A couple is diagnosed as infertile if their efforts toward attaining a pregnancy have been unsuccessful over the course of one year. For a newlywed couple looking to start a family, infertility can be outright devastating.
Reasons of Infertility in Females
Cyclical ovulation and menses, and the changes that are triggered when the womb accepts the sperm are extremely complex, and can be affected by lots of different factors. An unfortunate physiological slip-up in any of these complex processes is what causes female infertility.
1. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Also known as PCOS, it is one of the leading causes of infertility in women.
What is it?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that can affect women during their childbearing years, which falls in the range of 15 to 44 (approximately), and affects the woman’s ovaries.
Possible Signs Include:
- Irregular periods with heavy flow (caused by uterus lining building up over a longer time).
- Presence of high levels of male hormones causes extra hair growth on the face, back and chest while also triggering male pattern baldness.
- Weight gain and formation of dark patches which is caused by insulin resistance which often accompanies PCOS.
- Other signs include headaches and acne.
Treatment:
Persons with PCOS are prescribed birth control pills to regularise periods. This is accompanied by medication to combat insulin resistance and cholesterol. Lifestyle changes and hormonal therapy could reverse some signs of PCOS.
Success Rate:
Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for PCOS yet. Reversing the imbalance of hormones through medication and lifestyle changes can increase one’s chances of becoming pregnant. The effects of these vary from person to person.
2. Hypothalamic Amenorrhea
Hypothalamic Amenorrhea refers to an impairment in the functioning of the hypothalamus leading to infertility.
What is it?
The hypothalamus is a gland that regulates the production of hormones in the body. The hypothalamus is easily affected by factors such as stress, diet, sudden weight gain or loss and over-exercise. This can lead to a situation where the menstrual cycle of women is affected, leading to problems such as infertility.
Possible Signs:
- Increase in appetite
- Cold chills
- Poor sex drive
- Depression
Treatment:
A lifestyle change is needed to address the problem and is usually the first step in treatment. Hormonal therapy, using injections is another option for treatment. In Vitro fertilization of the egg is the safest method of dealing with this condition.
Success Rate:
Hypothalamic Amenorrhea is reversible, and success rates for attaining pregnancy are quite good.
3. Premature Ovarian Failure
Premature Ovarian Failure is a condition where there is a lack of a sufficient number of eggs being produced.
What is it?
A condition experienced by women under the age of 40, it is caused by the poor production of oestrogen. Please note that this should not be confused with premature menopause. Menopause is the complete cessation of egg production leading to infertility. Premature ovarian failure, on the other hand, is dysfunctional or insufficient egg production.
Possible Signs:
The symptoms of Premature Ovarian Failure include:
- Vaginal dryness
- Lowered sex drive
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Irregular periods
Treatment:
Treatment for this condition addresses the insufficiency of oestrogen that arises from the condition. IVF is also a viable treatment option.
Success Rate:
Unlike menopause, there are instances where women still experience menstrual bleeding and conception is possible.
4. Overproduction of Prolactin
Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland.
What is it?
If prolactin production is higher than normal, it will suppress the production of oestrogen, which in turn affects the regularity of one’s menstrual cycle and fertility.
Possible Signs:
- Irregular or no periods
- Vaginal dryness
- The growth of hair on face and body, accompanied by acne.
- Milky discharge from breasts (though the person is not lactating)
Treatment:
This condition can be treated by medication and even surgery. The drug Bromocriptine is used for women who suffer this condition and want to boost their fertility.
Success Rate:
The normal pituitary function can be restored, and fertility regained in most cases.
5. Tubal Infertility
As the name suggests, it concerns the fallopian tube.
What is it?
A block in your fallopian tube or a damaged fallopian tube will hinder the transfer of egg from your ovary to the womb, affecting one’s normal menstrual cycle.
Possible Signs:
Irregular periods and in some cases, lower abdominal pain may indicate a block or damage in fallopian tubes.
Treatment:
Blocked fallopian tubes can be treated by operation. Damaged tubes are not easily repairable and doing so poses a risk for further complications.
Success Rate:
Success in achieving pregnancy after treatment for blocked fallopian tubes is guaranteed. In-Vitro fertilization is recommended to avoid the risk of complications of a damaged fallopian tube.
6. Endometriosis
Endometriosis usually affects the fallopian tubes, ovaries and other tissues in the pelvic region.
What is it?
The Endometrium tissue is a mucous membrane tissue that lines the uterus and is required for the implantation of the egg. When the Endometrium tissue grows outside the uterus, it results in Endometriosis. When the tissue grows in the ovaries, it can lead to the formation of ovarian cysts which can affect fertility.
