There can be the host of different causes of infertility. They range from pathological to functional, genetic and lifestyle.
Following Infertility causes have been well recognized:
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Uterine or cervical abnormalities:
Abnormalities with the opening of the cervix, polyps in the uterus or the shape of the uterus itself can be the reasons for infertility. Noncancerous tumors in the uterine wall (uterine fibroids) may rarely cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes. When the tubes get blocked sperms cannot get in contact with the egg and thus no pregnancy can occur.
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Ovulation disorders:
These are the common disorders in which the release of eggs from the ovaries is affected. These include hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Hyperprolactinemia- a condition in which you have high prolactin. It is a hormone that stimulates breast milk production but an increase in it may also interfere with ovulation. When the ovulation does not take place properly and timely it can cause infertility.
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Endometriosis:
It is a condition which occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus and affects the normal function of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
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Thyroxine disorders:
Thyroxine can cause infertility when it is not regulated properly. Rise in the thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or low thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) can affect the menstrual cycle or cause infertility. Hormonal imbalance has been a well-known cause of infertility.
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Fallopian tube damage or blockage:
Inflammation of the fallopian tubes called as salpingits can make them narrow and block them. This can result from pelvic inflammatory disease, which is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection, endometriosis or adhesions.
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Primary ovarian insufficiency:
Sometimes ovaries stop functioning early and menstruation ends before age 40 that is early menopause. Although the cause is often unknown, certain factors are associated with early menopause, including immune system diseases, certain genetic conditions such as Turner syndrome or carriers of Fragile X syndrome, radiation or chemotherapy treatment, and smoking.
Other causes in women include:
- Cancer and its treatment have been known to affect fertility. Cancers particularly of female reproductive organs often severely impair female fertility. Both radiation and chemotherapy may affect fertility.
- Medical conditions associated with delayed puberty
- Absence of menstruation (amenorrhea),
- Celiac disease
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Autoimmune diseases like lupus can affect woman’s fertility.
- Genetic abnormalities are also one of the causes.
Risk factors of infertility
Many of the risk factors for both male and female infertility are the same. They include:
- Age:Women’s fertility gradually declines with age. It typically falls in the mid 30s, and it drops rapidly after age 37. In older women the quality and the number of eggs affect fertility. Health problems that affect fertility are also often present. Men over age 40 may be less fertile than younger men.
- Tobacco use: Tobacco or marijuana smoking by both men and women reduces the likelihood of pregnancy. Smoking also affects the possible benefit of fertility treatment negatively. Miscarriages are more frequent in women who smoke. Smoking can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction and a low sperm count in men.
- Alcohol use. Avoid alcohol if you’re planning to become pregnant as it cannot be predetermined that what quantity of intake is safe or can cause problems. Alcohol use increases the risk of birth defects, and may contribute to infertility. For men, heavy alcohol use can decrease sperm count and motility.
- Being overweight: Inactive lifestyle, low physical activity and being overweight may increase the risk of infertility. A man’s sperm count may also be affected if he is overweight and physically inactive.
- Being underweight: Women at risk of fertility problems include those with eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, and women who follow a very low calorie or restrictive diet. Optimal nutrition is essential for balanced reproductive cycles in women. Nutritional deficiency can cause infertility or make it difficult to maintain the pregnancy.
Progenesis In the Media:
For more details,
Dr.Narahari Malagaonkar
Fertility Consultant
MD, DNB, FCPS, DFP ( Mumbai),
Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine (Singapore)
Contact@+919403932404,0253-2347721, E-Mail: drmalagaonkar@progenesisivf.com