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Overcoming Infertility

A Compassionate Resource for Getting Pregnant

An Excerpt

By Robert Jansen, M.D.

Most couples expect to get pregnant within about six months of trying. If it has taken a year, most will have at least thought of seeing a physician. The tests that are done on the doctor's recommendation lead generally to one of three conclusions.

First, a cause may be found for sterility, that is, for absolute infertility (the subject of Chapter 6). This can be because of a complete absence of sperm cells (spermatozoa) in the ejaculate. It can be from a complete absence of ovulation (anovulation), and in the worst case there might be no eggs left in the ovaries (primary ovarian failure). It can also result from a complete obstruction of the fallopian tubes, which prevents sperm from reaching and fertilizing an ovulated egg. In addition, the embryos that result from fertilization can repeatedly fail to develop, perhaps because the eggs are abnormal (the cause of sterility leading up to the menopause) or, less commonly, because disease of the uterus ruins implantation.

Want to see more?

• The Infertility Marketplace: How Success Rates Are Advertised
• The Facts to Relax: Coping With the Stress of Infertility
• Truth Be Told: Uncovering Common Infertility Myths
• Talk about it!

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