Infertility

Wanting to start a family and realizing that either you or your partner is incapable of having a child can be heartbreaking. However, there are many options, including medical treatments and adoption, that can try to reverse these situations and allow adults the opportunity to have and raise a child.

Infertility affects 6.1 million women in the United States, which is about 10 percent of the female population between the ages of 15 and 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Women under the age of 35 who are unable to get pregnant after a year of trying are advised to have their fertility tested and perhaps seek treatment. For women over 35, the same is advised after trying to get pregnant for six months. It's not that age really affects a woman's fertility. The CDC states that about a fifth of all women who give birth are over the age of 35.

Infertility isn't just a woman's burden either. Men can also have physical problems or lifestyles that affect their shape and number of sperm, which in turn affects the chances of pregnancy. The causes of infertility in women are closely related to problems with ovulation. The CDC cites less common issues affecting fertility include conditions affecting a woman's fallopian tubes and uterus. Lifestyle choices, such as smoking, drinking or diet, can also affect a woman's fecundity. Women who have a history of miscarriages may also be considered infertile and eligible for fertility treatments.

Treatments to increase one's fertility may involve surgery or counseling for men. For women, there are many prescription drugs made to regulate any ovulation problems. Couples or individuals can also opt for a variety of medical procedures meant to assist in the reproductive process.

Those who are still unable to conceive may consider surrogacy or adoption as a means to start a family. Every state has its own unique laws regarding the terms of surrogacy and adoption. As prospective adopters with a history of fertility treatments, some couples may need to come to terms with their lost chance at having a child that is biologically related to them. Often, a couple that has yet to come to terms with their fertility issues does not pass a home study as many case workers feel that an adoptee should be loved regardless of relation.