Lexi Webster
Infertility is a common issue in Australia, affecting about one in six couples of reproductive age. It is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Infertility can be caused by a variety of factors, including problems with sperm production or transport, issues with the female reproductive system, and lifestyle choices such as weight, alcohol consumption, and smoking. To address infertility, individuals can seek medical or surgical treatments, as well as make lifestyle changes. Assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF are also available, and organisations like Healthdirect Australia offer free services to help individuals navigate their options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of infertility | Inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse |
| Prevalence | Affects about 1 in 6 Australian couples of reproductive age |
| Causes | Male factors (e.g. low sperm count, poor sperm motility), female factors (e.g. ovulation problems, PCOS), or a combination of both |
| Impact | Stress, uncertainty, disappointment, anxiety |
| Treatment options | Ovulation induction, IVF, surrogacy, adoption, fertility preservation, lifestyle changes |
| Support services | Healthdirect Australia, Your Fertility, Relationships Australia, Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand |
| Guidelines | Australian Evidence-based Guideline for unexplained infertility, PCOS Guideline |
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What You'll Learn
Fertility preservation
In Australia, fertility preservation options for women include freezing eggs, freezing embryos, freezing ovarian tissue, and taking medications to protect the ovaries from toxic chemotherapy drugs. For men, fertility preservation options include freezing sperm and freezing testicular tissue. IVF Australia offers fertility preservation services for both men and women.
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive a pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse. It affects about one in six Australian couples of reproductive age and can be caused by a variety of factors involving male, female, or a combination of factors. These factors include problems with sperm production or transport, issues with the female reproductive system, and hormonal or immune conditions.
To improve their fertility, people can make lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising, and reducing alcohol consumption and smoking. Additionally, fertility treatments such as ovulation induction or IVF are available for those struggling to conceive.
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Counselling and support services
Infertility can be a stressful and frustrating experience for those affected, and it is normal to have feelings of uncertainty, disappointment, and anxiety. Counselling and support services can help individuals and couples navigate the emotional and relational challenges that may arise.
Counselling Services
The Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand is a membership organisation that includes fertility counsellors among its members. They offer full membership to anyone currently working as an infertility counsellor. The organisation also has a professional group, IVF Medical Directors, which assists directors of IVF units in ensuring the sustainable provision of assisted reproductive services.
Healthdirect Australia is a free service where individuals can talk to a nurse or doctor about their concerns and explore options. Similarly, Family Planning NSW offers a Talkline service, as well as a National Relay Service for deaf individuals.
Support Services
Your Fertility and Relationships Australia are mentioned as support services that individuals and couples can access.
Guidelines and Apps
Monash University has developed the Monash Ask Fertility App, which was published alongside evidence-based Australian Guidelines for health professionals treating people with infertility. The app and guidelines aim to increase the chances of pregnancy and help consumers make informed decisions.
Fertility Education
Fertility education can also be a valuable source of support, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their fertility. The Nurses Special Interest Group (NSIG) and the Scientists in Reproductive Technologies (SIRT) are groups that promote education and training in reproductive technologies.
Additionally, individuals can seek information about fertility and infertility online from sources such as Pregnancy Birth and Baby, which offers facts about fertility for men, women, and gender diverse individuals.
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Lifestyle changes
Weight Management
Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for both men and women. Being overweight can alter hormone levels, making it more difficult to conceive. On the other hand, being underweight can also negatively impact fertility. Aiming for a healthy weight range can improve the chances of pregnancy.
Nutrition and Supplements
Adopting a healthy, balanced diet is recommended. Ensuring adequate nutrition and including folate supplements can enhance fertility. A well-rounded diet provides essential nutrients that support reproductive health.
Exercise
Regular moderate exercise is advised to improve overall health and fertility. Exercise helps regulate hormones and can increase the likelihood of conception.
Smoking Cessation
Smoking tobacco, including second-hand smoke, negatively impacts both female and male fertility. Quitting smoking is crucial for improving fertility. The negative effects of smoking on fertility disappear about a year after quitting.
