Infertility in Saint Lucia has up to now been a very taboo topic of conversation. We are hoping to create awareness and help those struggling to start a family find hope, because at the end of the day the problem will not go away by itself.
Persons need to be proactive and take care of their sexual health in the same way they would take care of their general health because later down the line they may experience problems when trying to have a baby.
Presently there are men and women in St. Lucia who are trying to have a baby and it’s just not working for them. Do they even know that we have fertility specialists right here in St. Lucia to offer help, advice, treatment and counseling?
Here are some facts relating to infertility:
What is infertility?
Fertility is the natural ability to produce offspring. Conception takes place when a woman’s egg gets fertilized by a man’s sperm resulting in pregnancy. For some couples, having a baby is a fairly straightforward process. However, other couples have difficulty conceiving. ‘Infertility’ refers to when a couple is not successful with conceiving after having unprotected sex for 6-12 months depending on age. There are numerous treatments that can be tried to assist with conception – time needs to be taken with a health care practitioner to decide which is best for you and your partner.
Infertility can be due to ovulation disorders: some problems, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), stop women releasing eggs at all, and some cause an egg to be released only during some cycles, but not others. PCOS is a condition that makes it more difficult for the ovaries to produce an egg. Infertility can also arise from disorders of the uterus or fallopian tubes sometimes resulting in scarring and blockages; fibroids are also common. Age also affects fertility which starts to decline in women aged 35 years and over.
What about Male Infertility?
Infertility in men can be brought on by a lack of sperm, abnormal semen, ejaculation disorders such as retrograde ejaculation, amongst other causes.
Is infertility a common problem?
Yes. About 10 percent of women in the United States aged 16-44 have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
How long should women try to get pregnant before seeking help?
Most experts suggest at least one year. Women 35 or older should see their doctor after six months of trying. A woman’s chances of having a baby decrease rapidly every year after the age of 30.
How will doctors find out if a woman and her partner have fertility problems?
By performing a fertility checkup. This may involve blood tests, semen analysis and possibly a physical exam. The doctor will also ask for both partners’ health and sexual histories.
Can infertility be treated so one can go on to have children?
Infertility can be treated most of the time with the use of supplements, medicine, surgery, artificial insemination, or assisted reproduction. Sometimes the cause of infertility can be psychologically induced so counseling may be offered.
For women and men out there who are having issues conceiving, please know that there is help for you. The Natural Fertility Center St. Lucia, recently opened, offers fertility products and services such as Management for PCOS, conception packages, IVF support, womb cleansers, treatment for hormonal imbalance and menopause, couples counseling, fertility acupressure, plus a lot more. The Center is now here to help you on your journey to becoming pregnant. You can contact the Center at the Creative Health Center, Rodney Bay.
Charlotte Byrne is a Fertility Therapist practitioner at The Natural Fertility Center.
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Always wonder whether these people spend as much time on ensuring the protection of our natural environment, on the economy and education system as they do trying to bring children into the world. Many of us want children but put very little effort in ensuring they are brought into a safe and equitable society.
A little too late for me for while I still might be able to conceive my attitude towards child rearing has flipped. However, this is much better I am hoping, than just having people undergo a myriad of costly exams and consultations.