|
Does Age Diminish Fertility?
|
Dr. Aniruddha Malpani
Renowned infertility specialist. He runs an infertility clinic in Mumbai and has written many books.
|
|
Drop in fertility
Salman asks,
I am thinking of marrying a 38 years old divorcee who had a miscarriage about 10 years ago during her first marriage. She was also on birth control pills for about 7-8 years after her miscarriage. Does this diminish chances of getting pregnant again? Will she have trouble conceiving?
Dear Salman,
Birth control pills taken in the past will not affect her fertility, so you don't need to worry about this. Her age may be a limiting factor however; fertility does drop, as a woman gets older, because of declining ovarian reserve. However, the key is not her calendar age, but the age and quality of her eggs. Checking the blood for the FSH levels can only test this.
Ectopic pregnancy
Neetu Singh asks,
I am married from past four year. Just after 2 months of marriage, I got pregnant, but due to some family circumstances, we had to abort the 3 months old child. In March 2005, I again conceived but unfortunately it was an Ectopic pregnant. I was operated and my left fallopian tube was removed. Now, as per the doctor's advise we created a gap for 1 year. Now since May 2006, I am continuously trying to conceive but vain. As per the complete gynaecological tests, I can conceive but there is some problem still existing.
Dear Neetu Singh,
The fact that you have had an Ectopic in the past is both good news and bad news. It's good news because it proves you produce eggs and that your husband's sperm are good. It's bad news because it does mean that one of your tubes does not function properly. Women who have an Ectopic are at increased risk for having another Ectopic (which is why whenever you do get pregnant, you must ask the doctor to prove it is NOT an Ectopic); and are at increased risk for being infertile. Do a complete workup before starting treatment haphazardly.
You need the following simple medical tests:
- Semen analysis for your husband (to check his sperm count and motility).
- Blood tests for you for the following reproductive hormones - FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), LH (luteinising hormone), PRL (prolactin) and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) on Day 3 of your cycle, (to check the quality of your eggs). Do this from a reliable lab such as Specialty Ranbaxy (www.srlranbaxy.com).
- A HSG (hysterosalpingogram), X-ray of the uterus and tubes, on Day 8 of your cycle (to confirm your right fallopian tube is open). Please send me the detailed test results and medical reports. With these test results, we can determine what medical problems are causing your secondary infertility.
Tubal damage
Anjana asks,
I'm married for 2 years and have undergone hormones test, H.S.G. etc. doctors found hydrosalpinx in right side of fallopian tube and suggested me to go for laparoscopy. My progesterone is also very low. Kindly advice.
Dear Anjana,
Is the left fallopian tube normal? One normal fallopian tube is enough to achieve a pregnancy! However, the fact that one tube is blocked means that the chances of the other tube not functioning properly are also increased. This is because tubal damage is often caused by an infection, which can damage both tubes, (so that even if the tube appears to be open, it may not work properly). The low progesterone simply means that you do not ovulate; and that you will need treatment for this. I don't think a laparoscopy will help.Do a complete workup before starting treatment haphazardly.
You need the following simple medical tests:
- Semen analysis for your husband (to check his sperm count and motility).
- Blood tests for you for the following reproductive hormones - FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), LH (luteinising hormone), PRL (prolactin) and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) on Day 3 of your cycle, (to check the quality of your eggs). Do this from a reliable lab such as Specialty Ranbaxy (www.srlranbaxy.com).
PCOD treatment
Sheetal asks,
I am 24 years old. I am married from past two years. I am having PCOD and primary endometriosis. I had my laparoscopy done. I am on metamorfin 1000mg daily. I was also on clomiphene for 6 cycles. But there was no better outcome. I can't avail of IVF due to my financial problems. Kindly let me know any alternative is available.
Dear Sheetal,
If your fallopian tubes are normal, then your next step is HMG/IUI, to increase the chances of the eggs and sperm meeting. If 3 cycles of this fail, then consider IVF. Your chances of conceiving with the right treatment are excellent because you are young.
Azoospermia
Partha asks,
I am married for 2 ½ years. Still I don't have a baby. I had done semen analysis recently and the result was found zero sperm count. I had mumps orchitis 14 years ago and was under medication. What shall I do?
Dear Partha,
It appears you have a zero sperm count. This is called azoospermia. Can you send me the detailed semen analysis report? Volume? Fructose? PH? Please repeat it again. Do two samples, after an interval of 1 hour (sequential ejaculate), and ask them to centrifuge the sample and check the pellet for sperm precursors. Send me this report once you get it. If it's still zero, then the next step is to find out what the reason for your azoospermia is. There are two possibilities obstructive azoospermia; or non-obstructive azoospermia. You need a testis biopsy to determine if sperm are being produced in the testes or not. A good urologist will do this for you. Ask him to do multiple microbiopsies and send them to the path lab in Bouin's fluid. Let me know what the report is once you get this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| | Digital Upperarm Bp Monitor | Wockhardt Cardiac Health Check | Desktop Ultrasonic Nebulizer | Rs.6,500 ($138.65) | Rs.7,210 ($153.80) | Rs.6,990 ($149.10) | | Rs.5,999 ($127.97) | Rs.2,708 ($57.76) | Rs.6,600 ($140.78) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask our Experts :
Expert Advice, Personality, Immigration (US), Tarot, Hot Couture, Body Care, Matrimonial Laws, Sexual Health, Life, etc, Man vs Woman, Fitness. |
|
 |
|
Furl it
Reddit
