The World Health Organization (WHO) considers infertility a pathology and defines it as the absence of conception after 12/24 months of regular unprotected intercourse. In contrast, a couple in which one or both spouses suffer from a permanent physical condition that prevents them from having children should be considered infertile. But for many couples, a diagnosis of infertility can be a real sentence to sadness and depression. WHO estimates suggest that between 48 million couples and 186 million people live with infertility globally.
According to this source, in recent decades there has been a significant decline in fertility in the 21-29 age group, more marked than in the older age groups, evidence of a progressive tendency for women to conceive later. We also know that women's age, as well as men's age, is a factor that correlates negatively with reproductive capacity. Thus, the most fertile time remains between the ages of 25 and 30.
The negative effect of age on reproduction and in particular on the female reproductive system seems to be related to an increasing possibility of failure of the fine regulatory systems of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian unit, a progressive decrease in the sensitivity of the gonads (ovaries and testes) to gonadotropin stimulation, the frequent development of uterine fibroids with age, longer exposure to infectious diseases.
In Romania, 1 in 4 couples face infertility, and the causes are countless: stress, secondary infertility, hormonal imbalances, inflammation or gynecological problems. So a couple's desire to have a child becomes an increasingly difficult goal to reach.
"Infertility is defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy for 12 months in a stable couple who have regular intimate activity without the use of any contraceptive method. If the partner has a low ovarian reserve or is over 36 years of age, the waiting time before treatment is reduced to 6 months. The ovarian reserve can usually be determined by taking into account: the patient's age, the number of antral follicles (from the beginning of an ovarian cycle) measured by transvaginal ultrasound and AMH (anti-mullerian hormone).", explains gynecologist George Vasilescu, head of the Department of Gynecology at the Ensana Health Spa Hotels Sovata.
Often, within a couple, there are several reasons for infertility: both on the part of the female and the male partner.
Infertility is often misdiagnosed or difficult to detect. But there are warning signs!
The first and most obvious sign is lack of pregnancy. Other? The presence of symptoms or signs that may be associated with infertility: menstrual irregularities, vaginal inflammation or infection. But infertility is often accompanied by a complete lack of signs and/or symptoms.
"Not really. However, what can be taken over from parents is the weight with which a pregnancy is achieved. More specifically, certain chromosomal disorders can be inherited which can interfere with the process of achieving a pregnancy, or common mother-daughter conditions such as uterine fibroids.", says the gynecologist.
Well, they can play an important role, especially if not treated properly. "Urinary tract infections are not a danger. Untreated or inadequately treated ones are! Urinary tract infections create an inflammatory environment throughout the pelvic area, including the internal genital area. Inflammation can spread and affect the implantation process of the embryo. Urinary tract infection can coexist with vaginal infections, which in turn can lead to endometritis (infection of the endometrium) or even of the fallopian tubes and ovaries (salpingo-oophorectomy). Infection or inflammation of the fallopian tubes can lead to obstruction of the fallopian tubes, and pregnancy can no longer be establishedexplains Ensana Health Spa Hotels Sovata.
Stress plays a big role in infertility. "People who are stressed and tired, worried and overworked find it harder to get pregnant. Stress activates hormones that keep the body in a state of . On the other hand, the physiological mechanisms by which a pregnancy can be achieved are at their best in conditions of relaxation and calmsays the gynecologist.
as the specialist warns: "Chronic fatigue hinders both oocyte fertilization and embryo implantation, whether it's natural pregnancy or IVF".
So, after the age of 37, your oocytes start to lose their quality and pregnancy is more difficult. After the age of 40, the chances get even worse.
The upside? There is hope! This is what doctors assure us, but with one condition: a visit to the infertility specialist must not be postponed! And the good news is not slow in coming: Every year, hundreds of women become pregnant thanks to fertility treatments with sludge Healer and salt water. Where? In Sovata!
"Fertility treatments have been carried out in Sovata since 1910. Time has allowed observational studies to be carried out on an impressive number of people who came for treatment. The quality of the mud extracted from the water of Lake Ursu (sapropelic peloidogenic), the salt water from the same lake and other associated physical therapies increase the chance of pregnancy. Apart from infertility problems, Sovata also treats chronic inflammations and infections of the female genital tract, as well as menopausal symptoms.", informs the gynecologist.
Dr. George Vasilescu is a pioneer in fertility treatments, and the research in this field carried out over the last six years at Ensana - a group of specialized health spas that combine professional medicine with local natural resources such as thermal waters and sapropelic sludge - show a 30% higher pregnancy success rate in patients who were treated with Romanian sludge (1 in 3 women to deliver a baby).
"Note that all natural treatments are performed with healing mud and salt water from Lake Ursu located in Sovata. The water from Lake Ursu contains the naturally produced human-like hormones Estrogen and Progesterone, as well as high levels of salt, minerals and organic substances. These help improve the female reproductive system and increase fertility. Treatments involve both internal and external procedures, as well as baths in the unique waters of the lake and the application of sapropelic mud pads extracted from the Lake Ursu"points out Ensana.
"Sovata welcomes women who want to get pregnant by natural methods, but also women who are preparing for an assisted human reproduction procedure (ovarian stimulation, intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, embryotransfer). Here, their chances of success increase significantly. It's also good to know that spa treatments are done in the month before assisted reproduction procedures, but there are also special cases when therapies are recommended 3-4 months in advance. Men can also be helped in Sovata with natural herbal therapies, relaxation and moments of tranquillity."says Dr. Vasilescu.
Facing infertility? Don't delay, talk to your specialist! It's the first step to finding a solution.
For more information about the therapies and services offered by Ensana Health Spa Hotels Sovata, visit www.ensanahotels.com/ro.
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