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Report ProblemFemale infertility
Also known as Sterility and BarrennessOverview
Female Infertility refers to the inability to conceive in spite of trying through unprotected intercorse for at least a year.
Infertility in women is linked to advancing age, especially over 35 years, underlying medical conditions, interference with ovulation, damage of anomalies in the female reproductive system,or any hormonal imbalance.
Also, unhealthy habits like overconsumption of alcohol and smoking along with stressful and sedentary lives have increased infertility rates in recent years.
The best way to conceive is to create a cohesive healthy environment that can help you get pregnant faster. Eating a healthy well balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting sufficient sound sleep, and managing your stress can help you in this journey.
If you think you need treatment, you may consider talking to a fertility specialist or gynecologist. They can recommend the best fertility treatment option for you.
Key Facts
- Women above 35 years of age
- Female reproductive system
- Endometriosis
- Androgen-producing ovarian tumors
- Adrenal tumors
- Nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Cushing syndrome
- Prolactinemia disorders
- Thyroid disorders
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
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Laboratory tests: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Inhibin-B, Anti-mullerian hormone, and Hormone profile.
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Imaging tests: Hysterosalpingography and Lower abdomen ultrasound.
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Medications: Clomiphene, Gonadotropins, Letrozole, Bromocriptine, and Metformin.
- Surgery: Laparoscopy and Tubal surgery
- Assisted reproduction: Intrauterine insemination, IVF (in-vitro fertilization), GIFT (gamete intrafallopian transfer), and ZIFT (zygote intrafallopian transfer).
- Endocrinologist
- Gynecologist
- IVF specialist
Symptoms Of Female Infertility
The main symptom of infertility is not being able to get pregnant. Symptoms can also depend on many health conditions that can make it difficult to conceive a child. Some of the symptoms include:
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Abnormal, irregular, or no periods
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Bleeding during menstruation is heavier or lighter than usual
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Painful periods with back pain, pelvic pain, and cramping
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Pain during intercourse
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Other symptoms indicating hormonal imbalance, such as:
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Acne and skin problems
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Changes in sex drive and desire
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Dark hair growth on face
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Thinning or loss of hair
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Weight gain
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Confused about irregular periods? What is a Normal Period?
Read this article to answer the questions
Causes Of Female Infertility
To understand the cause of infertility we should understand the steps in conception first and how any problem in each step can hamper your chances of getting pregnant. These include:
1. Sperm transport
The sperms need to travel through the female vagina and cervix to the site of fertilization for the pregnancy to occur. Any changes in the female environment due to hormonal imbalance can destroy the sperm, inhibiting fertilization.
2. Egg transport
This process starts during ovulation (release of an egg from one of the ovaries) where the egg is then picked up by the fallopian tubule where it travels to the uterus. Conditions such as pelvic infections and endometriosis can permanently impair the function of the fallopian tubes, leading to infertility.
3. Fertilization and embryo development
This is the most important step that consists of a union between the sperm and egg for the pregnancy to occur. Any impairments in the fallopian tubule can result in fertilization taking place in the tubules itself leading to ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus).
4. Implantation
It is a process in which the embryo attaches to the surface of the uterus and starts developing into a baby. Abnormalities in the uterus, hormonal or metabolic imbalances, infections, or immunological factors can lead to defective implantation, causing miscarriages.
The various factors that can cause infertility in females include:
1. Ovarian causes
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): It is a hormonal disorder in which ovaries produce large amounts of male sex hormones or androgens which interfere with the development and release of eggs. Some of these eggs develop into cysts, which are little sacs filled with liquid, hence the name, polycystic ovary syndrome. PCOS has been linked to infertility in women.
Learn from our experts more about PCOS, its symptoms, and lifestyle changes to manage it better.
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Premature ovarian failure (POF): Refers to the loss of function of the ovaries before the age of 40. It is characterized by a decrease in the hormone estrogen, loss of female egg cells, and infertility.
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Hyperprolactinemia: High levels of the hormone Prolactin, interferes with the normal production of other female hormones, like estrogen and progesterone. This can change or halt ovulation. It can also lead to irregular or missed periods.
2. Tubal and peritoneal causes
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Inflammatory diseases: Infection of one or more of the upper reproductive organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries can cause inflammation and predispose to infertility issues.
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Endometriosis: It is a condition characterized by the growth of tissue resembling the lining of the uterus outside the uterus. This extra tissue and its surgical removal can cause scarring, blocking the fallopian tubes and making it difficult for the egg and sperm to meet.
3. Structural abnormalities
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Uterine anomalies: The uterine malformations characterized by adhesions and/or fibrosis within the uterine cavity can lead to infertility.
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Fallopian tube anomalies: Any obstruction in the tubules doesn’t let the ovum and the sperm converge, making fertilization unfeasible.
