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Causes of Infertility: Types, Risk Factors, Diagnosis & Treatment

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It’s common for couples to experience difficulty conceiving. In most cases, infertility is defined as a couple’s inability to conceive a child despite engaging in regular, unprotected sexual activity for more than a year. A combination of factors, including problems on both sides of the couple’s reproductive system, can cause infertility. Fortunately, numerous therapies exist that are both safe and effective. Read more about its types, associated risks, diagnosis, and treatment.

Symptoms

  • Inability to conceive.
  • Irregular menstrual cycle.
  • Excessive and painful cramps.
  • Erectile dysfunctions.
  • Hormonal issues.

Types of infertility

  • When a couple who has never had a child before experiences difficulty doing so, they are said to be experiencing primary infertility.
  • It's called "secondary infertility," when a woman who has already given birth to a child or children cannot conceive again.

Causes of Infertility

In males:

  • Lack of average sperm production or function results from undescended testes, genetic abnormalities, health conditions like diabetes, or infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, mumps, or HIV.
  • Overexposure to pesticides, chemicals, radiation, alcohol, marijuana, anabolic steroids, antibiotics, blood pressure, and depression medications can affect fertility.
  • Sexual issues, like early ejaculation, genetic conditions, structural issues like a blockage in the testicle, or injury to the reproductive organs, bring on issues with sperm delivery.
  • Saunas and hot tubs can raise body temperature and affect sperm production.
  • Damage caused by cancer and its treatment can severely reduce sperm production.

In females:

  • Ovulation disorders affect the release of eggs from the ovaries.
  • Development of Pelvic adhesions after pelvic infection, appendicitis, endometriosis or abdominal or pelvic surgery.
  • Injury or obstruction of the fallopian tube, frequently brought on by salpingitis.
  • The ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes may be affected by endometriosis, which occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus.
  • Abnormalities in the uterus or cervix, such as polyps or how the uterus is shaped.
  • Early menopause caused due to genetic issues or exposure to radiation or chemotherapy treatment.
  • Cancer and its treatment often impair female fertility.

Infertility can impact either or both partners. Sometimes, a particular cause cannot be found.

Causes of Infertility

Many risk factors are associated with infertility, and keeping oneself informed can go a long way in helping one maintain their health. These include:

  • Consumption of Alcohol: Alcohol is unsafe during pregnancy and conception for women. While men's sperm count and motility can decrease with heavy alcohol use. Thu should be avoided.
  • Use of Tobacco: Pregnancy chances may decrease if either potential parent smokes tobacco or marijuana. It also hinders fertility treatment, besides increasing the chances of miscarriages in females and can cause erectile dysfunction and low sperm count in men and should hence be avoided.
  • Inactive lifestyle: It leads to one being overweight, which increases the risk of infertility and overall health issues. Thus, one should strive to keep fit and lead an active lifestyle.
  • Eating disorders: Anorexia, bulimia and very low-calorie diets put women at risk of fertility issues. Thus, one should monitor their eating habits.
  • Exercise-associated issues: Inactivity contributes to obesity, which increases the risk of infertility, while ovulation issues may also be linked to frequent, intense, strenuous exercise. Therefore one should be mindful of how they subject themselves to stress and exercise.
  • Exposure to toxins: Environmental o industrial effluents may impact one's fertility, and one should be mindful to keep from being exposed to them.
  • Medication: Some medications may impact fertility as well. Hence it is better to consult a doctor to set up an improved prescription.

Diagnosis of infertility

There are various ways to diagnose infertility, including:

In females:

  • Hormone testing.
  • Genetic testing.
  • Semen analysis.
  • Testicular biopsy.
  • Imaging.

In females:

  • Ovulation testing.
  • Hysterosalpingography.
  • Ovarian reserve testing.
  • Hormone testing.
  • Imaging tests.

Treatments for infertility

  • Medicines: prescribed by doctors, these help in various ways but have associated side effects such as nausea, headaches, vomiting and more. Moreover, for women with unexplained infertility, ovulation-stimulating medication is not advised because there is no evidence that it improves the likelihood of conception.
  • Surgical procedures: these are of various types:
  • Surgery associated with fallopian tubes.
  • Laparoscopic surgery.
  • Laparoscopic ovarian drilling.
  • Corrective surgery for epididymal blockages.
  • Corrective surgery to help retrieve sperm.
  • Assisted conception: Includes intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
  • Intrauterine insemination (IUI): Artificial insemination, also called intrauterine insemination (IUI), is the process of placing sperm inside a woman's uterus through a thin plastic tube inserted through the cervix. Before fertilization, sperm must be collected and washed in a fluid. Then, the healthiest and quickest-moving specimens are chosen.
  • In vitro fertilization (IVF): The fertilization of an egg outside of a woman's body is referred to as in vitro fertilization (IVF). With the help of fertility drugs, women can stimulate their ovaries to release a larger number of eggs. Post which, the eggs are collected from the ovary and then fertilized in a laboratory with sperm. After fertilization, the egg that results in an embryo is placed back inside the mother to continue its growth and development.

Conclusion

We hope this article helps you better understand infertility and other associated factors. It’s always better to consult experts to obtain personalized treatment and diagnosis.

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