Chike Aguh is a Gynecologist with decades of experience in the field of women’s health. In the following article, Dr. Chike Aguh discusses the topic of infertility, and how advancements in healthcare are making the miracle of childbirth more accessible.
Part of human nature is creating life in the form of another person – one that’s fleetingly tiny and fragile at one moment but will eventually grow up capable of raising future generations of adorable rascals.
But what happens when the cycle stops?
Fortunately, difficulties in conceiving a baby don’t mean all hope is lost. Some medical interventions can make it possible to start a family.
In this article, Chike Aguh Gynecologist discusses fertility treatment options that can help hopeful couples start a family, as well as coping solutions that address the emotions some people endure when conceiving is challenging.
Chike Aguh on Conceiving Through Medical Solutions
Infertility is more common than anyone might assume. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 6 people suffer from infertility. Fortunately, medicine has evolved over the millennia. These days, physicians can diagnose fertility problems in men and women.
Depending on the cause of infertility, men and women can look into these fertility treatment options:
Medications
Women dealing with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) can sometimes suffer from irregular menstrual periods. This means there’s no determined timeline to when they’re fertile. But to induce ovulation, a doctor can prescribe them medications, such as Metformin or Clomiphene.
Furthermore, men are also sometimes prescribed Clomiphene for similar problems, as it can increase testosterone, aiding in sperm production.
Chike Aguh notes however, when medications fail to work, a more invasive approach is considered.
Assisted Conception
Assisted conception comes in many forms. One option is IUI (Intrauterine Insemination). Women who want a child without a partner can benefit from this treatment. In addition, couples where the man has fertility issues can seek more viable sperm from a donor.
Chike Aguh Gynecologist explains that people can also consider IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), a procedure where an egg is fertilized outside the uterus. And there are many reasons why IVF is a preferable alternative conception method.
Some of them can include:
- The woman experiencing ovulation challenges.
- Uterine issues.
- Problems with their fallopian tubes.
- Being older than 35.
- Being a same-sex couple.
However, men can also face infertility problems that can call for IVF.
Once the egg is successfully fertilized, couples can opt to have the embryo implanted in the woman or others – otherwise known as surrogacy.
It’s worth noting that opting for a surrogate doesn’t make any person less of a parent – and nobody should criticize them for it. As stated, they could have hormonal or anatomical problems that make their bodies unideal to carry babies.
Chike Aguh notes that some aspiring parents don’t have success in IVF, despite its nearly 50% success rate (as per UT Health Science Center San Antonio). But when all fertility treatment options fail, there’s still a chance of caring for a child they can call theirs.
Infertility Can Be a Blessing in Disguise
Nobody chooses which family they’ll belong to – everyone is simply born with parents and siblings they did not choose. However, when adopting a child, couples can choose which kiddo to welcome into their arms.
Chike Aguh says that whether an aspiring parent plans on adopting a child of a specific age, gender, background, or appearance, there is one ready to call them their mom or dad. However, people refusing to adopt kids shouldn’t be judged – as the dread of being unable to conceive is already intense.
To those in this situation, there are ways to cope with infertility.
Help and Healing
Just because conceiving a child to call one’s own is unlikely, that doesn’t mean despair will plague couples. For one, participating in charities and initiatives can help other parents and children live happier lives.
Chike Aguh says that helping them can also provide a sense of fulfillment for people dealing with fertility problems.
Lastly, along with strong emotional support from friends and family, another option to aid in healing is to seek help from therapists who can evaluate couples’ emotions on a medically objective level.
Conclusion
Parenting involves hard work that not everyone is willing to commit to. And people commend those who are willing to raise kids. However, others are equally willing yet unable to conceive children of their own.
Chike Aguh Gynecologist says that doesn’t make them less worthy of being called parents – as they can be, provided they have strong emotional support from loved ones and dedicated physicians who will help make their dreams of becoming a parent turn into reality.
