Infertility: The Basic Facts

By Dr. N Layyous

Nothing is more perplexing and troubling than the problems associated with infertility. Many who want to give birth or have a child, struggle after repeated treatments, and take part in a process that some have termed a most difficult road. Thankfully, N Layyous MD lays out all the options while providing the basic facts that will help you make this journey with a kind and caring professional helping you along the way.

From N Layyous MD: In the treatment of infertility, there are no guarantees. But what we can guarantee, is our care for you and the special treatment we give you, in the confidential and caring way in which we deal with all your problems.

Whether you are just starting out, or well along in the path towards fertility, Infertility: Just the Facts is sure to give you some knowledge that will help you! In fact, this little eBook might just contain the knowledge that can help you reach your goal!

• Language: English
• Publisher: TiLu Press
• Release date: Mar 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781005371951

Dr. N Layyous

Dr. Layyous has wide experience in general obstetrics and gynecology both medically and surgically. He performs daily work in obstetrics and gynecology with both inpatients and outpatients. In addition to performing general gynecological operations he is experienced in all aspects of reproductive medicine and surgery, including infertility counseling, diagnosis, ovulation induction, invitro fertilization (IVF), intracystoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), performing tubal reconstruction surgery, selective salpingography and tubal catheterization. He has wide experience in performing diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. He has been doing laparoscopies since 1979 and has done a large number of different operations over the years. Dr. Layyous also has large experience in the investigation and treatment of male infertility, including performing percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA), testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) and testicular sperm extraction (TESE). His experience in ultrasonography started in 1980, and over the past 30 years he has continually developed his skills in both diagnostic and interventional ultrasound, to include the latest four-dimensional ultrasound scanning.

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Publisher's Introduction

It has been our pleasure to help put together this eBook, Infertility: the Basic Facts by Dr. N. Layyous. We believe the book will be very helpful to patients who are seeking a quick guide to the basic facts about infertility issues and concerns. We also think it's a valuable contribution by an outstanding and caring gynecologist and surgeon who has always believed that patient education is an important part of treatment. Because of his approach and his unique writing style, we are convinced that this book will be helpful to patients worldwide, and also as a work that many can use to more fully understand the current status of infertility treatment, diagnostics, and procedures, as well as the frequently asked questions that have occurred throughout the practice of Dr. Layyous. Written in a straightforward manner, with chapters that cover the basic overview as well as more in depth chapters that convey much of the medical aspects of infertility, this book will be a powerful resource to those seeking information about infertility.

Taken together, this work offers hope and help to those seeking basic information about infertility issues. Furthermore, the book also presents infertility issues in medical terms and descriptions that are still informative to the layperson, but thorough as well. The balanced approach of this book should therefore meet the needs of patients who want both basic information and those who want more advanced knowledge. The goal is that such knowledge can help them in consultation with their own physicians and/or to more fully participate in their own treatments for infertility. Of course the end result is that the book will make a contribution to helping patients deal with a very perplexing issue that is becoming more and more needful in the present world, how to finally achieve pregnancy. It is to this end and to these patients, that this work is dedicated.

That Dr. N. Layyous has done this in such a straightforward manner, bringing his many years of clinical experience and training as a physician, a gynecologist, an obstetrician, and a surgeon who is also very well versed in the experience and practice of assisted reproduction technologies (ART) to the work; is not an easy feat and one that should be commended. For not only should this helpful eBook help many, but also makes for interesting reading for researchers investigating these concerns as well. We hope that Infertility: the Basic Facts will provide you with the help needed that gets you started on the road from infertility to fertility. In closing, please note that this book does not substitute for medical treatment, as it is not meant to prescribe treatments or even as a do it yourself guide without medical help, it is first and foremost a work to help educate you that there are a number of treatments available and getting better all the time, and in giving that hope, then to also empower you as you seek professional treatment. Of course, if you wish, you can pursue treatment with Dr. Layyous and his staff directly. Simply visit his website to learn more about how to do that. The website address is www.layyous.com. His website and social media are also linked in the About the Author section of this work.--The Editorial Staff at TiLu Press, Portland, OR October, 2013.

Introduction: Infertility: A Basic Overview

Infertility refers to those that are not able to get pregnant after they have been trying for one year or after six months if the woman is over 35. Infertility also refers to those that are unable to remain pregnant after conceiving. Around 10 percent of women between the ages of 15-44 in the United States suffer from infertility, but both men and women can suffer from some form of infertility.

