Know about causes of Infertility in men and women

Know about causes of Infertility in men and women
Infertility is a state of the reproductive system that prevents the conception of babies. It is a rare
condition and affects approximately 10-15% of couples in the world. In men and women, there
are several causes of Infertility, and it could be due to various reasons such as - disease and
medical conditions, and it affects about one in six men and women of reproductive age.
This is usually identified when couples are unsuccessful in conceiving despite trying for a year
or more, and they are immediately diagnosed. The causes of Infertility equally affect both men
and women where some couples have multiple diagnoses concerning both partners while
others are faced with the troubling mystery of Unexplained Infertility.
Many leading reproductive professional organizations such as the American Society for
Reproductive Medicine and others recommend seeing an infertility specialist if they meet the
conditions such as Unsuccessful pregnancy despite having one year of unprotected sexual
intercourse by a woman under 35 years of age, trying for six months and still failing to conceive
over the age of 35, the patient has an experience of two or more miscarriages, the patient is
diagnosed with PCOS or endometriosis or factors such as low sperm count in the male partner.
Infertility could be due to various reasons which might not be the fault of the patient such as
environmental factors, genetic factors, structural factors and other medical disorders. Although,
factors such as a poor diet, athletic overtraining, exposure to chemicals and usage of drugs,
alcohol or tobacco could also majorly contribute to the problem.
Causes of Infertility
The problem with Menstruation and Ovulation are1) Anovulation - The irregular or abnormal ovulation is one of the biggest reasons for female
Infertility and attributes to 25% of all female infertility problems.
2) Blocked Fallopian Tubes/ Tubal Disease - This is another cause of Infertility where the
fallopian tubes are scarred or blocked, which prevents fertilization.
3) Endometriosis
It can be a painful and chronic condition that is characterized by the formation of aligning
outside the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel and bladder. The scar tissue formed from this
condition can cause Infertility.
4) Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
This cause of Infertility a hormonal imbalance which results in lack of ovulation, irregular periods
and Infertility. It forms small cysts on the ovary, which can be seen on an ultrasound and is often
associated with insulin resistance.
5) Fibroids
Non-cancerous, estrogen-dependent benign tumours were growing in the uterus, which causes
stomach pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. They can also cause infertility and recurrent
miscarriages.
6) Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)
This cause of Infertility occurs in women younger than or of 40 years of age, wherein their
ovaries stop ovulating. They lose their reproductive capabilities, and it puts them at a higher risk
for heart disease and osteoporosis.
Male Factor Causes of Infertility
1) Azoospermia and Oligospermia
Azoospermia refers to complete absence of sperm, whereas Oligospermia refers to the lesser
sperm cell production. Other causes include abnormal sperm cells or sperm cells that die before
they reach the egg.
2) Varicocele
It refers to the swelling of the veins that drain the testicle. It is the most common reversible
cause of Infertility and is related to abnormal testicular temperature regulation. They result in the
reduced quality of sperm.
3) Infection
Infections such as epididymis, orchitis, sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea and
HIV are significant causes of Infertility in the male partner. Some result in permanent testicular
damage while most often, sperm can be retrieved.
4) Problems with Ejaculation
Retrograde Ejaculation transpires when semen enters the bladder during intercourse, instead of
emerging out of the penis. This cause of Infertility is mainly due to various health conditions
such as diabetes, spinal injuries, medications, surgery of the bladder, prostate or urethra.
5) Tumours
Cancers and nonmalignant tumours can affect the male reproductive organs through the glands
that release reproduction hormones such as the pituitary gland, or other unknown causes.
6)Hormonal Imbalance
Another cause of Infertility could be due to an abnormality affecting another hormonal system,
including the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands. Low testosterone and other
hormonal problems have several possible underlying causes.
7) Chromosome Defects
Abnormal development of reproductive organs is caused either by inherited disorders such as
Klinefelter syndrome or other genetic syndromes associated with Infertility such as cystic
fibrosis, Kallmann's syndrome and Kartagener's syndrome.
Infertility is a rare condition, and many methods could be adopted to overcome this problem.
Regular check-ups must be done for sexually transmitted diseases, environmental toxins must
be avoided while trying to conceive as it is found that a chemical named Phthalates was known
to cause genetic birth defects in boys who are exposed in the womb, high mercury is related to
miscarriages and benzene is known as an endocrine disruptor which causes Infertility. Other
measures include zero intakes of drugs and tobacco, reduced consumption of alcohol and
maintaining a healthy diet and also maintaining sexual health.
Are you also facing a major concern of Infertility? Visit Dr. Shweta Goswami and treat infertility
through I.V.F.

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