Possible Signs:
- Painful periods
- Pain with intercourse
- Pain with urination and bowel movements
- Heavy bleeding during periods and sometimes bleeding between periods
Treatment:
As endometriosis is caused by an overabundance of oestrogen, hormone therapy is the definitive treatment for it, barring surgery. Patients will also need pain relief medication.
Success Rate:
Opting for in vitro fertilization is advised over constructive surgery. Doctors also advise women suffering from this condition to opt for pregnancy earlier rather than later as the condition could worsen over time, impairing their ability to carry a pregnancy to term.
Reasons for Male Infertility
Inability to conceive a child may subject a man to guilt and shame. It also comes with some societal stigma despite the fact that many people may are unaware of what causes male infertility. However, there are many forms of infertility that can be treated.
1. Varicocele
If you feel a sharp growing pain in your testicles you may be experiencing varicocele.
What is it?
Varicocele is a condition where the veins surrounding the testicles in the scrotum get enlarged and hinder the quality of one’s sperm.
Possible Signs:
Varicocele shows almost no outward signs in most cases. It may sometimes cause pain in and around the testis. This pain appears in the following ways:
- Varies from sharp to dull
- Increases with a long time spent standing or doing physical activity
- Pain can be relieved only while lying down
Treatment:
Mild forms of varicocele do not need treatment and may not cause an inability to conceive. If the condition becomes painful, surgery is used to treat it.
Success Rate:
If treated surgically, the alleviation of varicocele can improve the quality of one’s sperm and bolster one’s ability to father a child. Varicocele is considered to be effectively reversible.
2. Infection
Some infections can affect sperm quality, quantity, and delivery in men.
What is it?
An infection is caused by the action of foreign bodies such as virus and bacteria. Infections that cause male infertility are:
- Mycoplasma
- Tuberculosis
- Gonorrhoea
- Urinary tract Infections
- Chlamydia
Treatment:
Treatments for genital infections vary depending on the nature of the infection.
Success Rate:
Most infections can be treated and reversed with proper medical care. If one suspects an infection, they should seek help immediately, as its development and the damages it causes over time may prove irreversible.
3. Retrograde Ejaculation
This is related to the improper ejaculation of the semen.
What is it?
Certain conditions may cause a man’s semen to enter the bladder instead of being released out through the penis.
Possible Signs:
- Little to no semen ejaculated during orgasm.
- Cloudy urine after orgasm, caused by semen in the bladder.
Treatment:
Medications may help somewhat in correcting the problem, where it is caused by nerve damage.
Success Rate:
Retrieving sperm, in order to use it for In Vitro fertilization, effectively bypasses the problem of infertility caused due to retrograde ejaculation.
4. Tumours
These include benign and malignant tumours.
What is it?
The swelling of a part of a body without any considerable inflammation, and when is caused by the abnormal growth of tissue, is called a tumour. Tumours growing near different glands in the body that control the creation of hormones could push into the glands, affecting their release of hormones.
Possible Signs:
The growth of a tumour inside the scrotum can be scanned physically. Internal tumours may be harder to locate.
Treatment:
Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are all used to treat tumours.
Success Rate:
Non-malignant tumours can be removed by surgery and are highly unlikely to cause long-term damage to one’s fertility. Cancer patients who have been exposed to radiation or chemotherapy may need to wait for a while before sperm production is regained. The time taken in regaining fertility increases with the age of the patient.
5. Hormonal Imbalance
Just like women, men also suffer from hormonal imbalances.
What is it?
When hormones that influence sperm production are thrown off the normal range of required quantity, it could cause infertility.
Possible Signs:
Symptoms of hormonal imbalances vary widely, and it is commonly diagnosed when seeking medical attention for infertility. Reasons that could cause hormonal imbalance range from genetics to lifestyle choices.
Treatment:
Hormonal therapy can help restore the proper balance of hormones in an affected person’s body.
Success Rate:
Treatment of hormonal imbalance has a high rate of success. However, restoring sperm production and potency may take a year or longer.
Female infertility causes and treatment differs from person to person and case to case. As despairing as coming to terms with such circumstances may be, please do not opt to rely on unscientific, “one cure for all” infertility treatments that could damage one’s health further. For men, sperm production, delivery and quality are all factors that determine male fertility. Most can be treated with surgery or medication. As long as production of viable sperm hasn’t been determinedly disqualified, options such as IVF can provide solutions.
Read this article in Arabic: العقم عند الذكور والإناث
