How can couples who are experiencing fertility difficulties seek medical help?
Therefore, those couples who do not meet the standard should automatically throw away their hats, don’t make trouble for themselves, work and live happily, and wait patiently for the arrival of their babies! Couples who have met the standard should face the difficulty rationally, choose the right way to seek medical advice and receive scientific and standardized examination and treatment, and avoid falling into the misconception of gullibility, blind obedience and “throwing doctors around” ……
Quick reading of medical knowledge
The necessary tests to find the cause of infertility
Male examination
Semen examination: to check the quality of semen and sperm.
Sex hormone examination: to check the endocrine function of the testicles
vasectomy: to find the cause of azoospermia
Testicular biopsy: to find the cause of azoospermia, etc.
Female examination
Vaginal infection factor examination: cleanliness, trichomonas, mycobacteria, chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc.
Duplex examination: to check the condition of the cervix, size and position of the uterine body, adnexa.
Ultrasound: check for tumors, abnormal genital development, understanding of follicular growth and endometrium.
Hysterosalpingography: to check the morphology of the uterine cavity and the usual condition of the fallopian tubes (lavage and ventilation are not recommended, their accuracy and safety are not ideal).
Hormone measurements: to check the levels of various ovarian hormones, pituitary hormones and thyroid hormones, adrenal hormones, insulin, etc. related to reproduction.
Laparoscopy: The most visual, accurate and rapid method to examine the cause of infertility, and simultaneous treatment of endometriosis, pelvic adhesions and obstruction of the umbilical ends of the fallopian tubes can be performed.
Hysteroscopy: to examine the condition of the endometrium, to confirm the diagnosis of uterine infertility, and to treat the proximal obstruction of the fallopian tubes with intubation and fluids.
Post-coital test and cervical mucus and semen compatibility test: presume the presence of anti-sperm antibodies in the cervical mucus based on the penetration of sperm into the cervical mucus.
Basal body temperature measurement: to understand ovulation and luteal function.
Immunological examination: detection of various autoantibodies that may be associated with infertility.
Targeted and standardized treatment
Treatment of organic lesions of reproductive organs that cause infertility: e.g. submucosal fibroids, endometrial polyps, ovarian tumors, endometriosis, tuberculosis and severe inflammatory diseases.
Treatment to improve the function of the fallopian tubes.
Intra-tubal injection, oral or enema of Chinese herbal medicine, physiotherapy and other comprehensive treatments are feasible for incomplete tubal obstruction.
Laparoscopic stoma for obstruction of the umbilical end of the fallopian tube.
Proximal tubal obstruction can be treated by combined hysterolaparoscopy, selective tubal cannulation and lavage.
Ovulation promotion therapy: ultrasound monitoring of follicle development and endometrial condition to determine ovulation period and guide sexual intercourse. For those with ovulation disorders, ovulation promotion drugs and their pre-treatment or combined treatment with other drugs are used according to hormone measurement.
Artificial insemination (assisted reproductive technology)
Artificial insemination: Injection of semen directly into the vagina, cervix or uterine cavity. It is suitable for men with oligospermia, weak sperm and sexual dysfunction: women with abnormal cervix or cervical mucus with anti-sperm antibodies. If the male has no azoospermia, the semen of the donor is required.
In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (“IVF”)
Gamete transfer technique: The collected mature eggs and sperm are transferred together into the fallopian tube, abdominal cavity or uterus so that they meet and fertilize in vivo, which is less frequently performed.
Immunological infertility treatment: immunotherapy such as lymphocyte input from the male into the female can be used (not every hospital carries it out), and the effect of combined Chinese and Western medicine is also considerable.
The key only words
Infertility examination and treatment are both gradual and orderly, not just one visit to the doctor and some medicine. It is a constant battle, sometimes it takes half a year or even one or two years, so be patient and don’t be impatient.
As the saying goes, “sincerity is the spirit”, choose a hospital and doctor that you and your friends and relatives trust, communicate closely and openly, and treat the psychological barriers at the same time, which is very important for the success of the treatment.
Chinese herbal medicine is capable of curing many diseases, but relying only on the pulse to cure the disease is sometimes delayed. A good TCM practitioner understands and can correctly apply the tools of modern medicine.
A doctor who is eager to prescribe you medicine and easily promises you a “cure” may be a “hoo-hoo” doctor who can’t cure the disease and can’t cure you.
Not every infertile couple can have their wishes fulfilled, and the miraculous powers of the “Goddess of Mercy” are limited. You need to be objective and sensible about your age, condition, affordability and other factors to adapt to reality and change your mindset to make your life easier and more comfortable.