Infertility

Overview

Infertility is when a couple is unable to conceive after 1 to 2 years with regular unprotected sexual intercourse, every 2 to 3 days. It can be either primary where there is no pregnancy previously or secondary where there was previous pregnancy or conceptions.

Signs and Symptoms

Not getting pregnant, Women having menstrual problems, Men having testicular or sexual problems

Common Causes

Anovulation in female, Tubal blockage in female, Pelvic endometriosis in female, Uterine fibroid in female, Polycystic ovarian syndrome in female, Vas deferens blockage in male, Ejaculatory dysfunction in male, Varicocele in male, Undescended testis in male, Hypogonadism in male, Radiation exposure

Risk Factors

Increasing age, Smoking cigarettes, Alcohol abuse, Overweight or obese, Exposure to toxins and heavy metals, Sexually transmitted infections, Medical condition, Certain medications, Radiation exposure, Traumatic injury to the reproductive organs

Investigation Techniques

Physical examination, Ultrasound, Test for ovulation for females, Hysterosalpingogram in females, Laparoscopy and dye insufflation in females, Semen analysis for males

Treatment and Prevention

Ovarian induction with clomifene citrate, Laparoscopic ovarian drilling, Intrauterine insemination (IUI), Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), In vitro fertilization (IVF), Surgical sperm retrieval, Treating the underlying medical or surgical conditions

Psychological Issues

Stress