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Cervical anomalies: Cervical stenosis (narrowing or closing of the passageway through the cervix- the lower part of the uterus) might affect natural fertility by impeding the passage of semen into the uterus.
Risk Factors For Female Infertility
1. Age
Fertility declines with advancing age. The 20s and early 30s are usually the best time to conceive. It becomes difficult to conceive after the age of 35.
2. Being underweight or overweight
BMI (body mass index) plays an important role in fertility. Being significantly overweight or underweight can cause hormonal changes that can affect fertility rates.
Trying to get rid of that stubborn fat?
3. Stress
Stress alone cannot cause infertility, but it can interfere with your ability to get pregnant. Research has shown that anxiety also can prolong the time needed to achieve pregnancy.
Stressed? Try these relaxation techniques to help you battle chronic stress.
4. Genetic factors
Gene mutations can cause female infertility and pregnancy disorders.
5. Environmental factors
These include exposure to pesticides, radiation, air pollution, heavy metals, and other chemicals that can disrupt the hormones leading to infertility.
6. Hormonal disorders
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Thyroid conditions: Thyroid diseases are associated with an increased risk of prematurity or stillbirth and can affect fertility.
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Diabetes: Studies show that diabetic women are at increased risk of infertility, delayed puberty, absence of periods, menstrual irregularities and possibly earlier menopause.
Don’t let diabetes slow you down. Up your diabetes care game with our products to meet all your diabetes care needs.
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Others: Excess growth hormone and testosterone also increase the risk of female infertility.
7. Lifestyle
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Diet: Food items with a high glycemic index (shows how your blood sugar (glucose) level changes after eating a specific food item) can cause infertility among women. Moreover, packaged, processed, and fried foods predispose to obesity and diabetes, both known risk factors for female infertility.
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Smoking: In women, smoking can increase the risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy (when fertilized egg implants and grows outside the uterus.)
Do you really know how much harm smoking can do? Read more about 5 ways how your body reacts to the smoke.
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Excessive alcohol: Excessive alcohol intake can lower the fertility rate in women. According to the American Cancer Society, it is best not to drink alcohol. Women who choose to drink alcohol should limit their intake to no more than 1 drink a day.
Did you know?
Can drink caffeine cause infertility? Studies have found that women who drink large amounts of caffeine may take longer to become pregnant. High concentration of caffeine is also found in energy drinks. Know if energy drinks are really good for you.
9. Sexually transmitted disease (STD)
STDs are often associated with the risk of decreased fertility. Some of the identified STDs are syphilis, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus, HIV, etc.
Protect yourself from STDs with our wide range of contraceptives.
10. Chemotherapy
Studies have shown that ovarian function decreases with chemotherapy increasing the risk of infertility in women.
Diagnosis Of Female Infertility
Infertility can be caused by multiple factors. Arriving at a correct diagnosis can help plan the treatment accurately focusing on treating the problem. The diagnosis mainly consists of the following:
1. History
A detailed history must consist of the duration of infertility, menstrual history, gynecological history to include a history of sexually transmitted infections, and sexual history to include frequency and timing of intercourse. Social and lifestyle history along with the family history is also taken into account.
2. Physical examination
The physical exam includes vital signs and BMI, thyroid evaluation, the appearance of an abnormal vagina, pelvic masses or tenderness, and uterine enlargement or irregularity.
3. Laboratory tests
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Hormone testing: A hormonal imbalance may be one of the indicators of infertility. Various hormone levels are analyzed for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. These include:
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Post-coital test: This test analyzes cervical mucus within a few hours of sexual intercourse to inspect the interaction between sperm and cervical mucus.
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Antisperm antibody tests: This test detects if a woman’s immune system may produce proteins that attack sperm (anti-sperm antibodies).
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Clomiphene citrate challenge test (CCCT): It is a sensitive test that picks up a decreased ovarian reserve. It checks both FSH and estradiol levels between days 2 and 4 of the menstrual cycle.
4. Imaging tests
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Hysteroscopy: This test is a gold standard for assessing the uterine cavity. It allows direct visualization of the intrauterine pathology and provides an opportunity for immediate surgical correction.
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Hysterosalpingography: It is one of the common tests which is used to examine the fallopian tubes and help in the detection of any blockage or damage of the fallopian tubes and uterine cavity.
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Laparoscopy: Just like the hysterosalpingogram, this test also helps to detect any abnormalities in the fallopian tubes. In this test, a small instrument known as a laparoscope is inserted into the body through a cut in the abdomen. The instrument helps to view and examine the female reproductive organs. In some cases, it can be used to remove the blockages, if any, found in the body.
