There are a lot of parents who have been trying for infertility for so long but the results are still negative. You and your spouse are not alone if you are having difficulty in becoming parents. A similar problem is faced by millions of people worldwide. The medical word for not being able to conceive after having frequent & unprotected intercourse for at least a year is “Infertility.”
Not all fertility problems are related to aging or are “woman’s problems.” Infertility can be caused by a variety of factors and impact individuals of all ages and genders. It is equally likely that one or both of them are to blame when a couple struggles to conceive. For this reason, if a couple is experiencing infertility, tests for infertility are typically performed on both individuals.
Are you thinking what can be the causes of infertility? Why infertility are increasing? What are the risk factors of infertility? When to visit a doctor? Read out the complete blog to get answers to all the questions.
A Better Understanding of Infertility
At some point, every couple wants to start a family. According to several studies, approximately 85% of couples successfully conceive within a year of trying. But there are still a few couples who face problems due to certain reasons. The inability to conceive within a year is known as Infertility.
According to research done by the Department of Health study, 1 in 6 married couples worldwide are experiencing infertility and are unable to reach their aspirations of becoming parents. The report also notes that the number of cases of infertility is rising quickly in the modern era.
Types of infertility
Male Infertility
Male infertility refers to the medical condition where a male individual is unable to impregnate a female due to underlying reasons or problems such as low sperm count, hormonal imbalance, genetic disorders, etc. This condition is treatable under certain circumstances and may need medical supervision.
Female Infertility
Female infertility refers to the medical condition when a woman is unable to achieve pregnancy after 12 or more months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. This condition occurs due to some factors or underlying problems like PCOS, Endometriosis, damage to fallopian tubes, etc. There are two types of female infertility:
Primary infertility:
When a woman cannot ever carry a child, either due to the failure to achieve pregnancy or the inability to carry a pregnancy to full term, she would be considered to have primary infertility. Thus, women whose pregnancy unexpectedly miscarries or whose pregnancy stays to full term but results in a stillborn child would be experiencing primary infertility.
Secondary infertility:
Secondary infertility is when a woman cannot carry a child, either due to the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to full term. It is the inability that usually occurs after previously getting pregnant and giving birth to a child. The causes of secondary infertility are almost the same as that of primary infertility.
Secondary infertility is usually caused by:
- Impaired sperm production
- Problems related to the uterus or previous cesarean delivery
- PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
- Weight gain
- Lifestyle changes
- Smoking or drinking
- Endometriosis
- Blockage in the fallopian tubes
Read more: Symptoms of Infertility
Infertility Risk Factors
Infertility is a complex condition; certain lifestyle factors, along with medical and environmental factors, may increase the risk of infertility in both men and women. Assessment and/or prevention of these risk factors is necessary to prevent infertility issues. Let’s take a look at the most common risk factors linked to infertility in men and women.
Factors in Men
Men need to consider a variety of risk factors that can be potentially harmful and cause infertility. Here is a list of common risk factors that increase the chances of infertility in men:
- Alcohol consumption
- Overweight BMI
- Illicit drug usage
- Exposure to toxins
- Smoking habits
- History of infections
- Genetic history of infertility
Factors in Women
Women have to be aware of certain risk factors associated with increased chances of infertility. Here is a list of the most common factors:
- Excessively high or low body fat
- Prolonged Alcohol use
- Miscarriage history
- Smoking habits
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Hormonal imbalance
- Abnormalities in the uterus
Causes of Infertility
A series of medical disorders and environmental causes may lead to infertility in men and women. Timely diagnosis is crucial to prevent and check if these conditions are present in your body and to undergo necessary treatments. Take a look at some conditions that are common causes of infertility in men and women.
Causes in Men
Varicocele
Varicocele refers to a condition in which the veins within the scrotum become enlarged. This condition generally occurs when blood is not efficiently circulated out of the scrotum through the veins. Increased hormone activity may also lead to varicocele formation.
