Doctor Discusses Causes And Treatments For Infertility

The World Health Organization says roughly one in six people are affected worldwide by infertility. News 9 was joined by Dr. LaTasha Craig from OU Health to discuss the prevalence and effects of infertility.

Infertility can come from either partner, or both.

“About a third of the causes are attributed to females and that can be either they blocked fallopian tubes or the fact that they're not ovulating regularly. About a third of them are attributed to the male and low counts. And then a third of them are gonna be a mixture of the two or unexplained infertility, which is quite common,” Craig said.

There are many treatment options available for couples trying to conceive.

“The good news is, most people are able to do less aggressive type treatments, not the big expensive things like in vitro fertilization that people hear about,” Craig said. “So, for many of my women here in Oklahoma, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects their ability to ovulate and a simple $20 pill will help them really. And people with low sperm counts may be able to do intra insemination, which is $350. And so yes, in vitro fertilization is expensive, but only 10 percent of my couples end up needing that.”

Craig says couples should not be afraid to get advice, and that doctors will be able to tell you if there is an issue that needs to be addressed.