Many women have a desire to hold a child in their hands, but for some, this desire is hindered by invisible barriers and because of this, women in particular and many young couples these days are advised to seek medical attention immediately if they have concerns about their fertility health. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Shobha Gupta, board-certified IVF physician and gynaecologist, medical director at Mother’s Lap IVF Centre in New Delhi and Vrindavan, explains the ways in which gynaecological conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, obstructed fallopian tubes, PCOS and other conditions can affect female fertility.
Urging women to visit their gynaecologist whenever they have any concerns about their reproductive health, such as pain, menstrual irregularities, missed periods not related to pregnancy and infertility, Dr Shobha Gupta underlined the importance of seeking specialist help as early as possible for timely detection and diagnosis, which is essential given the variety of treatment options available.
There are many tasks and decisions to be made while beginning your fertility journey. Dr. Shobha Gupta shares some important things to remember –
Medical and health considerations
1. Consult an expert: Meet with a fertility specialist to understand your reproductive health and discuss your options.
2. Understand your cycle: Keep track of your menstrual cycle to identify your most fertile days.
3. Medical history: Share your complete medical history with your doctor, including previous pregnancies, miscarriages, or surgeries.
4. Pre-conception health: Both partners should undergo pre-conception health check-ups to identify and address any potential problems.
5. Folic acid: Start taking folic acid supplements as advised by your doctor to reduce the risk of birth defects.
Financial Planning:
1. Insurance coverage: Check your insurance coverage for fertility treatments and understand how much you will have to spend.
2. Budgeting: Plan and budget for possible treatments, medications, and other related expenses.
Identification of problems and treatment options:
1. Understanding the options: Familiarize yourself with various fertility treatments such as medication, intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), etc.
2. Success rate: Research the success rates of different treatments and discuss this with your specialist.
Medication, minimally invasive surgery, or even assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like IUI or IVF may provide a path to parenthood depending on the particular problem. “This is not just medical information; it is a message of hope,” said Dr Shobha Gupta. She urged women to prioritise their reproductive health and not delay consulting their gynaecologist as prompt action can greatly increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Lifestyle and environmental factors:
1. Healthy weight: Aim for a healthy weight, as being over or underweight can affect fertility.
2. Avoid toxins: Limit exposure to toxins and chemicals in the environment that may affect fertility.
3. Eat sensibly: It is always best to stay away from junk food, especially if you are trying to conceive. Changing your diet is one of the most important ways to prepare your body for becoming a parent. The best way to prepare your body for conception is to eat a balanced diet full of complex carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
4. Focus on action: Expectant mothers are advised to stay away from consuming tobacco products, drinking alcohol, and eating non-vegetarian food. It is important to note that your chances of getting pregnant will increase if you give up these bad habits before conception. Just keep in mind that drinking more than two glasses of wine each day can alter a woman’s estrogen levels and reduce her remaining egg supply.
5. Avoid caffeine: If you drink a lot of tea and coffee, you should also consider reducing your caffeine intake. This is because excessive caffeine intake is linked to a decrease in estrogen levels, which can delay ovulation and reduce your chances of getting pregnant.
6. Have regular sex to get pregnant quickly: Studies show that couples who have sex at least once every other day are more likely to get pregnant than those who don’t. Make sex a pleasure rather than a chore. Fertility peaks can fluctuate even among women with regular cycles, so timing is important.
“Since gynecological problems and infertility are interconnected, proper screening, diagnosis, and treatment are important,” concludes Dr. Shobha Gupta. “The primary goal is to educate women about various ways to deal with infertility problems, which is now a global concern and affects every couple.” So as you begin your path toward fertility, keep everything said so far in mind.