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Lower abdomen ultrasound: It is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to scan the internal organs located in the lower abdomen of the body including the pelvic cavity and reproductive system.
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Transvaginal ultrasound: It is an ultrasound test that helps the doctor look inside the uterus for abnormalities such as scarring, fibroids, or polyps. In this, a wand that is inserted into the vagina produces sound waves which give a clear picture of the reproductive organs including the ovaries and uterus.
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Sonohysterograms: This is a special kind of ultrasound that uses sterile saline and air to observe the inner lining of the uterus. The pelvic organs are visualized through a transvaginal ultrasound.
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRIs can be helpful in detecting lesions or rare abnormalities inside the pelvis and uterus.
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5. Endometrial biopsy
A sample of the cells lining the uterus (endometrium) after ovulation is evaluated for signs of inflammation and changes in the endometrium (due to ovulation). It is generally performed about 7 to 12 days after ovulation.
Celebs affected
Prevention Of Female Infertility
Harmful lifestyle choices have been found to have a lasting impact on health and are a major contributing factor to female infertility. Here are a few things you can do to prevent and manage infertility. These include:
1. Maintain a healthy weight
Maintaining a healthy weight lowers the chances of ovulation disorders. To do this, you can exercise regularly and eat a healthy well balanced wholesome diet.
Keep track of your weight with our widest range of weighing scales to choose from.
2. Say No to smoking
Tobacco not only harms your overall health, it adversely affects fertility as well. If you are planning to get pregnant, you should consider quitting smoking.
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3. Avoid or limit the consumption of alcohol
Heavy drinking can increase the risk of ovulation disorders. While it is best not to drink alcohol, women who choose to drink alcohol should limit their intake to no more than 1 drink a day.
4. Manage stress
Everyone suffers from stress from time to time. But if there is continued stress, it can mess up your ovulation. Moreover, in a vicious cycle, infertility can inevitably cause stress and stress can hamper the results of infertility treatment. You can manage your stress effectively by working out, reading, and meditating amongst other stress-coping techniques.
5. Practice safe sex
Sexually transmitted infections can lead to infertility in both sexes. Such infections can spread through the reproductive system, causing damage, scarring, and inflammation in reproductive organs, leading to infertility.
Use the right protection to safeguard yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted infections. Check out our range of contraceptives.
6. Treat existing conditions
Identifying and controlling chronic diseases increases your chances of conception. Regular physical examinations (including Pap smears) help to detect early signs of infections or abnormalities.
Specialist To Visit
If you have tried conceiving for a year or six months or if you are 35 or above, you may consider going to the following doctors:
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Gynaecologist
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Endocrinologist
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IVF specialist
A gynecologist is a doctor who treats issues related to the female reproductive tract. An endocrinologist is a doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating disorders of the glands and organs that make hormones. An IVF specialist is a doctor who specializes in treating infertility.
Consult India’s best doctors online to give you all the care and guidance you need in this journey.
Treatment Of Female Infertility
Treatment of fertility problems needs an accurate diagnosis of the condition and a comprehensive and holistic approach. It consists of the following:
Medications
Fertility treatments are most commonly focused on infertility due to problems with ovulation. The most common medications used to treat infertility help stimulate ovulation. Some of them are:
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Gonadotropins
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Hormonal therapy
Hormone treatment is particularly suitable for women with impaired egg maturation or impaired no ovulation at all. It includes:
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Gonadotropins
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Human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG)
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Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
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Luteinising hormone (LH)
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Pergonal
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Clomiphene citrate-human menopausal gonadotropin (CC-HMG) combination
Surgery
If infertility is due to anomalies in the reproductive organs like the uterus or fallopian tubes, the following surgeries might be advised:
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Laparoscopic surgery: It helps with problems with the uterus (womb) by removing endometrial polyps and fibroids (growths made of the uterine muscle).
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Tubal surgery: If the fallopian tubes are found to be blocked, scarred, or damaged, they can be repaired surgically.
Assisted reproduction
- Intrauterine insemination: In this, many sperms that are washed and concentrated are placed in your uterus around the time of ovulation. It can help if you or your partner have a low sperm count, mild endometriosis, unexplained infertility, or issues with ejaculation or erection.
- IVF (in-vitro fertilization): During this process, mature eggs are taken and fertilized by sperm in a lab. The fertilized egg/eggs are then transferred to the uterus. This procedure is suggested if you have endometriosis, blockage in fallopian tubes, genetic disorder, or unexplained infertility.
- GIFT (gamete intrafallopian transfer) and ZIFT (zygote intrafallopian transfer): In these procedures, the sperm and egg are collected and placed in the fallopian tube. In GIFT, both the sperm and egg are placed without fertilization. But in ZIFT, the sperm and egg are fertilized, and the embryo is placed in the fallopian tube.
