Olive Nguyen
People don’t usually talk openly about infertility treatment, but the truth is… many couples need it. In fact, around one in six people face difficulties trying to conceive. That’s a lot of people silently carrying the same struggle. It can feel frustrating, isolating, and even endless at times.
However, modern medicine has changed the game. What used to feel out of reach is now possible for many—thanks to different fertility treatments and a more personalised approach to care.
Why does infertility happen?
Hard to pin down to one reason. Sometimes it’s the woman, sometimes the man, sometimes both, and sometimes… no clear answer at all.
- In women, ovulation problems, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, fibroids, or even just age can make it harder.
- Men aren’t off the hook either—low sperm count, slow swimmers, odd shapes, or blockages that stop sperm release are common.
- And then there’s the big question mark: unexplained infertility. Nothing “wrong” shows up, but still, no baby.
Frustrating? Absolutely. But identifying the cause is step one.
How do doctors figure it out?
It usually starts with a long chat. Medical history. Questions. Maybe a quick exam. After that, tests. Blood tests to check hormones. Scans to look at ovaries and uterus. An HSG (not the most comfortable thing, but useful) to see if fallopian tubes are open. And, of course, semen analysis for men.
Put all that together and doctors at your fertility clinic start to see the picture. Not always perfect, but clearer.
What can be done about it?
Treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works for one couple might not work for another. Options include:
- Small lifestyle tweaks—diet, weight, less stress, quitting smoking. Simple but effective.
- Medication to help eggs release on time.
- IUI, where sperm is placed directly into the uterus.
- IVF, which most people have heard of: eggs collected, fertilized in the lab, embryos placed back.
- ICSI, a lab technique where a single sperm is injected into an egg. Especially helpful if sperm quality is poor.
Some cases need more advanced approaches, but even then, doors are opening all the time with new research.
Infertility may be excruciatingly difficult. But it does not have to be that way. With the correct assistance, many couples are able to go forward, whether via therapy, donor eggs or sperm, or even surrogacy. Support is important. Medical, definitely, but also emotional.