10-15% of all couples are affected by infertility, which is defined as failure to conceive after at least a year of trying. After and examination and treatment, however, about two-thirds of these couples succeed in having children
What is infertility?
Infertility is the failure of a couple to conceive a pregnancy after they have tried for a full year without using any method of pregnancy prevention. This health problem can be caused by problems in either one or both of them. In about 30% of cases, the cause of the couple's infertility is due to problems in the man; in about 30% of cases, it is due to the woman; and in the remaining 40% of cases, there are fertility problems in both the man and the woman or the underlying cause is undetermined.
Which factors cause infertility?
The main factors are infections caused by a sexually transmitted disease, past infections of the female reproductive organs, past testicular or seminal tract infections, past ear infections in men, irregular or absent menstrual periods, endometriosis (a disease in which pieces of the tissue that makes up the inner lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus), congenital abnormalities of the uterus, chronic diseases, old age, smoking, alcohol, and drug addiction.
Causes of infertility in men:
- Poor sperm quality, for example because of a hereditary disease, infection or malformation
- Blocked seminal canals due to prostate rupture or surgery
- Impotence, for example caused by diabetes
- Antibodies to their own seminal fluid
- Hormonal deficiency, due to a tumour in the brain
Causes of infertility in women:
- Hormonal diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Turner syndrome (a genetic disorder in which the X chromosome is completely or partially absent)
- Endometriosis
- Extreme obesity or underweight
- Damaged fallopian tubes
- Early menopause
- Uterine myoma
Causes of infertility in both men and women:
- Cancer of the reproductive organs
- Ovarian or testicular tissue damage caused by chemotherapy
- Chromosomal abnormalities and inherited genetic diseases
- Stress
- Age
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
The most common cause of ovulation problems is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects 5-10% of all women of childbearing age. It is hereditary in origin and can lead to increased production of the male sex hormone testosterone and problems with insulin and blood sugar balance.
The disease manifests with multiple small cysts - immature follicles - in the ovaries, failed ovulation and irregular menstrual cycles. Polycystic ovary syndrome is treated with diet, exercise, weight loss and birth control pills. If a woman with this condition wants to conceive, medications and a hormone that stimulates the follicles can be used to stimulate follicle maturation in the ovaries and induce ovulation.
Endometriosis - a cause of pain and fertility problems
Another common cause of infertility is the chronic disease endometriosis, in which the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus itself, usually in the abdominal cavity. It often leads to blockage of the fallopian tubes and can affect the quality of the eggs. It can also cause severe pain during menstruation or intercourse. 10% of all women suffer from some degree of endometriosis.