Hope for Infertility: Comprehensive Treatments and Support in Singapore

Infertility Treatment: Hope for Couples Struggling to Conceive

Introduction:

Infertility, defined by the World Health Organization as an inability for a couple to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse, impacts approximately 15 of couples worldwide. This condition is particularly poignant in Singapore, where fertility rates have recently fallen dramatically, hitting a record low of 1.05 children per woman.

A complex interplay of social factors, including higher income levels, changes in attitudes toward marriage and parenthood, and increased educational attnment, partly contribute to this decline in the number of couples having children. However, there is another significant factor at play: infertility.

Infertility affects individuals of all ages but particularly impacts those in their reproductive years. The quality and quantity of sperm decrease significantly with age for men after 40. Similarly, women experience a steady reduction in egg quality post-menopausal onset, which begins around the mid-thirties.

Dr Judith Ong, Associate Consultant at the Division of Reproductive ocrinology and Infertility within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at National University Hospital NUH, underscores that conception is a multi-step process involving egg release from ovaries, travel through the fallopian tubes, fertilization by sperm to create an embryo, and successful implantation in the uterus.

Dr Ong stresses the importance of considering both partners when investigating infertility, as both men and women contribute equally to fertility challenges.

Avlable Treatment Options:

While societal advancements have led many couples to delay having children, there are numerous medical treatments avlable for those struggling with infertility:

1. Optimizing Fertility: Simple lifestyle changes can improve a couple's chances of conceiving. These include supplementing with folic acid by the female partner, engaging in regular physical activity, mntning a healthy body mass index BMI ≤ 25, adopting a balanced diet, quitting smoking, and moderating alcohol intake to no more than one or two units per week.

2. Assessment: For both males and females, comprehensive fertility testing includes semen analysis for men, hormone level blood tests, ultrasound imaging of the testes and scrotum for males; and blood tests to evaluate ovarian function, hormonal levels, swab tests for sexually transmitted infections STIs, pelvic ultrasounds for females, as well as hysterosalpingograms X-rays to screen for blockages in fallopian tubes.

3. Medical Interventions: Deping on the identified causes of infertilitysuch as age-related hormonal issues, sperm disorders, blockages affecting passage, medication or chemical effectsmedical treatments may include hormone therapies, assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization IVF, or surgical procedures to address physical barriers.

4. Intra-Uterine Insemination IUI and In-Vitro Fertilization IVF: IUI involves introducing sperm directly into the uterus during ovulation for better chances of fertilization, while IVF is a more comprehensive process in which eggs are retrieved from ovaries, fertilized with sperm outside the body, then implanted.

5. Gynecological Surgeries: For women experiencing blockages or abnormalities within the reproductive system, surgical interventions may restore fertility or improve conception prospects.

6. Genetic Counseling: For couples dealing with genetic disorders that impact fertility or risk of hereditary diseases in offspring, genetic counseling offers guidance on risks and options for future pregnancies.

7. Experimental Therapies: In utero gene therapy is a cutting-edge approach being explored worldwide, offering hope to parents-to-be who fear transmitting severe, incurable genetic conditions to their unborn children.

:

Seeking help from medical professionals equipped with advanced diagnostic tools and innovative treatment methods can significantly increase the chances of couples overcoming infertility. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at National University Hospital NUH, including its Reproductive ocrinology Infertility Division, offers a complete spectrum of fertility assessments and treatments.

By acknowledging their struggle openly and seeking professional guidance, couples facing infertility have access to an arsenal of options that can offer hope for starting or expanding their families.

To learn more about these services and resources, interested individuals are encouraged to visit National University Hospital's official website for comprehensive information on fertility care and treatment options.

For any inquiries or appointments regarding infertility treatments at NUH, please contact the department directly through their online booking system or by scheduling a consultation via phone or eml.
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