Can Infertility Be Reversed? - Northeastern Reproductive Medicine (2024)

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Infertility is quite common, affecting about 15 percent of couples, according to theNational Library of Medicine. Fortunately, infertility can sometimes be reversed and women can go on to have babies. In fact, conventional medical therapies can reverse infertility in85 to 90 percentof all cases.

Defining Infertility

Doctors will say that a couple is infertile if the couple is unable to become pregnant after a year of trying. A doctor might also say that a woman who gets pregnant but suffers miscarriages or stillbirths is infertile.

In about one-third of all cases of infertility, the woman has a problem that prevents her from getting pregnant. These problems may include endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, and polyps or fibroids in the uterus.

The man has a reproductive problem in another one-third of cases. Male reproductive problems include low sperm count and poor sperm motility, which is the ability of the sperm to swim around enough to find the egg.

In the last one-third of cases, both the man and the woman have a reproductive issue or no cause for infertility can be found.

The good news is that treatment can reverse infertility in many cases. Some treatments are specifically for women and others are specifically for me; a few involve both partners.

Infertility Reversalin Women and in Men

Fertility specialists use a variety of approaches to reverse infertility. Treatments include drugs, surgery, and assisted reproductive technology.

Ovulation induction uses drugs to help a woman ovulate, or release an egg from her ovaries. Surgery can help reverse infertility in women by repairing blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, treating endometriosis, and removing uterine polyps or fibroids. Surgery can treat enlargement of a vein the scrotum, which is a common cause of infertility in men.

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) helps bring the sperm and egg together for fertilization. ART typically involves in vitro fertilization, a procedure in which embryologists put an egg and a sperm together in a dish in a laboratory. The procedure gives sperm the best opportunity to encounter the egg and fertilize it.

ART helps reverse infertility for women whose surgery did not correct their fallopian tubes or who have severe endometriosis, premature ovarian failure, or unexplained infertility. Assisted reproductive technology also helps couples overcome some causes of male infertility, such as low sperm count or poor sperm motility.

Lifestyle changes, such as achieving a healthy body weight, can help. Avoiding tobacco, illegal substances, and alcohol can also help reverse infertility.

For more information on reversing infertility, consult with a fertility clinic. Many couples who undergo these treatments reverse their infertility and go on to have babies.

Can Infertility Be Reversed? - Northeastern Reproductive Medicine (2024)

FAQs

Is it possible to reverse infertility? ›

Infertility is quite common, affecting about 15 percent of couples, according to the National Library of Medicine. Fortunately, infertility can sometimes be reversed and women can go on to have babies. In fact, conventional medical therapies can reverse infertility in 85 to 90 percent of all cases.

Is it possible to regain fertility? ›

Because infertility is a complex disorder, treatment involves significant financial, physical, psychological and time commitments. Treatments can either attempt to restore fertility through medication or surgery, or help you get pregnant with sophisticated techniques.

Can most infertility be fixed? ›

In 85% to 90% of cases, infertility is treated with conventional medical therapies, such as medication or surgery.

Is sperm infertility reversible? ›

And some men cannot make sperm at all (azoospermia). Sometimes these problems can be reversed. Other times, they cannot. This is why is it is important to talk to your health care provider as they can help sort it out.

Can infertility fix itself? ›

In some cases, the cause of infertility is never found. A combination of several minor factors in both partners could cause unexplained fertility problems. Although it's frustrating to get no specific answer, this problem can correct itself with time. But you shouldn't delay treatment for infertility.

Is it possible to go from infertile to fertile? ›

Can infertility be cured? Yes, but it depends on the cause. In 85% to 90% of cases, lifestyle modification, medication, ART or surgery can treat infertility and allow a person to conceive.

What percentage of infertility is cured? ›

90% of infertility cases can be overcome through science

Luckily, nearly 90% of infertility cases are treatable with medical therapies such as drug treatment, surgical repair of reproductive organs and assisted reproductive techniques such as intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization.

Can you make yourself fertile again? ›

Certain nutrition and lifestyle strategies, like eating fewer refined carbs and getting moderate exercise, may help increase fertility. Talking with a healthcare professional can help you determine the best strategies for you.

What is the best fertility drug to get pregnant? ›

Clomiphene (Clomid): This drug can trigger ovulation. Many doctors recommend it as the first treatment option for a woman with ovulation problems. Letrozole (Femara): Like clomiphene, letrozole can trigger ovulation. Among women with PCOS, especially those with obesity, letrozole may work better.

What is the best cure for infertility? ›

Treatment for women
  • Fertility medicines. These are the main treatments for infertility that's due to ovulation trouble. ...
  • Intrauterine insemination (IUI). With IUI , healthy sperm are placed directly in the uterus around the time that the ovary releases one or more eggs to be fertilized. ...
  • Surgery to restore fertility.
Sep 13, 2023

Can you beat infertility? ›

It's a medical problem that can often be treated. Worldwide, more than 3 million babies have been born through in vitro fertilization, or IVF. Other treatments are successful, too. For at least half the couples who seek help, the woman gets pregnant.

Can barreness be cured? ›

Depending on the cause of infertility, it can be cured through various fertility treatments, including therapies, medications, IUI or IVF procedures, and more.

Can infertility be permanent? ›

Even if the sem*n test shows low sperm numbers or no sperm, it may not mean you are permanently infertile. It may just show there's a problem with how the sperm are growing and moving. More testing may be needed. Even if no sperm are seen on a sem*n analysis, then treatment may be possible.

What are signs you can't get pregnant? ›

In women, signs of infertility may include:
  • Pain during sex. ...
  • Heavy, long, or painful periods. ...
  • Dark or pale menstrual blood. ...
  • Irregular menstrual cycle. ...
  • Hormone changes. ...
  • Underlying medical conditions. ...
  • Obesity. ...
  • Not getting pregnant.

Can a man fix being infertile? ›

Treatment for male infertility

No treatments can improve the quality of a man's sperm. However, various techniques can increase the odds of conception using the existing sperm quality.

Can an infertile woman get pregnant naturally? ›

For couples who have been trying to conceive for more than 3 years without success, the likelihood of getting pregnant naturally within the next year is 1 in 4, or less.

How can you fix being infertile? ›

There are 3 main types of fertility treatment:
  1. medicines.
  2. surgical procedures.
  3. assisted conception – including intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF)

Can you get pregnant naturally after infertility? ›

While uncommon, natural conception after IVF can occur. One study found that out of 2,134 couples who attempted ART, about 20% became pregnant on their own after treatment. Many couples that present for fertility care are subfertile, not infertile.

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