As more and more couples attempt to have children later on in life, they may find that they have problems with fertility. If you have been trying to conceive for six months up to a year, to no avail, it may be time to pay a visit to an infertility clinic. A qualified fertility doctor can help diagnose what the problem might be, and use the latest advancements in technology to find a suitable solution to your fertility issues. It’s a good idea to first think about what causes fertility, and learn a little bit more about how the reproductive system works.

One of the first things is to pinpoint whether there are reproductive problems stemming from the man, woman, or both partners. In approximately ten percent of cases, there is no cause that can be found. However, in general there is usually a specific problem that can be addressed inside of an infertility clinic. Sometimes the problem is related to lifestyle. Some factors that could impact fertility include the use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco, poor diet, clothing that reduces a man’s sperm count, or high levels of stress. When a fertility problem can be pinpointed to these lifestyle factors, the easiest way to resolve the issue is with medical treatment and a change in the habits.

If lifestyle is not the root cause of problems, the fertility clinic will need to rule out other causes of infertility. In females, the problem usually deals with ovulation. Sometimes polycystic ovarian syndrome is the culprit, which is a problem that can halt ovulation or cause it to become irregular. Blocked fallopian tubes, surgery from an ectopic pregnancy, uterine fibroids, or a host of other physical problems could also interfere with ovulation and must be looked at by a doctor.

In men, infertility could be caused by a problem that is known as varicocele. This is a condition that causes the veins on the man’s testicles to grow too large, overheating them. Cystic fibrosis is also a common condition that can lead to infertility. At an infertility clinic, the man will be checked for these problems as well as any other potential causes of a lower sperm count than normal. Some medications, radiation treatments, or health problems including kidney disease can also have a strong effect on fertility, and should be treated directly at the source to find a solution.

As stated earlier, there are a significant number of both male and female related causes for infertility. Most couples seek infertility evaluations and treatments after attempting to conceive pregnancy via one year of unprotected intercourse. But some patients may need an early infertility evaluation. For example, patients over the age of 35 and those with irregular menstrual periods may need early evaluation.

For half of infertile couples, long-established medical treatment or surgical procedures will successfully treat the problem. Other couples may need more advanced treatment modalities, such as in vitro fertilization or assisted reproductive technology. Those who have had tubal ligations, a vasectomy, endometriosis or recurrent pregnancy loss are encouraged to seek early evaluation as well.

Author Bio: One in six couples confronts problems with infertility.