Infertility
On this page, you will find everything you need to know about infertility.
What is infertility?
It is a condition caused by various factors in the reproductive system of both sexes and is characterized by the inability or difficulty to conceive after one year of marriage or more.
What are the symptoms of infertility?
There are no visible symptoms of infertility other than the inability or difficulty to conceive. In some cases, the absence or irregularity of the menstrual cycle is considered a sign of infertility. Additionally, some cases in men may show symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
What are the causes of infertility?
Infertility may be a primary, where the couple has never been able to conceive, or secondary, where conception occurred previously.
In women:
- Problems or congenital defects in the ovaries, uterus, endocrine glands, or fallopian tubes, such as:
- Blockage of the fallopian tubes, sometimescaused by untreated sexually transmitted diseases.
- Complicationsfromabortion.
- Uterine disorders such as congenital abnormalities,like a septate uterus, inflammation ofthe uterine lining, or uterine tumors.
- Ovarian disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome or premature ovarian failure.
- Endometriosis.
Endocrine disorders.
- In men:
- Genetic disorders.
- Problems with the movement or deformity of sperm or low sperm levels.
- Blockage of reproductive ducts.
- Testosterone hormone imbalance.
- Issues with the testes.
Problems with glands.
In some cases, the cause may be unclear or unknown.
- There are also risk factors that increase the chance of infertility but do not necessarily cause it:
- Advancing age.
- Smoking.
- Alcohol consumption.
- Drug abuse.
- Excessive weight gain or loss.
- Menstrual cessation.
- Use of anabolic steroids and stimulants.
- Radiation and environmental toxins.
Certain medications.
What are the methods of diagnosing infertility?
- The doctor takes the medical history and conducts a clinical examination, and may request additional procedures as necessary, such as:
- Laboratory tests.
Imaging.
What arethe treatmentsfor infertility?
- Treatment involves several procedures, as needed, and may include the following:
- Clomiphene medications help with ovulation in women.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome medications, if present, such as metformin in women.
- Gonadotropin medications in women.
- Surgery.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
- How can infertility be prevented?
- Avoid sexually transmitted diseases.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle may help increase the chances of conception and achieving a healthy pregnancy.
When should you see a doctor?
After one year or more of marriage with ongoing marital relations without conception.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)?
