Infertility: Understanding the Causes and Seeking Treatment
What is Infertility?
Infertility is the inability to conceive a child after one year of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. It affects approximately one in six couples globally.
- Primary infertility: Inability to conceive ever.
- Secondary infertility: Inability to conceive after a previous successful pregnancy.
Infertility can stem from various factors affecting both men and women, including hormonal imbalances, structural problems, age, and lifestyle choices.
What Causes Infertility in Women?
Several factors can contribute to female infertility:
- Ovulation disorders: Irregular or absent ovulation, sometimes associated with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- Fallopian tube blockages: Caused by pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or prior surgery.
- Uterine or cervical abnormalities: Structural issues such as fibroids or polyps can interfere with fertilization or implantation.
- Age: Fertility declines significantly as a woman ages, particularly after 35.
- Other factors: Thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, cancer treatments, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and obesity can all impact fertility.
What Causes Infertility in Men?
Male infertility accounts for approximately one-third of infertility cases. Causes include:
- Low sperm count or poor sperm motility: Reduced number or impaired movement of sperm.
- Abnormal sperm shape or structure: Affects sperm's ability to fertilize an egg.
- Varicocele: Enlarged veins in the scrotum.
- Hormonal imbalances: Affecting sperm production.
- Genetic defects: Affecting sperm production or function.
- Lifestyle factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol use, drug use, and obesity.
- Exposure to toxins or radiation: Can damage sperm.
- Previous surgery or injury: To the testicles or reproductive tract.
In some instances, the cause remains unexplained, impacting both partners.
Seeking Help
Dealing with infertility can be emotionally and physically challenging. However, numerous effective fertility treatments exist, including medication, surgery, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Consult a fertility specialist if you've been trying to conceive for over a year (or six months if the woman is over 35). Remember, infertility is common, and seeking help is a positive step towards building a family. Integrated Hormone Health offers comprehensive fertility services.