A Comprehensive View of Infertility
Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system. It is further defined by the inability to achieve pregnancy even after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. This condition affects millions of people and has an adverse effect on their families and communities.
According to estimates, approximately one in every six people of reproductive age worldwide experience infertility in their lifetime. In the male reproductive system, infertility is most commonly caused by problems in the ejection of semen, absence or low levels of sperm, or abnormal shape and movement of the sperm.
When it comes to the female reproductive system, infertility may be caused by a range of issues. These include abnormalities of the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, and the endocrine system, among others.
Infertility can be either primary or secondary. Primary infertility is when a pregnancy has never been achieved by the person. Secondary infertility is when at least one prior pregnancy has been achieved.
Fertility care comprises the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infertility. All of these come under the paradigm of reproductive medicine.
Reasons For Infertility
In both male and female reproductive systems, infertility may be caused by a number of different factors. However, it is sometimes impossible to explain the causes of infertility.
Female Reproductive System
Infertility can be caused by the following reasons in the female reproductive system:
– Tubal disorders like blocked fallopian tubes which are caused by untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or complications of unsafe abortion, postpartum sepsis or abdominal/pelvic surgery
- – Uterine disorders which could be inflammatory in nature (such as endometriosis), congenital in nature (such as septate uterus), or benign in nature (such as fibroids);
- – Disorders of the ovaries, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and other follicular disorders;
- – Disorders of the endocrine system causing imbalances of reproductive hormones. The endocrine system includes hypothalamus and the pituitary glands. Examples of common disorders affecting this system include pituitary cancers and hypopituitarism.
Male Reproductive System
In the male reproductive system, infertility may be caused by:
- – Obstruction of the reproductive tract causing dysfunctionalities in the ejection of semen. This blockage can occur in the tubes that carry semen (such as ejaculatory ducts and seminal vesicles). Blockages are commonly due to injuries or infections of the genital tract.
- – Hormonal disorders leading to abnormalities in hormones produced by the pituitary gland, hypothalamus and testicles. Hormones such as testosterone regulate sperm production. Examples of disorders that result in hormonal imbalance include pituitary or testicular cancers.
- – Testicular failure to produce sperm, for example due to varicoceles or medical treatments that impair sperm-producing cells (such as chemotherapy).
- – Abnormal sperm function and quality. Conditions or situations that cause abnormal shape (morphology) and movement (motility) of the sperm negatively affect fertility. For example, the use of anabolic steroids can cause abnormal semen parameters such as sperm count and shape.
- – Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake and obesity can affect fertility. In addition, exposure to environmental pollutants and toxins can be directly toxic to gametes (eggs and sperm), resulting in their decreased numbers and poor quality.
Hope you found this information helpful. Many treatments like IVF are available today to deal with infertility.