In the opening section of this book, we discuss first about female infertility, then male infertility, and sometimes about fertility problems as they pertain to both genders simultaneously. We are not doing this to be unfair or downplay the problems associated with male infertility. In fact, male infertility is quite complicated, however, as you will see, male infertility is certainly treatable, as well as female infertility. Infertility in its clinical forms, or in any degree experienced, is an important concern to males and females no matter who, what, or where they experience it.

In short, infertility issues are not just one gender's concern, but the concerns of men and women everywhere. We have chosen to focus on female infertility first, only because it is often women who seek information about it first, and especially in the early stages. There are also strong aspects of infertility, and the entire process of the journey from infertility to fertility itself that demands empathy, support, and encouragement to persevere, and if need be, to keep trying. This can be a long process for some couples, and quite emotional. Although this book primarily focuses on just the basic facts about infertility, we are not insensitive to these concerns and issues that may surface in the journey itself. Although every case is different, there are always people behind any case, and a caring empathic physician must not forget that. In this work we are introducing readers to the basic facts and options they may encounter in treatment for infertility and hopefully, answering some basic considerations and questions that couples or individuals might have. We will address those concerns associated with the journey itself, in a more thorough manner in a future book, written in collaboration with supportive counselors who specialize in helping people navigate the bumps in the road from the path of infertility to fertility. But make no mistake, this book too, is meant to take you from the path of being infertile, to the joys of pregnancy.--Dr. N Layyous.

Causes of Infertility in Women

In order for a woman to become pregnant, all portions of the ovulation and fertilization processes must function correctly. The most common causes of infertility in women include a blockage of the fallopian tubes, damage to the fallopian tubes from an infection or STD, and endometriosis. There are also other causes of female infertility which your physician may consider, depending upon further diagnostic evaluation. These could include: ovulation disorders that prevent eggs from being released properly, raised prolactin levels that prevent natural ovulation, polycystic ovary syndrome that causes excess amounts of androgen hormones in the body, early menopause, or uterine fibroids that block the fallopian tubes or pelvic adhesions.

The above conditions prevent the eggs from being released properly or prevent the fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine lining the way it should. Other less common causes of infertility include consuming medications that disrupt fertility, thyroid problems, cancer, cancer treatments, Cushing’s disease, kidney disease, sickle cell disease or diabetes. It is also important to remember that both partners should be tested for fertility problems because up to one third of infertility cases involve only the male partner and an additional third are caused by a combination of issues with both partners' fertility.

Treatments of Infertility

There are multiple treatments that can be used to address female infertility. The specific treatment that is appropriate for your case will depend on the underlying issues causing the infertility. Laboratory tests, the age of each partner, your overall health and how long you have been attempting to get pregnant will be analyzed to better understand what is disrupting your fertility. Many of these treatments will be discussed quite thoroughly in the remainder of this work.

Infertility: In Depth View for Patients Who Wish to Be More Medically Informed

The definition of infertility is the inability to conceive despite trying and having regular intercourse for one year. Infertility is one of the most widespread problems facing couples. And the causes could be due to female factors or male factors, or in some rare cases, a combination of both.

Major Causes of Infertility in Women

Aging

Aging is the number one cause of concern for infertility among women. Some have said age plus amount of unprotected sex also plays a role. Still, it's been proven by multiple researchers that the ability for women to conceive decreases with increasing age. Recently however, there have been some accounts that this basic view may be controversial, however, it is very evident that birth rates get lower in terms of sheer numbers with advancing age, and especially birth rates unassisted by infertility treatment. Consequently, birth rates are especially low for women above the age of 40. Inversely, women above this age report a higher incidence of the use of assisted reproduction procedures that contribute to pregnancy than other age groups. Overall, this does tend to support the view that aging contributes to declining rates of fertility.

Vaginal Causes of Infertility in Women

This includes any blockage of the vagina which interferes with the entrance of the male organ such as imperforate hymen, extremely narrow vagina, or painful infections in the vagina. (In some cases, severe pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can also be painful at intercourse).

Cervical Causes of Infertility in Women

1) Previous cone biopsy or laser conization. This can cause a decreased amount of mucous which in turn affects sperm movement.

2) Presence of anti-sperm antibodies.

3) Closed cervix (a very rare condition).

Uterine Causes of Infertility in Women

1) Congenital anomalies: most of them precipitate from abortions, but some of them affect fertility and can be corrected surgically, such as a septate or divided uterus, which can be removed by hysteroscopy. Other anomalies such as bicornuate uterus, rudimentary horn and T-shaped uterus are known