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Can immune factors lead to infertility?

Fertility issues can arise in many different ways. It is important to note that infertility can happen in either partner, but there may be help available. Depending on the fertility issue you are faced with, your medical team can choose from a variety of fertility treatments that may benefit you or your partner in helping you become pregnant.

For people with long lasting unexplained infertility, repeat implantation failure or repeat pregnancy loss, there may be immunological anomalies involved. Your doctor will be able to advise you on what is best moving forward. It is helpful to remember that everybody is unique and will have different needs. This is why having an open line of communication with your medical team is imperative. This allows them to perform the proper tests and help find a treatment plan that works for you.

Available treatments

Sometimes, there is a quick answer as to why a person may be having fertility issues. Other times, there seems to be no explanation, which can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening to hopeful parents. Thankfully, the field of immunology–as it pertains to fertility–is ever-growing. Researchers are attempting to understand the link between the immune system and infertility to help people who are struggling with fertility.

As with a lot of fertility treatments, before embarking on any immune treatment, there will be extensive screening and testing to understand best where you are and how your immune system functions. If testing is required, it will help the doctors locate any anomalies that may impact your fertility so they can make the best treatment plan moving forward. You will be kept informed throughout the entire screening and testing process so that you fully understand what is being done and why.

Staying healthy

All through the entire process, it is of vital importance that you are able to stay as healthy as possible. This, of course, means keeping both physically and mentally healthy. Stress can be detrimental to many of our physical systems. Having any type of fertility concerns adds excess stress, which can then affect the immune system. Ask your doctor for help if you are feeling this added stress or have any other physical or mental symptoms that need to be addressed. Remember that your doctor and medical team are there to help you every step of the way.

Immune treatment services are growing in popularity as more is understood about the effect of immune factors on fertility. Of course, having an immune problem doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have ongoing fertility issues; however, certain treatments can hopefully help fill any gaps between the immune system and the reproductive system so the body can work together. As we mentioned, what is best for you will be decided by your medical team, who will understand your case and your potential immune responses.

If you have concerns about unexplained infertility, repeat implantation failure or repeat pregnancy loss, start inquiring about immune testing as well as any potential treatment options that could benefit you today.