Infertility Services at Bridgercare
By: Emma Bennett
Getting pregnant isn’t always easy. Many people experience challenges with infertility. At Bridgercare, we know trying to have a baby is an important and cherished process in many people’s lives. It can be difficult and frustrating, especially for some who find they cannot conceive as easily as they expected. Not only are these struggles strenuous to the physical body, but they can be mentally taxing and emotionally draining. Bridgercare’s team of providers is here to offer preventative measures, treatment, advice, and most importantly, support for everyone experiencing hardships in the process of conceiving.
What exactly is infertility?
Infertility is the inability to conceive after 1 year of trying to become pregnant, and is much more common than most people realize. 6.7 million women in the U.S. -- about 11% of the reproductive-age population (Source: National Survey of Family Growth, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] 2006-2010) experience infertility. Another common misunderstanding is that women struggle more than men, but the reality is that infertility affects men and women equally. 1 in 5 women fall into this category.
So, what are some of the risks and reasons for infertility?
For women trying to become pregnant, the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the uterus must all be functioning well for a person to become pregnant. Age and ovulatory dysfunction are the most common causes of infertility, as people 30 years of age and older have much higher rates of infertility due to decreased egg count and quality. Some other related risks include:
Smoking
Excessive alcohol consumption and drug use
Extreme variations in weight
Being overweight or underweight
Physical and emotional stress
For men, low or absent sperm count is the most common case of infertility. This can be affected by:
Lifestyle choices
Heavy alcohol use, smoking, use of anabolic steroids, exposure to testosterone, and illicit drug use
Disruptions to the testicular and ejaculatory processes
Cancer treatments and radiation, diabetes, trauma to the testes, and certain infections
Hormonal and genetic disorders
Age (men aged 40 and older are likely to experience increased difficulty in the conceiving process)
Being overweight or obese
How can Bridgercare help?
In addition to annual wellness exams, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, infection checks, and genetic counseling and treatment, the infertility services we offer can make a huge difference in a very challenging time. Our team of providers sees patients all the time who may need help in trying to become pregnant.
Bridgercare offers services that are more affordable than other places in town, AND we have openings for new patients every week. If you or someone you know is struggling with infertility, give us a call at 406-587-0681!
References:
Infertility, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health
Male Infertility, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Reproductive Health and Infertility, Center for Disease Control and Prevention