The Unexplained Infertility...

Sounds a bit unnerving to the ears isn’t it? The term infertility alone is enough to rob a couple of their lives utmost happiness and yearning to expand their family! Imagine adding insult to the assault, when the cause of infertility is not known... How would it be? Yes there exists a side to infertility issues wherein the cause cannot be uncovered or diagnosed and hence termed ‘unexplained infertility’.

The entire cycle of events involved in the different stages of pregnancy from conception to child birth is known by many these days. Right from the stage of formation of the fetus, to the nine months of pregnancy and delivery; every step is filled with numerous factors that influence the existence of the term - Fertility. Failure in any of the steps can become crucial and question the fertility quotient of either of the partners. The causes behind infertility are many, with only few of them known and only a handful being treatable or preventable. No doubt technologies like IVF (in vitro fertilisation) and surrogacy have greatly helped many couples to realise their dream of having a child; but there are still many out there who continue to be under the dilemma of “Why couldn’t I?"

Unexplained infertility (also termed idiopathic infertility) is a condition wherein the cause for the existence of the malady is beyond the capabilities of medical science to decipher. It involves various factors and causes which become undetectable even after all the routine examinations involving analyzing the sperm from the male partner as well as assessing the fallopian tubes and the uterus of the woman. Pregnancy involves numerous events at the biochemical and molecular level which by and large are not always feasible to diagnose or understand. All such subtle factors that may get affected causing infertility come under the group of “Unexplained Infertility”. 

Females more prone to unexplained infertility...

Women are seen to be affected by the dilemma of unexplained infertility in substantial numbers; especially the ones over 35 years of age. However, in such cases, the most probable conclusion driven is quite known! Yes…it is the quality of the egg. Though the cause is known here, infertility due to egg quality is still counted under unexplained infertility. This is mainly due to the fact that not all women of this age group carry reduced chances of conceiving, and majority also experience their menstrual cycles consistently. Again, analysing the quality of every egg is not practically always feasible.

IVF has answered their prayers!

Most of the couples who exhibit unexplained infertility find reprieve through IVF. These couples are mostly the ones who have failed in achieving pregnancy after more than 3 cycles of intrauterine insemination or clomid treatment (an ovulation simulating drug). Moreover, apart from presenting a solution for infertility, IVF also turns out to be a diagnostic tool for couples with unexplained infertility. Causes such as poor egg or semen quality are better understood when the couple go for IVF treatment. Also, causes of infertility which affect fertilisation and fuel errors during embryo development are better deciphered during the course of IVF treatment.

Known or unexplained, infertility is manageable. Proper guidance and an appropriate approach by affected couples will surely help in eradicating this silent stressor!

For more information, visit http://www.thyrocare.com/