Retrograde Ejaculation
Retrograde ejaculation is a condition where the semen enters the bladder instead of discharging out of the penis during ejaculation. It mostly occurs when the opening of the bladder fails to close properly. Individuals still experience a climax but with little or no semen discharge.
Hormonal Imbalance
Low testosterone levels and other hormonal imbalances may be the potential cause of Infertility. An abnormality affecting the hormonal systems, such as the adrenal, pituitary, thyroid glands, etc., may affect the hormonal balance in the body.
Undescended Testicles
This condition occurs when one or both of the testicles fail to drop into the scrotum during the early fetal development stages. Although there are no other symptoms, this condition can lower testosterone levels in Individuals, leading to infertility.
Explore more: Male Infertility Causes
Causes in Women
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome(PCOS)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects the ovaries, a female reproductive organ. This condition occurs due to hormonal imbalance, when the body starts to produce an abnormal amount of androgens, that are male sex hormones, found in females in small amounts. This hormonal imbalance leads to irregular periods, infertility and other issues.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a painful disease where tissues similar to the uterus lining grow outside the uterus. This condition is characterized by pelvic pain and affects the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Infertility issues can develop as a consequence of this condition.
Tubal Infertility(Damage to fallopian tubes)
Tubal infertility refers to the condition when a blockage or damage to the fallopian tubes obstructs the fertilization process or prevents the sperm from meeting the egg. Tubal infertility accounts for about 30-40% of all infertility issues.
Unexplained Infertility
This is a condition where the causes of infertility remain unknown to the doctors after a complete diagnosis. Minor psychological and physical factors can contribute to unexplained infertility. Although uncertain, this problem may disappear or be cured in some time.
Infertility Diagnosis
Experiencing difficulty in conceiving can be overwhelming, but one should not rush into expensive fertility procedures in this anxiety. Thorough medical analyses and examination is required to understand the causes of infertility. Some of the fertility tests that are performed to diagnose male and female infertility are:
Diagnosis for Men
- Testicular Biopsy is a procedure where an incision is made in the skin of the scrotum and a small sample from the testicle is removed for examination. The biopsy shows sperm production results.
- Anti-sperm Antibodies Test: This test looks for antibodies produced in the body that fight with sperm cells in blood, vaginal fluids or semen.
- Sperm Penetration Assay (SPA): This test assesses the functional capacity of sperm to fertilize female eggs.
- Ultrasounds: Tests like Scrotal and Transrectal ultrasound help doctors to look for varicoceles and blockages in tubes that carry semen.
- Semen Analysis: Semen Analysis involves the collection of post-ejaculation semen samples. These samples are examined under a microscope for sperm count, motility, and morphology.
Diagnosis for Women
- Ovulation testing is a home test that women use to assess their menstrual cycle and determine when they are likely to get pregnant. This test kit predicts the surge in Luteinizing hormone that occurs before ovulation.
- Hysterosalpingography: This procedure uses X-ray imaging to view the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes, looking for blockage or damage.
- Ovarian Reserve Testing: This test examines the egg count using ultrasound imaging of the vagina.
- Sonohysterogram Imaging: This test is used to see the details inside the uterus that regular ultrasounds cannot show. It is also known as a saline infusion sonogram.
- Hormone Blood Tests: These tests detect levels of various hormones, including FSH(follicle-stimulating hormone) and AMH(anti-müllerian hormone), which are responsible for fertility.
Infertility Treatment
In cases of Infertility, both partners should get properly diagnosed. Exact causes of Infertility are often hard to determine, still your doctor might recommend certain treatments according to the underlying causes. Treatments can involve medication or surgery to restore fertility, or usage of techniques to get you pregnant. Here are some commonly used treatments for men and women.
Treatment in Men
Varicocele Treatments
Varicocele can be treated with surgical procedures in cases of infertility. The process involves cutting off the affected veins and sealing the ends. The blood flow is directed to other healthy veins. Generally, varicocele doesn’t require surgery unless it is painful or in cases of infertility.
