Infertility can be defined as "a couple having virginal sexual intercourse without birth control for a period of 12 months and are unable to conceive". Statistics show that in most cases of infertility for a couple about 40% are caused by the female, 40% are male originated issues. The rest of the time the cases are unexplained. So what causes this infertility in apparently healthy people?

Party too much and you might just get impotent

Studies have shown that excessive drinking or smoking or taking drugs will affect the sperm. One of the most damaging things to the male ego is to find out that because of the excess in lifestyle, you have become impotent. So do your drinking in moderation and stop smoking, it will lead to general health and most importantly to better sperm.

For women the equation is less simple, in fact it is a whole lot more complex. The reproductive system is directly involved; other organs that control hormonal or gland secretions are also essential for pregnancy to occur. Then there are hormonal imbalances as well. Some of the more common cases are hormonal imbalances and thin lining of the uterus. Structural issues like blockages in the fallopian tubes or a weak uterus are also direct causes of infertility in women. Other causes can be blood pressure, stress, anxiety or even a weak immune system.

The doctor can help

It is so essential that you find a good doctor to help you that it forms the corner stone for your treatment. Take note that best does not mean most exclusive or most publicized doctor. The best doctor is one who will be aware of your needs and more importantly is able to get results.

The best place to start your hunt is at your regular doctor. Your doctor will be able to point you to a specialist based on your needs and wants. Take into consideration factors like where is the clinic sited the costs and even the waiting time in the clinic. Another tip is to see if the doctor comes recommended by other couples. A good doctor tends to have great feedback and that is the best sort of guarantee you will need.

While many obstetricians will advertise that they perform infertility workups and treatments, these doctors may not be the best ones to head to if you suspect that there might be a problem. There are doctors that specialize in infertility treatments, and by selecting one of them, you may already be increasing your chances of success.

So do a lot of research and take into consideration the factors of costs, travel time, and treatment time. When you have decided pay note to the after care service of the clinic, as this will affect you if you do decide to have treatment in the clinic.

Before you start your infertility treatments

Before you embark on any infertility treatment, plan it all together. It is essential at the onset that both know what the commitments will be like. You have to be honest and open about your feelings, there will be embarrassing questions asked and there might be tests that you will be uncomfortable doing. So before anything starts sit down to talk with your partner. When you both decide upon a doctor, usually a series of tests will be done to diagnose the cause of the infertility. Once that is discovered your doctor will advice you and the series of steps to undertake. Usually if it is a structural problem, only clinical methods will prove effective. But if it is a functional issue then at times oral medication is highly effective. Above all during the treatment the couple as a whole must give the support and understanding to one another.

Sometimes infertility treatment involves something as simple as a medication, or something as definitive as a surgical procedure to correct an anatomical or physiological problem. In other cases, the treatment may be more invasive, but may boast a higher success rate. You should have an idea in mind as to how far you are willing to go with your infertility treatment, so that you and your doctor can determine the best course of action for you. The good news is that every day there are more options available in infertility treatments and many have higher success rates than ever before. Talk to your doctor about the best infertility treatment plan for you.