the cause is genetic, incorporating a healthy lifestyle will unfortunately not help much. In more severe cases, the use of assisted reproduction is often the only solution. However, there are many couples for whom prevention, such as a healthy lifestyle, avoiding harmful substances and early treatment of underlying health problems, can help to have the baby they desire. But one of the biggest factors causing infertility is the increasing age of couples. Doctor and gynecologist Kateřina Veselá therefore warns:

Early efforts to start a family and not postponing pregnancy until an older age should be considered basic prevention of infertility. 

How to treat infertility?

Before turning to a reproductive medicine clinic, a couple can try a few tips that may help. These include:

• Careful monitoring of fertile days,
• a healthy lifestyle,
• but also holistic medicine. For example, herbal treatments to bring your body back into balance or acupuncture to harmonize its functioning can help.

“Infertility treatment is not just assisted reproduction and artificial insemination. That’s why we have prepared several aids for our clients, but also for all those who are struggling with this problem. You can try out a series of reproductive yoga videos that can be done quietly from the comfort of your home. If you are interested, we are also happy to recommend physiotherapy and exercises according to Mojzisova. To help with proper lifestyle, we offer clients detailed menus to help maintain a healthy body,” the doctor says, adding that all these tips can be tried on their own, but also as part of IVF treatment.

However, it may be that IVF treatment is the only option. This starts with an initial consultation, a detailed examination of the couple and then the determination of a treatment plan. The choice of appropriate treatment methods depends on the specific cause of infertility, making a thorough examination a crucial step. The treatment itself begins with hormonal ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval for the woman, and sperm retrieval for the man. In the embryology laboratory, these cells are fused into an embryo. The resulting embryo is then cultured and genetically tested. The treatment then culminates in the transfer of the embryo into the woman’s body.

Infertility treatment conditions and cost

Each infertility case is individual and requires a specific plan and approach. That’s why treatment prices vary. The amount that the couple has to pay for themselves depends mainly on the hormonal stimulation and support methods that they and their doctor choose together.

Do you have questions or need more information? Check out our website or contact us at our clinics in Brno or Ostrava. At Repromeda, we are here to help you on your way to fulfilling your dream of having a family.