Male Infertility
What is Male Infertility?
Male Infertility refers to a condition in which a man is unable to produce enough sperm in general or produces sperm that is not capable of fertilizing an egg. It can occur in two conditions:
- Primary condition- The man has never been able to father a child
- Secondary condition- He was once able to father a child but is not able to do it now.
When should you check for infertility?
If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for over a year without any results, it’s recommended to consult with a fertility specialist. You and your partner both have to get your fertility assessed and then the consultant will recommend appropriate treatments.
How Common is the Infertility of Male Partners?
Male infertility is a significant contributor to infertility in couples. Approximately 30% of infertility cases involve common factors such as low sperm count, poor sperm motility, and abnormal sperm morphology.
Which Males are more likely to have Male Infertility Problems?
Several factors can increase a man's risk of infertility, including:
- Age: Older men are more likely to experience fertility issues due to a decline in sperm quality and quantity.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as infections, hormonal imbalances, and genetic disorders, can affect fertility.
- Lifestyle factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, and exposure to toxins can negatively impact sperm health.
- Previous surgeries: Surgeries in the genital area, such as vasectomy reversal or testicular trauma, can affect fertility.
How is the Male Factor Infertility Assessment done?
A fertility evaluation for men typically involves:
- Semen analysis: This test assesses the sperm's count, motility, morphology, and volume.
- Hormone testing: Blood tests may be conducted to measure hormone levels, such as testosterone.
- Genetic testing: In some cases, genetic testing may be recommended to identify underlying genetic causes of infert
- Physical examination: A doctor may examine the genitals and reproductive organs to identify any abnormalities.
The treatment for male infertility will depend on the underlying cause. Possible options include:
- Lifestyle changes: Modifying unhealthy habits, such as quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption, can improve sperm quality.
- Medical treatments: Medications may be used to address hormonal imbalances or infections.
- Surgical interventions: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to solve abnormalities or improve sperm production.
- Assisted reproductive technologies (ART): Techniques like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be considered if other treatments are unsuccessful.
If you're experiencing infertility, don't hesitate to seek help from us. We, at Pratiksha are here to provide a proper diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for you.
Female Infertility
What is Female Infertility?
Female infertility is a condition where a woman is unable to become pregnant despite having regular unprotected intercourse for or over a period of 1 year. This condition can be classified into two types.
Primary condition- The woman has never been able to conceive.
Secondary condition- She was once able to conceive but is currently unable to.
Causes of Female Infertility
- Ovulation issues: Problems with ovulation, such as irregular or absent menstrual cycles, can prevent pregnancy.
- Fallopian tube issues: Blockages or damage to the fallopian tubes can interfere with the journey of the egg to the uterus.
- Uterine factors: Conditions like uterine fibroids or polyps can affect fertility.
- Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus can cause infertility.
- Pelvic infections: Infections in the reproductive organs can damage the fallopian tubes or uterus.
- Hormonal imbalances: Hormonal issues can affect ovulation or the uterine lining.
- Genetic factors: In some cases, genetic conditions can contribute to infertility.
- Age: Fertility naturally declines with age, especially after the age of 35.
Risk Factors for Female Infertility
Several factors can increase a woman's risk of infertility, including:
- Age: As mentioned, older women are more likely to experience infertility.
- Smoking: Smoking can damage the reproductive system and reduce fertility.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Heavy drinking can interfere with ovulation and hormone levels.
- Obesity or being underweight: Both extremes can affect fertility.
- Certain medical conditions: Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and sexually transmitted infections can increase the risk of infertility.
- Previous pelvic surgery: Surgeries in the pelvic area can damage the reproductive organs.
- Exposure to toxins: Exposure to certain chemicals or environmental toxins can affect fertility.
- Stress: Chronic stress can disrupt the menstrual cycle and hormone levels
Tests for Female Infertility
A fertility evaluation for women typically involves:
- Medical history: A doctor will review your medical history and ask about your menstrual cycles, sexual history, and any symptoms.
- Physical examination: A pelvic exam may be conducted to check for any abnormalities.
- Ovulation testing: This can be done through blood tests, urine tests, or ultrasound scans.
- Fallopian tube testing: A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) can be used to check for blockages in the fallopian tubes.
- Uterine evaluation: Ultrasound or a hysteroscopy can be used to examine the uterus for any abnormalities.
- Hormone testing: Blood tests may be conducted to measure hormone levels.
Treatment for Female Infertility
The treatment for female infertility will depend on the underlying cause. Possible options include:
- Lifestyle changes: Modifying unhealthy habits, such as quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption, can improve fertility.
- Medication: Medications may be used to address hormonal imbalances, ovulation issues, or endometriosis.
- Surgery: Surgery may be necessary to correct abnormalities, remove uterine fibroids, or treat endometriosis.
- Assisted reproductive technologies (ART): Techniques like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be considered if other treatments are unsuccessful.
If you're experiencing infertility, it's important to seek help from a fertility specialist. At Pratiksha we provide expert care with a supportive environment.
Infertility Issues
Infertility Overview
Infertility is a condition where a woman or couple is unable to conceive and have a child despite having regular unprotected sex for or over a time period of 1 year. It can be caused by various factors, including male infertility, female infertility, or a combination of both.
Female Infertility Causes
- Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus.
- Premature Ovarian Failure: When a woman's ovaries stop functioning before the age of 40.
- Ovarian Cysts: Fluid-filled sacs that form in or on the ovaries.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A hormonal disorder that affects ovulation.
- Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD): A less severe form of PCOS.
- Irregular Periods: This can be a sign of underlying fertility issues.
- Blocked Fallopian Tubes: Can prevent the egg from reaching the uterus.
- Uterine Fibroids: Non-cancerous growths in the uterus.
- Adenomyosis: A condition where the uterine lining tissue grows into the muscle wall of the uterus.
These are just some of the possible causes of female infertility. There may be other factors involved, and it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis.