What Should I Know About Infertility?

Many couples who want to have children but are unable to conceive despite having unprotected sexual intercourse often wonder, “Am I infertile?” You can find the answers to your questions in our article.

What is Infertility?

If pregnancy does not occur after 1 year of unprotected sexual intercourse when the woman is under 35 years of age, or after 6 months when the woman is over 35, an infertility diagnosis can be made.
It is extremely important to recognize the factors that affect fertility. By becoming informed and aware, the chances of conceiving, whether naturally or through assisted reproductive techniques, can increase.

If pregnancy has not occurred despite sexual intercourse during the period mentioned above, it is necessary to consult a specialist without delay.

What are the Symptoms of Infertility?

Female infertility often presents itself with irregular menstrual periods. If the time between your menstrual cycles is shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days, there may be an ovulation disorder, which can be a cause of infertility.
Male infertility may not show any symptoms. Burning during urination or discharge can be preliminary signs. However, a spermogram (sperm test) is required for a definitive diagnosis.

After two to seven days of sexual abstinence, a sperm test can provide information about sperm count, motility, and morphology. Based on the test results, an appropriate treatment program is initiated for the patient.

Although pregnancy may seem like a natural and simple process, it is actually extremely complex. The following factors must be met for pregnancy to occur:

Healthy egg production
Healthy sperm production
Healthy fallopian tubes that allow the sperm to reach the egg
The sperm fertilizing the egg
The fertilized egg being able to implant in the uterus
Sufficient embryo quality
Any disruption in one or more of these factors can lead to infertility.

Causes of Female Infertility

We can summarize the causes of female infertility as follows:
Ovulation disorders
Early menopause
Low ovarian reserve
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes
Endometriosis
Advanced age
Cervical problems
Vaginismus

Causes of Male Infertility

There can be many different causes of male infertility. Genetic issues, abnormalities during birth, hormonal causes, chemical factors, inflammation-related diseases, varicocele, and surgical operations are among the leading causes of infertility.
Dietary habits and lifestyle also play an important role in male infertility. Smoking, alcohol consumption, muscle-enhancing drugs, working in very hot environments or with exposure to chemicals, and being overweight can also lead to infertility.

According to the guidelines prepared by the World Health Organization, to be able to father a child, a man should have at least 15 million sperm per milliliter, with a total of 40 million sperm in the entire semen sample. Men with sperm counts below this number are advised to seek treatment if they want to have children.

Initial Consultation with a Doctor

If pregnancy has not occurred despite regular unprotected sexual intercourse, it is important to consult a specialist without delay. At Bahçeci clinics, the initial consultation is free of charge.
During this consultation, our doctor will listen to your medical history. This stage is actually the most important step in ensuring that the treatment process is planned correctly. After this consultation, your doctor may request certain tests. The next stages of the process will be determined based on the couple's medical history.

Schedule an Appointment for an Initial Consultation

Examination and Tests

The doctor examines the prospective mother to gain information about her ovarian capacity and uterus. An AMH test, which shows the condition of the egg reserve, is requested. If necessary, a hysterosalpingography (HSG) or hysteroscopy may be requested.
In addition, thyroid function tests, prolactin hormone levels, complete blood count, blood type, and serological tests such as hepatitis and HIV tests may also be requested for the woman.

If male factors are involved, a urologist will request the necessary examinations and tests. Based on the examination and tests, a diagnosis is determined, and your doctor will inform you about which treatment will be applied.

Implementation of Personalized Treatment

After examinations and tests, in some patient groups, medication treatment is initiated to achieve pregnancy naturally without the need for in vitro fertilization (IVF). If it is possible to conceive without IVF through vitamins, egg monitoring, and lifestyle changes, your doctor will plan a treatment process accordingly.
If natural conception is not possible, the IVF treatment process will be initiated. At our center, each couple's problem is evaluated from different perspectives, and "personalized" treatment programs are implemented.

Detailed information about the IVF treatment process.