If you’ve encountered fertility issues, you might have assumed that it’s not something many people have to deal with. Many women don’t seek treatment for infertility because they believe that it isn’t a common problem. Others believe that it can only be treated with expensive fertility treatments. Still others are only familiar with a few common types of infertility treatments, and don’t believe that any of them would work.
As more men and women are discovering, there are many different ways to approach a fertility problem. No one solution is perfect, because each case is unique. What’s more, there are many different reasons why couples might be dealing with infertility. Sometimes, the causes of infertility aren’t discussed often enough to suggest that there are treatment options available.
Endometriosis, for example, is a common condition that women face when they realize that they’re struggling to conceive. It’s estimated that around 13.6 million women in the U.S. have endometriosis today, and around 10% of all infertile couples have encountered this problem. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is another condition that many women face. One study found that 16% of women with PID who were actively trying to conceive had encountered problems because of tubal occlusion.
Although millions of men and women around the world encounter infertility, a shocking number of patients don’t seek treatment. Only around 44% of women seek fertility treatment options, even though as many as 90% of all infertility cases can be treated effectively through surgical procedures, like a tubal reversal, or though drug therapy. Of the women who do seek medical assistance, more than six out of 10 women end up becoming pregnant. Even pregnancy after tubal reversal is possible within a year for around 65% of cases.
If you’ve encountered a problem with fertility or if you’re hoping to restore fertility, it’s important to seek a fertility evaluation and talk with a medical professional about your options. Remember, you aren’t alone!