INFERTILITY

What is Infertility?

It is said to be the condition in which there is an inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after 12 months of trying to conceive. So, in simple language it means after having continuous unprotected sex for more than one year and still not getting pregnant. then one or two partners may have fertility problems. This issue can be found both in male and females. In women infertility is termed if women are not able to carry full term pregnancy and in men who are not able to impregnate is termed as infertility. The likelihood of fertility disorder increases when couples wait until they reach their 30s or 40s to start a family.

Approximately 80% of couples will be pregnant after 12 months of trying, while another 5-15% will conceive in their second year of trying.

The fertility can be in two forms which are

Primary infertility – refers to the cases where someone with no pregnancy history has difficulty to conceive

Secondary infertility – where someone has had 1 or more pregnancies in the past, but is having difficulty conceiving again.

Causes:

For Men:

Low sperm count: To cross the barrier which is present in the female reproductive system, a sperm needs to be in good quality and quantity.
Low testosterone level: It is a hormone which helps in the sperm production, the low levels of testosterone might cause low sperm count.
Erectile dysfunction: In few cases, there is a problem in maintaining the erection, might cause infertility
Abnormal sperm function: If a sperm has low mobility ( movement or there is a default in shape, leads to infertility.
Alcohol consumption: Consuming excess amounts of alcohol can lead to low testosterone levels, resulting in low fertility.

PROBLEMS WITH SPERM PRODUCTION

A man might deliver sperm in low amounts, or his sperm might be deformed or unfit to swim appropriately. This large number of issues lessen the probability that his sperm can add to origination. huge quantities of sperm ought to be made so with respect to treatment to happen; men in whom this doesn't occur have a periodic sperm count.

DIFFICULT PASSAGE OF SPERM

The male sperm has a long, winding, convoluted excursion from its source in the testis till it's discharged During it's excursion, there are sure hindrances like restricting, blockage or other contortion of any of the cylinders that can slow or totally hinder the section of sperm. It can be caused because of different issues yet the contamination of the male regenerative framework is the best bet. A few contaminations communicated during sexual entomb course, particularly gonorrhea - can cause the irritation ( Injury) of the cylinders which leaves a scar tissue that can twist their design which might influence their sperm conveying (transport) capacity.

EJACULATION PROBLEMS

A number of ejaculation problems prevent sperm from arriving in the vagina by normal means, making fertilization impossible. The most common is erectile dysfunction (the difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection). This condition may be a result of diabetes mellitus, a spinal cord disease, impaired blood flow, certain drugs, or psychological problems. Another problem, retrograde ejaculation, causes semen to flow back into the bladder because of faulty valves; this can be a complication of surgery for partial or complete removal of the prostate gland. Various treatments are available that can help reduce erectile dysfunction, depending on the nature and cause of the problem.

For Women:

Ovulation disorder
Uterus disorder
Uterus abnormalities
Damaged fallopian tube
Endometriosis
Cervical problems

DAMAGED FALLOPIAN TUBE

The fallopian tube may become blocked as a result of endometriosis in which fragments of the uterine lining (endometrium) become embedded in the tube tissue. Pelvic inflammatory disease which is often caused by a sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia,, may go unnoticed at the time of infection, but scarring due to the inflammation can cause problems with fertility later. An intrauterine contraceptive device can increase the risk of PID developing. Usually, only one tube is affected, which means that a woman’s chance of conceiving is halved.

ENDOMETRIOSIS Fragments of endometrium start growing in one tube, causing blockage and distortion, and rendering the tube useless as a passageway for eggs to the uterus.

OVULATION PROBLEMS

Any deviation from the normal ovulation pattern can cause problems with fertility. The precise problem can range from complete absence of egg release to infrequent release. Factors that can lead to ovulation problems include pituitary and thyroid gland disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, long-term use of oral contraceptives, being very over- or underweight, stress, excessive exercise, and premature menopause.

