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Infertility happens when a couple cannot conceive after having regular unprotected sex. An infertile couple may not be able to conceive, or a pregnant woman may not be able to carry the pregnancy to term. It is often defined as not conceiving after 12 months of regular sexual intercourse without the use of birth control.
After at least one year of unsuccessful attempts at conception through unprotected intercourse, a couple has been diagnosed with primary infertility. Causes of infertility include a wide range of physical as well as emotional factors.
Secondary infertility, on the other hand, is the inability to become pregnant or to carry a baby to term after previously giving birth to a baby. Secondary infertility might be caused by impaired sperm production, function, or delivery in men.
Signs of Infertility in Men and Women
- Pain during sex
- Irregular menstrual blood
- Dark or pale menstrual blood
- Hormone changes
- Underlying medical condition
- Obesity
- Hormonal imbalances
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Changes in testicles
- Low sperm count
Visit your doctor if you experiencing signs of infertility and who has been trying to conceive for more than a year for a thorough diagnosis. Sometimes there may be simple ways to make lifestyle adjustments to improve fertility, while other underlying causes may require treatment.
The 8 Causes of Infertility in Men and Women
- Low sperm count. An estimated one-third of couples struggle to conceive due to low sperm counts.
- Abnormal sperm. In some cases, the sperm is shaped differently, making it more difficult to move and fertilize an egg.
- Smoking. Women and men who smoke significantly increase their chances of infertility, and it can undermine fertility treatments.
- Alcohol and obesity. Alcohol consumption can affect fertility in either a positive or negative way. Obesity can increase the risk of infertility in women as well as men.
- Eating disorders. If an eating disorder leads to serious weight loss, fertility problems may arise.
- Sexually transmitted infections. As well as damaging a woman’s fallopian tubes, chlamydia can cause inflammation of a man’s scrotum.
- Exposure to some chemicals. Men and women have been affected by fertility problems caused by pesticides, herbicides, metals, such as lead, and solvents.
- Mental stress. A reduction in sexual activity may occur as a result of this affecting female ovulation and male sperm production.
How to Diagnose Primary and Secondary Infertility?
For men specific fertility tests may include:
- Semen analysis
- Hormone testing
- Genetic testing
- Testicular biopsy
- Imaging tests
For women, specific tests may include:
- Ovulation testing
- Hysterosalpingography
- Ovarian reserve testing
- Hormone testing
- Imaging tests
- Hysteroscopy
- Laparoscopy
Treatment for Primary and Secondary Infertility
Treatment consists of taking drugs and surgeries. There are different treatment options available such as:
Medication therapy
This is used to correct the irregular cycle of menstrual periods. As a first step, oral medication should be considered if the underlying cause is not ovulation-related.
Oral medication
Taking oral medicines like Clomiphene Citrate helps stimulate ovulation. Women with PCOS may find that the drug metformin lowers their levels of male hormones.
Other treatment includes:
