Hello, Today we will talk about why many women / men experience infertility. Many couples divorce because the woman is not pregnant or the man is not able to get pregnant. There are also couples that, instead of separating, they choose to adopt a child. In this topic we will know why many are infertile and how to avoid it.
What is Infertility?
A diagnosis of infertility means you haven’t been able to get pregnant after a year of trying. If you’re a woman over 35, it means you haven’t been able to get pregnant after 6 months of trying.
Women who are able to conceive but not carry a pregnancy to term may also be diagnosed with infertility.
A woman who’s never been able to get pregnant will be diagnosed with primary infertility. A woman who’s had at least one successful pregnancy in the past will be diagnosed with secondary infertility.
Infertility isn’t just a woman’s problem. Men can be infertile too. In fact, men and women are equally likely to have fertility problems.
According to the Office on Women’s Health Trusted Source, about one-third of infertility cases can be attributed to female infertility while men’s problems account for another third of infertility cases.
The remaining third of cases may be caused by a combination of male and female infertility, or they may have no known cause.
Most cases of infertility in women result from problems with producing eggs. In primary ovarian insufficiency, the ovaries stop functioning before natural menopause. In polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the ovaries may not release an egg regularly or they may not release a healthy egg.
In women, a number of factors can disrupt this process at any step. Female infertility is caused by one or more of the factors below.
Ovulation disorders
Ovulation disorders, meaning you ovulate infrequently or not at all, account for infertility in about 1 in 4 infertile couples. Problems with the regulation of reproductive hormones by the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland, or problems in the ovary, can cause ovulation disorders.
-Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
-Hypothalamic dysfunction.
-Premature ovarian failure.
-Too much prolactin.
Damage to fallopian tubes (tubal infertility)
Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes keep sperm from getting to the egg or block the passage of the fertilized egg into the uterus. Causes of fallopian tube damage or blockage can include:
-Pelvic inflammatory disease.
-Previous surgery in the abdomen or pelvis
-Pelvic tuberculosis
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when tissue that normally grows in the uterus implants and grows in other locations. This extra tissue growth — and the surgical removal of it — can cause scarring, which may block fallopian tubes and keep an egg and sperm from uniting.
Endometriosis can also affect the lining of the uterus, disrupting implantation of the fertilized egg. The condition also seems to affect fertility in less-direct ways, such as damage to the sperm or egg.
Risk factors
Certain factors may put you at higher risk of infertility, including:
Age. The quality and quantity of a woman's eggs begin to decline with increasing age. In the mid-30s, the rate of follicle loss speeds, resulting in fewer and poorer quality eggs. This makes conception more difficult, and increases the risk of miscarriage.
Smoking. Besides damaging your cervix and fallopian tubes, smoking increases your risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. It's also thought to age your ovaries and deplete your eggs prematurely. Stop smoking before beginning fertility treatment.
Weight. Being overweight or significantly underweight may affect normal ovulation. Getting to a healthy body mass index (BMI) may increase the frequency of ovulation and likelihood of pregnancy.
Sexual history. Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can damage the fallopian tubes. Having unprotected intercourse with multiple partners increases your risk of a sexually transmitted infection that may cause fertility problems later.
Alcohol. Stick to moderate alcohol consumption of no more than one alcoholic drink per day.
Prevention
For women thinking about getting pregnant soon or in the future, these tips may help optimize fertility:
-Maintain a normal weight.
-Quit smoking.
-Avoid alcohol.
-Reduce stress.
-Limit caffeine.
(MALE INFERTILITY)
The main sign of male infertility is the inability to conceive a child. There may be no other obvious signs or symptoms.
In some cases, however, an underlying problem such as an inherited disorder, hormonal imbalance, dilated veins around the testicle or a condition that blocks the passage of sperm causes signs and symptoms. Signs and symptoms you may notice include:
Problems with sexual function — for example, difficulty with ejaculation or small volumes of fluid ejaculated, reduced sexual desire, or difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
Pain, swelling or a lump in the testicle area
Recurrent respiratory infections
Inability to smell
Abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia)
Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of a chromosomal or hormonal abnormality
A lower than normal sperm count (fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or a total sperm count of less than 39 million per ejaculate)
Medical causes
Problems with male fertility can be caused by a number of health issues and medical treatments:
-Varicocele
-Infection
-Ejaculation issues.
-Antibodies that attack sperm.
-Tumors
-Undescended testicles.
-Hormone imbalances.
-Defects of tubules that transport sperm.
-Chromosome defects
-Problems with sexual intercourse.
-Celiac disease.
-Certain medications.
-Prior surgeries.
Environmental causes
Overexposure to certain environmental elements such as heat, toxins and chemicals can reduce sperm production or sperm function. Specific causes include:
-Industrial chemicals.
-Heavy metal exposure.
-Radiation or X-rays.
-Overheating the testicles.
Risk factors
Risk factors linked to male infertility include:
-Smoking tobacco
-Using alcohol
-Using certain illicit drugs
-Being overweight
-Having certain past or present infections
-Being exposed to toxins
-Overheating the testicles
-Having experienced trauma to the testicles
-Having a prior vasectomy or major abdominal or pelvic surgery
-Having a history of undescended testicles
-Being born with a fertility disorder or having a blood relative with a fertility disorder
-Having certain medical conditions, including tumors and chronic illnesses, such as sickle cell disease
-Taking certain medications or undergoing medical treatments, such as surgery or radiation used for treating cancer
Complications
Complications of male infertility can include:
Stress and relationship difficulties related to the inability to have a child
Expensive and involved reproductive techniques
Increased risk of testicular cancer, melanoma, colon cancer and prostate cancer
Prevention
Male infertility isn't always preventable. However, you can try to avoid some known causes of male infertility. For example:
✓Don't smoke.
✓Limit or abstain from alcohol.
✓Steer clear of illicit drugs.
✓Maintain a healthy weight.
✓Don't get a vasectomy.
✓Avoid things that lead to prolonged heat for the testicles.
✓Reduce stress.
✓Avoid exposure to pesticides, heavy metals and other toxins.
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I hope you liked it and learned something from my topic. I just want to say that everything there is based on what i read. Take time to read and be aware.
Thank you for spreading awareness about this issues, it helps a lot to prevent future events.