Can a person with infertility have children? Suggested options for those who are infertile but want to have children.

"Infertility risk is an issue that many couples may face. For families planning to have children, how should they monitor themselves to assess whether they are at risk of infertility? Some couples can conceive within the first year of marriage, while others may try for 2-3 years without any sign of pregnancy. This could be a warning sign that you are at risk of infertility. If you notice such signs, it is important to consult a doctor immediately for further evaluation."

Signs of Infertility Risk in Women Women may show signs indicating the risk of infertility, including: Medical History If a woman has a history of treatment that required radiation therapy, it may affect fertility, increasing the risk of infertility. If undergoing treatment, it’s important to inform the doctor about past treatments to create the most suitable and effective treatment plan. Menstrual Cycle A woman’s menstrual cycle typically lasts 21-35 days, with each period lasting 3-7 days. If a woman notices abnormalities such as light or irregular periods, she should see a doctor to investigate the cause and create a treatment plan to prevent long-term effects. Overweight Excess weight can also increase the risk of infertility. Studies show that women who are overweight or obese have lower natural conception rates (up to 40% lower) compared to women with a normal weight. Overweight women may also face complications during pregnancy, such as delivery issues and heart problems. Age As a woman ages, the likelihood of getting pregnant naturally decreases. Women between the ages of 21-25 are in the optimal range for pregnancy, but fertility declines as they get older due to changes in the reproductive system and decreased hormone production. Women facing fertility issues should consult a doctor for advice and guidance.

Signs of Infertility Risk in Men

Men may also experience signs indicating infertility risk, including:

1. History of Accidents or Treatments
   Men who have experienced accidents or trauma to the genital area or have a history of reproductive system-related diseases (such as mumps or gonorrhea) that affect sperm production, should seek medical advice. This also includes men who have undergone chemotherapy or other treatments that might impact fertility.

2. Lifestyle Habits
   Poor lifestyle choices, such as heavy alcohol consumption, smoking, or frequent partying, can negatively affect sperm quality. These behaviors can lead to weaker, less viable sperm.

3. Sperm Volume and Concentration
   Men should monitor sperm volume, especially if they notice a decrease in the amount of semen despite not engaging in frequent sexual activity or masturbation. Low sperm volume or the absence of sperm in the semen may indicate a problem with sperm production. Another warning sign is a change in sperm concentration, such as if the semen becomes less dense or watery. If these signs are present, it’s important to take a break from sexual activity for 3-4 days before re-evaluating sperm quality.

Natural Infertility

Natural infertility refers to infertility that is congenital and affects the ability to have children. This can result from various causes, such as:

Infertility in Women
This may occur due to chromosomal or genetic abnormalities that prevent ovulation, making it impossible to conceive. Other causes include abnormalities in reproductive organs, such as being born without a uterus, vaginal blockage, absence of fallopian tubes, or infections that lead to fallopian tube blockage, among others.

Infertility in Men
Infertility in men may result from chromosomal abnormalities that prevent sperm production. Congenital defects, such as blocked vas deferens, or a history of traumatic injury to the genital area, can also cause infertility. Additionally, infections like mumps or sexually transmitted infections that damage sperm cells can contribute to infertility.

These issues are typically related to natural infertility, and treatment options may involve seeing a fertility specialist to diagnose the cause and create a treatment plan, such as PESA (percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration) or TESA (testicular sperm aspiration), to help with sperm retrieval.

Infertility from Sterilization

Sterilization infertility occurs when a person undergoes a surgical procedure to permanently prevent conception. In women, this is done by cutting or tying the fallopian tubes, while in men, it involves cutting or blocking the vas deferens. This is often done in families who no longer wish to have children. If a couple decides to have children again after sterilization, assisted reproductive technologies like IVF (in vitro fertilization) or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) can be used.

Sterilization Reversal for Women

Reversing sterilization in women requires consultation with a doctor to assess whether the procedure is feasible, as it is a complex surgery. Even after the reversal, there is no guarantee that pregnancy will occur because factors like age and sperm quality may reduce the chances of success. Many doctors suggest using ICSI instead, as it is less invasive, allows multiple embryo retrievals, and provides better chances for pregnancy. It also reduces the risk of ectopic pregnancy and allows chromosomal testing.

Sterilization Reversal for Men

For men, reversing sterilization also requires consultation with a doctor. Although the procedure is less invasive than for women, it is still difficult. If the vasectomy has been in place for more than two years, there may be no sperm production after the reversal, or sperm might not be present in sufficient quantity. Therefore, a doctor may recommend alternatives like PESA or TESA to retrieve sperm. Depending on the sperm quality, treatments like IUI (intrauterine insemination) or ICSI may be considered, and the approach will be determined based on medical evaluation.

Infertility and Subfertility can occur due to bodily abnormalities, with differences as follows:

Infertility
Infertility can occur naturally and congenitally due to abnormalities in either the female or male reproductive systems. For example, issues like the inability to ovulate or conditions where the body cannot produce sperm can lead to infertility. Sterilization, which involves cutting or tying the fallopian tubes in women or cutting and tying the vas deferens in men, is a permanent form of contraception. This is typically done when a family no longer wishes to have children. If a couple decides to have children again, they must consult a doctor to evaluate suitable methods.

Subfertility
Subfertility refers to the difficulty in conceiving after more than one year of regular sexual activity without contraception, despite the couple trying to have a child. Doctors assess that the couple may be experiencing subfertility. There are many possible causes, such as increasing age in women (which reduces the chance of pregnancy), frequent sexual activity that leads to low sperm count, or misalignment of sexual activity with ovulation days. Male infertility can also be a factor. In cases where a couple is having trouble conceiving, it is important to consult a doctor to identify the cause and receive appropriate treatment.

Infertility in men caused by congenital conditions cannot be treated. However, sterilization has become quite popular in many families as a permanent method of contraception after they have had the desired number of children. If a couple changes their mind later and wants to have more children, sterilization can be reversed through the following methods:

Open Surgery Sterilization Reversal
The patient must consult with a doctor to assess whether the fallopian tubes are long enough and not blocked. If everything is normal, the procedure can proceed. Open surgery sterilization reversal involves general anesthesia. The doctor will make a small incision in the lower abdomen to access the fallopian tubes and reconnect both tubes.

Laparoscopic Sterilization Reversal
Laparoscopic sterilization reversal is a more popular method today. The doctor will make three small incisions in the abdomen to insert a tube-like device with a camera and surgical instruments to reconnect the fallopian tubes. After the procedure, the doctor will inject dye to check if the dye can pass through the tubes properly, ensuring they are ready for pregnancy.

In addition to choosing a sterilization reversal method, patients can also opt for assisted reproductive technologies like IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) or ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), which can increase pregnancy success rates by up to 70%, without the need for further surgery.

Currently, infertility due to congenital sterility or voluntary sterilization to stop having children is a common problem. In the medical field, there are technologies available to assist and resolve infertility issues for couples, allowing them to have children again. However, it is necessary to undergo assessment and evaluation by a medical expert to determine the severity before proceeding with treatment. The most commonly used methods are PESA/ TESA as an alternative to sterilization reversal. If a sufficient amount of sperm is obtained, artificial insemination through IUI can be used. In cases where the sperm count is low, ICSI can be applied to ensure the best possible outcome for successful treatment. If you have any questions, feel free to inquire further via Line@ : @beyondivf