CERVICAL PROBLEMS

The cervix, or neck of the womb, produces mucus that is usually thick; just before ovulation, when the level of estrogen increases, the mucus becomes less viscous to allow sperm to penetrate. If estrogen levels are low or if there is infection within the reproductive tract, the mucus may remain thick and impregnable to sperm. Another problem that may make the cervix inhospitable is that sometimes a woman’s immune system forms antibodies to her partner’s sperm, which will then damage or kill the sperm in the cervix. Polyps, fibroids , narrowing (stenosis), and distortion are other problems of the cervix that may lead to infertility.

ANTIBODIES TO SPERM: Some women make antibodies to their partner’s sperm, which are immobilized as they travel from the vagina to the cervix.

Diagnosis:

Prior to infertility testing, your doctor or clinic will try to understand your sexual habits and give suggestions to help you get pregnant. There is no single cause for infertility in certain couples (unexplained infertility).

For Men:

Male fertility necessitates that the testicles produce enough healthy sperm and that the sperm is effectively ejaculated into the vagina and travels to the egg. Male infertility tests seek to determine whether any of these processes are impaired.

Semen Testing: Your doctor may request one or more sperm samples. Masturbation or interrupting intercourse and ejaculating your sperm into a clean container is the most common way to obtain sperm. Your sperm specimen is examined in a laboratory. Urine may be tested for the presence of sperm in some cases.
Hormone testing: A blood test may be performed to determine your testosterone and other male hormone levels.
Testicular biopsy: A testicular biopsy may be performed in some cases to identify abnormalities that contribute to infertility or to retrieve sperm for assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF.
Imaging: Imaging studies such as a brain MRI, transrectal or scrotal ultrasound, or a vas deferens test (vasography) may be performed in some cases.
Genetic testing: To determine whether a genetic defect is causing infertility, genetic testing may be performed.

For Women:

Women's fertility is dependent on their ovaries producing healthy eggs. The reproductive tract must allow an egg to enter the fallopian tubes and combine with sperm to fertilise. The fertilised egg must travel to the uterus and implant in the lining of the uterus. Female infertility tests attempt to determine whether any of these processes are impaired.

Ovulation testing: A blood test determines whether you're ovulating by measuring hormone levels.
Hysterosalpingography: Hysterosalpingography (his-tur-o-sal-ping-GOG-ruh-fee) examines your uterus and fallopian tubes for blockages or other problems. An X-ray contrast agent is injected into your uterus, and an X-ray is taken to see if the cavity is normal and if fluid is spilling out of your fallopian tubes.
Ovarian reserve testing: This testing aids in determining the number of eggs available for ovulation. This method is frequently preceded by hormone testing early in the menstrual cycle.
Other hormone testing: Other hormone tests look at ovulatory hormone levels as well as pituitary hormones, which control reproductive processes.

Note: Before the cause of infertility is discovered, not everyone needs to undergo all, or even many, of these tests. You and your doctor will select which tests to have and when they should be done.

Symptoms:

For Men:

Hormonal imbalances: A man's fertility might be affected by a variety of hormonal abnormalities. Because testosterone is such an important hormone for male fertility, issues with the testes that produce it might result in infertility. Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone are two hormones that tell the testes to generate sperm and testosterone. These hormones are produced by the pituitary gland, so any issues with this gland may have an impact on infertility.
Erectile dysfunction: It may be difficult to get or maintain an erection due to hormonal changes, psychological concerns, or physical issues. If this happens frequently, it could impede with sexual activity or be a sign of a deeper problem.
Ejaculation Problems: Having trouble ejaculating or detecting changes in the ejaculate, such as a decrease in volume, could indicate a problem with a man's fertility.
Changes in testicles: The health of a man's testicles is crucial to his fertility. Another indicator of hormone problems could be small or hard testicles that feel "tight." Swollen, painful, or sore testicles, on the other hand, may indicate an underlying problem, such as an infection, which can affect sperm quality and male fertility.