Home-care For Infertility in Females
An amazing way to manage infertility is to have a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few home remedies that can help you:
1. Tweak your diet
We all know the importance of food and diet in fertility. Adding these foods can prove to be very beneficial while trying to conceive:
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Pomegranate (Anaar): It is very useful in treating female infertility. Have at least one fresh pomegranate every day to keep your ovaries healthy.
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Indian ginseng (Ashwagandha): Using this herb powder in milk balances hormones and reproductive organs.
- Cinnamon (Dalchini): Studies suggest that cinnamon has been found to have a positive effect on hormones and improve menstrual cyclicity in women with PCOS.
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Dates (Khajoor): Adding dates to your diet helps in reducing the risks of infertility.
2. Cut down on caffeine
Caffeine in small quantities does not affect female infertility. But you may consider cutting down on it if you are trying to conceive. If you have already conceived, then it is best to stay away from it altogether.
3. Make no excuse to skip exercise
Exercise can positively influence fertility in women. Women who do regular, moderate exercise may get pregnant quicker than women who don't exercise at all.
Too lazy to go to the gym and sweat? Try our range of exercise equipment to help you get that daily dose of activity at home.
4. Take time to relax
Infertility comes with numerous tests and visits to the doctor. So it is not surprising that it can be stressful. It can mess up hormones in women as well. So take time to relax and unwind from time to time.
5. Add supplements
Micronutrients have essential roles in fertility, and inadequate levels can have an adverse impact on the ability to conceive. Taking folic acid, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids can help improve fertility.
Explore our widest range of vitamin and mineral supplements to meet all your needs.
Complications Of Female Infertility
Infertility and infertility treatments can lead to a few complications. Here are some of them:
1. Multiple pregnancies: One of the most common complications of infertility treatment is the chance of multiple pregnancies. Having twins, triplets, or more can put you at risk of premature labor and delivery.
2. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): It is an exaggerated response to hormones. Some fertility medicines can cause your OHSS in which the ovaries become swollen and painful.
3. Infections: Although rare, there are chances of getting an infection with reproductive surgery.
4. Psychological stress: Infertility procedures can increase degree of stress leading to depression and anxiety during the entire therapy procedure, due to lack of emotional and educational support. Infertility can sometimes lead to difficulties in marriages as well.
Alternative Therapies For Female Infertility
Alternative options can act as an adjunct to the conventional treatment for infertility and help in your journey to conception. Some of these therapies include:
Relaxation techniques
Multiple relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, guided imagery, and yoga, have been shown to reduce anxiety scores in women undergoing infertility treatment. Yoga, specifically, increases the quality of life and decreases negative feelings and thoughts that are associated with infertility.
Understand other benefits of yoga that even doctors swear by!
Acupuncture
It works by putting tiny, delicate needles into particular body locations. Acupuncture may assist boost blood flow to the reproductive organs, stimulate hormones, control ovulation, and reduce stress, all of which may help in conceiving. However, it is better to consult your doctor before starting acupuncture therapy.
Living With Female Infertility
Infertility treatment can take a physical and emotional toll on you. Living with it can be difficult as it can cause feelings of hopelessness and frustration in you and your partner. Here are a few aspects of infertility and infertility treatment that can help you out.
Psychological impact
Infertility can cause anger, depression, and anxiety. Women with infertility have a number of psychological commonalities like fear of complications during pregnancy, delivery, or maternity. Moreover, the negative thoughts of fear of losing your life or the child during delivery, or fear of failing as a mother are some of the underlying causes of stress that can hamper your chances of being pregnant.
Addressing these psychological problems is the basis of good overall health and increases the chances of conception. The following points can help you out:
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Learn stress-coping techniques
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Have realistic expectations from every phase of treatment
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Talk to your partner about every aspect of your physical and mental health
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Opt for infertility counseling by a qualified medical health practitioner
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Take professional help for psychological issues
Psycho-Social impact
This includes low self-esteem, poor quality of life, and social isolation which is associated with infertility treatment. Also, comparisons between women undergoing repeated IVF cycles and first-time participants may lead to an increase in depressive symptoms. As you navigate through things, you have to make sure:
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That you do not rely on only one option
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Know the other alternatives
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Learn ways to manage stress and anxiety
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Communicate your fears and apprehensions with your partner
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Keep your doctors updated about your mental and physical conditions
Psycho Economical impact
Treatment of infertility can have an economic impact on the couple's lives. Hence, it is important to keep in mind the financial aspect as well. The tips that can help you are :
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Talk to your partner about all the expenses and chart out a proper financial plan
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Select a treatment that fits your budget and expectations
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Know if there is any insurance coverage
Are you tired of hearing all that you need to do to get pregnant? Here are all the myths debunked for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
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