Infertility should be considered a couple's problem rather than blaming one person or the other. It's been a common myth that female issues are to blame for not being able to conceive, but upon closer inspection, close to half the time the infertility stems from the male partner.

Obviously, the male partner provides the sperm, so that's really the only aspect to be examined. Problems can be classified as low sperm count, or poor motility, or abnormality of the sperm. Many times there's no apparent problem with the sperm, just that it's not working. But the problem can go deeper than that and may involve something in the male's environment. This could include illness, drinking, smoking, stress, even tight fitting pants or frequent visits to the hot tub (tight fitting pants and the hot tub warm the genital area, causing lower availability of sperm). Sometimes help can take the form of changing some simple behaviors. If you wear tight clothes, try loose fitting clothing around your private area. Try relaxing to calm music and minimizing those things causing you stress. Give up alcohol and smoking. If you have a hot tub, reduce the frequency of use and try bringing the temperature down some. Check out your local health food store for a libido booster, even if you have a lot of sexual prowess. These boosters do work and if you cut down on the frequency of sexual contact, for those times when you do have sex, the sensation will be elevated.

For women, it's the reproductive system that gets examined. Be sure to have your gynecologist check your cervix along with your uterus for cysts, fibroids, polyps, and endometriosis. Make sure that you're both enjoying sexual contact and if not, explain to your partner your desires. Sometimes men forget that there's two people that need to be satisfied when it's completed. If you need to take things slowly, be sure to mention that. Men will understand, you just have to state it absolutely clearly and to make sure he is listening, have him repeat what you said. You'll both be happier that way. And while you're at it, your local health food store may also have something to help with female health and even female libido... these really do work you just have to give it a try.

Even when a couple has taken all the tests to check the sperm and the reproductive health, some couples are still infertile with no apparent cause. At that point, you may want to consider hormonal fertility treatment, in-vitro fertilization, or adoption. There's always options available to you.

Copyright (c) 2006