For Women:

Pain during sex: Dyspareunia, or pain during sex, might be a sign of an underlying health problem that affects a woman's fertility. Infections, endometriosis, and fibroids are examples of such health problems.
Heavy, long, or painful periods: Some women have mild periods for a few days, while others have heavy periods and unpleasant cramps on a regular basis. Endometriosis, a disorder in which tissues normally located in the womb are found elsewhere in the body, may be prevalent in women who have very heavy, painful periods.
Irregular menstrual cycle: The length of a menstrual cycle differs from person to person and throughout time. Many people, on the other hand, have a regular cycle, in which the time between periods is roughly the same. A woman's irregular cycle, which includes missed periods, can contribute to infertility because it indicates that she is not ovulating on a regular basis. The ovary releases an egg during ovulation. Ovulation irregularities can be caused by a variety of factors, including polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), obesity, underweight, and thyroid problems.
Underlying medical conditions: Other factors that may influence a woman's fertility include harm to the ovaries or fallopian tubes; menopause in a young age; Cancer; PCOS; endometriosis, and cancer treatments
Not getting pregnant: The most common symptom of infertility is not being able to conceive after a period of time of trying. If a woman has not gotten pregnant after a year of trying, she may be diagnosed with infertility. If a woman is over 35 years old and has not gotten pregnant after 6 months of trying, she may be infertile.

Treatment:

Treatment for infertility is determined by the cause, your age, how long you've been infertile, and your personal preferences. Because infertility is a complex disorder, treatment necessitates substantial financial, physical, psychological, and time commitments.

Treatments can either attempt to restore fertility through medication or surgery, or they can assist you in becoming pregnant using sophisticated techniques.

In Vitro Fertilizations (IVF): In Vitro Fertilizations is one of the most effective assisted reproductive techniques, which involves combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish and then transferring the formed embryo into the uterus for implantation. After the embryo is transferred, the patient must wait two weeks for the final result.
In Vitro Maturation (IVM): IVM is a procedure that is very similar to IVF. It entails retrieving and maturing immature oocytes from the ovaries in a laboratory setting. IVM, unlike IVF, does not require any hormonal stimulation. This is best for people who have a low tolerance for medications.
Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI): Intra uterine insemination is a medical procedure that aids in the treatment of unexplained infertility. It entails inserting the man's sperm into the woman's uterus in order to allow for fertilizations. This is a less invasive and less costly procedure.
Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) :- ICSI is used in half of all IVF treatments. This procedure entails injecting a single sperm, which is picked up with a fine-glass needle and poured into the cytoplasm, or fluid contents of the egg cell. The formed embryo is then implanted into the female's womb.

Some foods items that help to treat infertility are:

Ashwagandha: This herb aids in the maintenance of hormonal balance and the proper functioning of reproductive organs. Because of the repeated abortions, it aids in relaxing the uterus by properly bringing it and making it healthy. You will need the assistance of a health professional to learn how to prepare this natural remedy.
Pomegranate improves uterine blood flow and helps to reduce the risk of miscarriage by thickening the uterine walls. It also promotes the healthy development of the foetus. To learn how to make this natural remedy, you'll need the help of a health professional.
Cinnamon can aid in the proper functioning of the egg-gland. And in this way, it may be effective in combating infertility. It also aids in the treatment of PCO, which is one of the most common causes of infertility. You will need the assistance of a health professional to learn how to prepare this natural remedy.
Palm dates can aid in your ability to conceive. It contains many nutrients, including: - Vitamins A, E, and B, iron, and other essential minerals, which are required for a woman to conceive and from pregnancy to childbirth. You will need the assistance of a health professional to learn how to prepare this natural remedy.
Vitamin-D - Vitamin D is required for pregnancy and giving birth to a healthy baby. In fact, vitamin D deficiency, infertility, and abortion may all be contributing factors. In the morning, incubate for 10 minutes to allow your body to produce vitamin D. Consume vitamin-D-rich foods such as salmon, cheese, egg yolk, and vitamin-D-rich foods with a high intake of foods. Vitamin D can also be taken as pills, but only after consulting with your doctor.

Precautions:

Yes, of course infertility can be prevented if proper precautions are taken. For those who don’t have fertility issues but wants to prevent fertility complications in the future must follow the following: