Infertility is defined when couples are unable to conceive a child, even though they’ve had frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse for a year or longer.
Infertility can be caused due to factors affecting the female or the male partner.
Here are a few common reasons in women that lead to Infertility :
Causes in Women:
1) Advancing maternal age: Female age-related infertility is the most common cause of infertility today. For unknown reasons, as women age, egg numbers decrease at a rapid rate. And as ageing occurs, egg quality, or the likelihood of an egg being genetically normal, decreases as well.
2) Ovulation disorders: Normal and regular ovulation, or release of a mature egg, is essential for women to conceive naturally. There are many disorders that may impact the ability for a woman to ovulate normally.
3) Tubal occlusion (blockage): A history of sexually transmitted infections including chlamydia, gonorrhea, or pelvic inflammatory disease can predispose a woman to have blocked fallopian tubes. Tubal occlusion is a cause of infertility because an ovulated egg is unable to be fertilized by sperm or to reach the endometrial cavity.
4) Uterine fibroids: Fibroids are very common (approximately 40% of women may have them) and the mere presence alone does not necessarily cause infertility. The size and position of the fibroid determine its effects on your pregnancy.
5) Endometrial polyps: Endometrial polyps are finger-like growths in the uterine cavity arising from the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. They can decrease fertility by up to 50% according to some studies.
6) Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition whereby cells very similar to the ones lining the uterine cavity, or endometrium, are found outside the uterine cavity. It is found in approximately 10-50% of reproductive-aged women and can be associated with infertility as well as pain during intercourse and/or menstrual periods.
CAUSES IN MALES:
1)Erectile dysfunction,
2) Low sperm production, abnormal sperm function or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Illnesses, injuries, hormonal imbalances, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices and other factors can play a role in causing male infertility.
The semen analysis is one of the main tests to evaluate the male partner.
Risk factors linked to male infertility include:
- Smoking tobacco.
- Using alcohol. Using certain illicit drugs.
- Being overweight. Being severely depressed or stressed.
- Having certain past or present infections.
- Being exposed to toxins. Overheating the testicles. Having experienced trauma to the testicles.
- Having a prior vasectomy or major abdominal or pelvic surgery. Having a history of undescended testicles.
- Being born with a fertility disorder or having a blood relative with a fertility disorder. Certain medications.
Fertility treatments for females:
1)Fertility drugs and hormones to help the woman ovulate or restore levels of hormones.
2)Surgery to remove tissue that is blocking fertility (such as endometriosis) or to open blocked fallopian tubes.
3)assisted reproductive technology or ART treatments used for male as well as female infertility problems:
-IUI (intrauterine insemination): Sperm is collected and placed directly inside the woman’s uterus while she is ovulating.
-IVF (in vitro fertilization): The sperm and egg are collected and brought together in a lab. The fertilized egg grows for 3 to 5 days.
