The causes of infertility can vary between men and women. Common causes in women would be ovulation problems, blocked fallopian tubes, or issues with the uterus. There are also hormonal imbalances, age, and some medical conditions affecting fertility.For men, low sperm count, poor sperm quality, or problems with sperm delivery can be the main causes. Infertility may arise due to lifestyle factors, like smoking, excessive drinking, and stress.
Dr. Rita Bakshi and her team can help you with this issue. With RISAA IVF, discover the causes and get the best treatment option. With years of experience dedicated to fertility care, we offer an all-encompassing approach to help couples to start their journey of parenthood.
In this blog, we shall provide a thorough guide to understanding the causes of infertility, treatment options, and ways to overcome infertility.
What is Infertility?
Infertility is the inability to conceive after trying for a year or more. It affects both men and women. In women, it can be due to problems with ovulation, blocked fallopian tubes, or hormonal imbalances. In men, infertility often relates to low sperm count or poor sperm quality. Infertility can happen by various factors, including age, lifestyle, or underlying health conditions. It’s important to consult a doctor to identify the cause and explore treatment options. With the right care, many couples can overcome infertility and achieve their dream of becoming parents.
Types of Infertility
There are three basic types of infertility: primary, secondary, and unexplained infertility. Each type presents specific characteristics.
Primary Infertility
A couple has primary infertility if they are trying for one year or more to get pregnant. However, even after trying they can’t be able to conceive.
Secondary Infertility
This refers to a case in which a couple has already conceived one child but cannot conceive again.
Unexplained Infertility
Detection of no diagnosable cause for infertility, even after thorough investigations upon both individuals.
Understanding the type of infertility can help guide treatment options and increase the chances of successful conception.
Causes of Infertility in Women
Several causes can lead to infertility in women. Understanding these causes can help in finding the right treatment. Here are some common causes:
- Ovulation Disorders: Problems with ovulation can prevent the release of eggs. This is usually a consequence of hormonal imbalance.
- Blocked Fallopian Tubes: Obstructed tubes will prevent the egg from being carried to the uterus for fertilization.
- Endometriosis: This condition occurs when tissue similar to the uterus lining grows outside it, which can affect fertility.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS causes hormonal imbalance and irregular ovulation, making it harder to conceive.
- Age: Women see changes in their fertility with advancing age because of declining egg number and quality.
- Uterine Problems: Any defects in the uterine structure. For e.g., fibroids and scarring, may interfere with the implantation processes.
- Thyroid Problems: Both hyper- and hypothyroidism disrupt the functioning of hormones responsible for fertility.
Causes of Infertility in a Man
Factors leading to infertility among men affect sperm production or sperm quality. Here are some causes:
- Low Sperm Count: A lower than normal sperm count reduces the probability of fertilizing an egg.
- Poor Sperm Quality: Slow, misshapen, or poorly swimming sperm may make conception difficult.
- Blockage or Vas Deferens Issues: Blocked tubes or damaged vas deferens can prevent sperm from being released during ejaculation.
- Hormonal Imbalances: The main role of hormones is in sperm production, and also imbalance can lead you to infertility.
- Varicocele: Varicocele causes the blood in the veins around the spermatic cord to pool, leading to an elevation in temperature around the testes. Temperature elevation can also reduce sperm production.
- Lifestyle factors: These comprise smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, drugs, or extreme stress situations, which might act as a threat to sperm quality.
- Age: The Number of Sperm decreases with age, so does production, leading to a reduction in fertility.
Diagnosis of Infertility for Women and Men
Infertility diagnosis covers various causes in men and women. An initial part of the diagnosis consists of a review of the medical history and a few basic tests.
Diagnosis of Female Infertility
- Ovulation Testing: A blood test is done to see if ovulation is occurring regularly.
- Hormone Testing: Taking a blood sample to measure hormone levels to balance the hormones
- Ultrasound: The uterus and ovaries are examined for irregularities, such as cysts or fibroids.
- Hysterosalpingography: X-ray examination used to detect blockages of the fallopian tubes.
- Laparoscopy: Minor surgery in which your abdomen is inspected for endometriosis or pelvic problems.
Diagnosis of Male Infertility
- Semen Analysis: Sperm count, shape, and movements are evaluated.
- Hormone Testing: Measures hormone levels related to sperm production.
- Genetic Testing: To detect hereditary disorders affecting fertility.
- Scrotal Ultrasound: Used to examine the scrotum for blockages or varicocele, conditions that may affect sperm production.
Treatment of Infertility
Infertility treatment is important to fight many issues in the future. It can also equally aid in conception for many couples. Available treatments for male and female alike are varied.
Infertility Treatment for Female
- Medications: Hormonal medications are designed to help stimulate proper ovulation in a patient with irregular or absent ovulation.
- Surgery: Procedures can relieve blockage of the fallopian tubes or address any other medical condition, such as fibroids, that impairs fertility.
- IUI: Intrauterine insemination, in which sperm are injected directly into the uterus via a catheter in order to increase the chance of pregnancy.
- IVF: In vitro fertilization combines a sperm with an egg in a lab and places the developing embryo into the uterus.
Infertility Treatment for Male
- Medications: Medications can rectify hormonal imbalance and increase sperm count and improvement.
- Lifestyle Changes: A healthy diet, exercising, stressing less, and quitting smoking can all aid male fertility.
- Surgical Treatment: Blockages of the sperm-carrying tubes or complications resulting from a condition known as varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum). Surgery can treat this issue.
- Sperm Retrieval: If there is no sperm in ejaculatory fluid, surgery can help extract the sperm for the purpose of assisting reproduction. It is most commonly a part of in vitro fertilization (IVF).
How to Prevent Infertility?
While some causes of infertility cannot be avoided, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Healthy lifestyle choices and early medical care can help prevent many fertility problems.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight or underweight can affect your fertility. A balanced diet and regular exercise can help maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid Smoking and Excessive Alcohol: Smoking and drinking heavily can lower sperm count in men and affect egg quality in women. Reducing or quitting can improve fertility.
- Manage Stress: High stress levels can interfere with ovulation and sperm production. Relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation can help in managing stress.
- Get Regular Check-ups: Regular health check-ups help identify any conditions affecting fertility early. Treatment for conditions like PCOS or thyroid problems can improve fertility.
- Protect Against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Untreated STIs can lead to infertility. Practicing safe sex and regular screenings can help in preventing this.
Final Words
By making healthy lifestyle choices and getting regular check-ups, you can reduce the risk of many causes of infertility. Maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, and practicing safe sex are simple steps that can improve your fertility. Early treatment for underlying health conditions can also help prevent long-term fertility issues. Taking these preventive measures can improve your chances of conceiving and lead to a healthier pregnancy.
If you are facing infertility or struggling with related issues, contact us today or mail us at [email protected] for expert guidance and care.
