Unexplained infertility? You must remain confident!

While the stork’s arrival takes some couples by surprise, it can be frustratingly tardy for others, and this, in spite of all the love and efforts these couples put into trying to become pregnant. In fact, it is estimated that infertility affects one couple out of seven.

In most cases of infertility, treating physicians are usually able to pinpoint the exact medical anomaly responsible for a delay in pregnancy. However, this can prove much more difficult for couples who are healthy and have no apparent medical problems. Treatments aimed at stimulating foetal implantation are often administered in such unexplained infertility cases. The two methods that are most often used in these situations are oral clomiphene taken in pill form, and unstimulated intrauterine insemination.

According to a study however, it would seem that in cases of infertility without known medical causes, fertility treatments are unlikely to be more effective than regular intercourse alone. Indeed, in this study which included well over 500 couples divided into three groups, the confirmed pregnancy rate between the groups was not statistically different after six months. The rates were: 17% for couples who had not received any fertility treatment; 15% for women who had received oral clomiphene tablets; and 23% for those who had received unstimulated intrauterine insemination. On the other hand however, women who had not benefited from any fertility treatment were less satisfied of the care they had received, despite the inconveniences and inherent adverse effects that are linked to the medical treatments.

Therefore, it seems important to make sure a patient’s expectations regarding the efficacy and actual necessity of initiating these types of treatments remain realistic. If you are experiencing unexplained infertility and your little bundle of joy is taking a long time to show his or her darling little face, keep on cuddling and have faith in Mother Nature!