Azoospermia Treatments
This treatment involves unblocking, reconstructing, or connecting tubes and ducts responsible for the flow of semen from the testicles toward discharge. However, surgery is not always required; this condition can also be treated using hormone balance medications if the main cause is low hormone levels.
Vasoepididymostomy
This procedure is also known as reverse vasectomy. A surgery is done to attach the tube that carries sperm(vas deferens). It is one of the most challenging procedures used for the treatment of male infertility.
Hormone Treatment
Hormone treatments include a diagnosis of hormonal imbalance and the use of medication and lifestyle changes to repair the balance of hormone levels in the body.
Treatment in Women
Laparoscopic surgery
This treatment involves surgery to view and access the exterior part of the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and the uterus. Most of the procedures are carried out by inserting a laparoscope with minor incisions, but other procedures might require an open incision.
Hysteroscopic surgery
This procedure uses hysteroscopy, a type of imaging to identify abnormalities in the uterine cavity, such as fibroids, congenital malformations, and polyps. After examination, surgery is performed without making incisions, using long instruments inserted through the cervix to reach the inside of the uterus.
Tubal surgeries
These surgeries are performed to open blockages in the fallopian tubes or reverse previous tubal ligation procedures. This is done by removing blocked parts of the fallopian tubes and connecting the healthy ends.
Medication(Fertility Drugs)
Women facing ovulation disorders are mainly treated using fertility drugs. These types of medications help restore fertility in women. Fertility drugs behave like natural hormones FSH(follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH(luteinizing hormone) and trigger ovulation.
ART procedures
When the initial infertility treatments like medications and change in lifestyle fail to work, the best fertility doctors recommend Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures such as:
- In vitro fertilization (IVF): In this procedure, eggs and sperm are taken from both the partners for incubation in a fertility laboratory to produce an embryo. Medical specialists put the prepared embryo into the woman’s uterus for implantation.
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): In this process, the fertility experts put a man’s sperm into a woman’s uterus with the help of a long, narrow tube. IUI is performed in conditions like; low sperm count, erection problems, sperm with low motility, etc.
- Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT): In this ART procedure, fertilization occurs naturally when eggs and sperm are put inside the fallopian tube.
- Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT): ZIFT is another effective ART procedure, where fertilized eggs are transferred to the fallopian tube.
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): In this ART procedure, the fertility experts inject the single sperm into a mature egg.
Coping with infertility has become easier than ever due to the latest advancements in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technology.
Infertility Prevention
Infertility can be a painful experience for couples trying to conceive. How to prevent Infertility? There are a number of lifestyle changes that you need to make and certain things you should avoid in order to effectively prevent infertility. Here are 9 prevention tips that you should follow:
- Avoid/Quit smoking
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Maintain a healthy BMI
- Reduce exposure to toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, etc.
- Say no to hard drugs
- Reduce stress levels
- Eat a balanced diet
- Follow an active lifestyle
- Get regular checkups
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I’m infertile?
Infertility is a condition where the female partner is not able to achieve pregnancy, after 12 or more months of unprotected sexual intercourse. If you and your partner are experiencing such a situation, then you both need to seek medical attention for Infertility diagnosis. It may be that either or both partners have infertility issues.
Do regular periods mean you are fertile?
Although regular periods indicate that ovulation is occurring, there are other factors that determine fertility in female bodies. Many females who have a regular menstrual cycle still struggle with infertility.
Is infertility a “womens’ problem”?
Absolutely not! This is an old myth and does not hold true. Both men and women can experience infertility issues. In fact, about 40% of infertility cases are reported in males, 40% in females, 10% in both the partners and the rest 10% are unexplained infertility.
Does Fertility decrease with age?
Yes. Both men and women show a decrease in fertility rates with an increase in age. In women, fertility rates start to gradually decrease after the age of 30, while in men, it starts decreasing after 40 years of age. This is not to say that you will not be able to conceive, but it will be considerably harder.
Verified by Crysta IVF Fertility Experts