Alcohol and Recreational Drug Avoidance
Alcohol consumption can reduce fertility and prolong the time it takes to conceive. Australian guidelines recommend abstaining from alcohol for women planning pregnancy. Additionally, recreational drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and ecstasy, have been shown to impair fertility. Avoiding these substances maximizes the chances of a successful pregnancy.
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Fertility tests
Fertility testing is an important step in understanding the causes of infertility and can help specialists formulate a personalised treatment plan. Fertility testing usually involves blood tests and ultrasounds for both men and women.
For women, blood tests are used to check for important hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), and prolactin (PRL). FSH stimulates the growth of the follicle containing the egg, and if levels are very low, it may be the reason for amenorrhea (absence of periods). LH stimulates the rapid growth of the follicle that contains the fertile egg before ovulation. It may be normal or elevated in women with irregular or no periods, and profoundly low in women who have lost a significant amount of weight. PRL is usually elevated during pregnancy as it plays a role in breastfeeding. It may also be raised in women who are not pregnant but have irregular or no periods. Blood tests can also be used to check whether or not ovulation is occurring and whether an egg is being produced every month.
Ultrasounds can be used to check the lining of the womb (endometrium) and diagnose any conditions that may be causing issues with implantation. This can include evaluating cysts that might interfere with fertility drug treatments. A more invasive procedure, a diagnostic laparoscopy (keyhole investigation), may be recommended if there is significant discomfort during penetrative sex, a history of pelvic infections, or if an ultrasound indicates a pelvic problem.
For men, the most important fertility test is a semen analysis, which measures the number of sperm, their motility, and their morphology. This can help determine whether the sperm is strong enough to travel to the fallopian tubes, whether there are enough sperm, and whether they are healthy enough to fertilise the egg. In addition to semen analysis, men can also undergo blood tests to check for Y-chromosomal microdeletions, which are essential to establish the source of infertility in men with azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia.
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Fertility treatments
Infertility is a common issue in Australia, affecting about one in six couples of reproductive age. It is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. The good news is that there are many fertility treatment options available to help people struggling with infertility. These include:
Ovulation Cycle Tracking
This involves monitoring a woman's ovulation cycle to help confirm ovulation and pinpoint the fertile window. This can be done through ovulation prediction kits, basal body temperature charting, and monitoring cervical mucus changes.
Ovulation Induction
Ovulation induction is a treatment option for women who are not ovulating regularly or who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It involves the use of medications, such as clomiphene citrate, to stimulate the ovaries and induce ovulation.
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
IVF is a widely known and effective assisted reproductive technology (ART). It involves retrieving a woman's eggs, fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory, and then transferring the resulting embryos into the woman's uterus. IVF can be used in cases of male or female infertility and is often successful when other treatments have failed.
Artificial Insemination
This is a procedure in which sperm is placed into a woman's uterus or cervix to increase the chances of fertilisation. It is often used when there are issues with sperm quality or quantity or if the woman is single or in a same-sex relationship.
Surgical Techniques
In some cases, surgery may be recommended to address structural issues within the male or female reproductive system. For example, varicocele repair surgery can improve sperm quality and motility in men.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle factors such as weight, diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking can all impact fertility. Making healthy changes can sometimes improve fertility and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
It is important to consult with a fertility specialist or healthcare provider to determine the best treatment plan for your specific situation. The cost of fertility treatments can vary, and some treatments may be covered by Medicare or private health insurance.
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Frequently asked questions
Infertility is when a couple has had regular unprotected intercourse for a year but has not been able to get pregnant.
Infertility can be caused by a variety of factors, including problems with sperm production or the transport process, issues with the female reproductive system, hormonal and immune conditions, lifestyle factors, and diseases.
People struggling with infertility in Australia can seek help from fertility specialists, gynaecologists, embryologists, fertility nurses, geneticists, fertility counsellors, or endocrinologists. They can also access support services like Your Fertility and Relationships Australia.
Treatment options for infertility in Australia include medical or surgical techniques, lifestyle changes, fertility treatments such as ovulation induction or in vitro fertilisation (IVF), artificial insemination, surrogacy, or adoption.
Infertility affects about 1 in 6 Australian couples of reproductive age, with about 16% of couples experiencing fertility issues.
