Infertility is a serious medical and social issue affecting both women and men worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021, 48 million couples and 186 million single individuals are diagnosed with infertility. In Ukraine, the prevalence of infertility is comparable to that of developed countries, with an average of 12% of couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
Statistics show that the causes of infertility are:
- 30% due to female factors;
- 30% due to male factors;
- 30% due to combined factors;
- 10% due to unexplained reasons (both partners are physically healthy).
Thanks to the active development of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), nearly 50% of infertility cases can be resolved. Some patients require only medication or minor surgical intervention, while others may need various IVF programs.
What is Infertility?
Infertility is not a single disease but a consequence of various dysfunctions in the reproductive system or the body as a whole. Even individuals without chronic conditions or health complaints can face infertility. Conception may not occur even in the presence of mild or hidden illnesses.
Typically, the diagnosis of “infertility” is made if pregnancy does not occur within 12 months of regular sexual activity. For women over 35, it is recommended to consult a doctor and undergo examination earlier – after 6 months.
It is best to schedule a doctorʼs appointment together with your partner. Since the prevalence of male infertility is comparable to that of female infertility and diagnosis is often simpler, men are often the first to be examined.
Causes of Male Infertility
In men, the inability to conceive a child can be caused by:
- Developmental anomalies of the reproductive organs
- Groin injuries, including those sustained during childhood and adolescence
- Cryptorchidism, a condition where one or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotum and remain in the abdominal cavity
- Varicocele, a varicose enlargement of the veins within the spermatic cord
- Prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate gland
- Orchitis, an inflammation of the testicles
- Hidden infections of the genitourinary system
- Hormonal imbalances
- Genetic and autoimmune disorders
Additionally, harmful habits and a negative environmental context can increase the risk of infertility.
What Leads to Male Infertility
Additional factors contributing to male infertility include:
- Smoking, alcohol abuse, and drug use: Certain substances can affect testicular receptors and cause oxidative stress to sperm, reducing their quality
- Excess weight: A body mass index (BMI) over 30 can disrupt the production of testosterone and other male hormones
- Deficiency of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients in the daily diet: This can also lead to hormonal imbalances
- Sedentary work, wearing tight underwear and jeans, etc.: Compression and local temperature increase can disrupt the development and maturation of sperm
- Radiation exposure: This can affect sperm quality and even cause absolute infertility
- Age over 35: Fertility decreases due to natural age-related changes
Causes of Female Infertility
Female infertility can be caused by various diseases. Identifying the cause is crucial for selecting effective therapy. Therefore, when consulting a doctor, a wide range of examinations is typically prescribed. The most common factors include:
- Developmental anomalies of the reproductive organs
- Disorders in egg maturation and ovulation
- Narrowing of the fallopian tubes
- Pelvic adhesions
- Endometriosis and adenomyosis
- Endocrine system diseases
- Scarring of the cervical mucosa
- Tumors in the ovaries or uterus
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Immune or genetic disorders
- Psychological disorders
Types and Stages of Female Infertility
Infertility is primarily classified by the potential for conception. In cases where pathologies completely eliminate the chance of conception and carrying a pregnancy to term, it is referred to as absolute infertility. If there is a possibility that after treatment or IVF, a woman can give birth, it is considered relative infertility, which is the most common form.
Infertility is also defined as primary if the woman has never been pregnant, or secondary if she has children or has had a spontaneous abortion.
Based on the cause of infertility, it is categorized as:
- Tubal
- Uterine
- Cervical
- Endocrine
- Immune, etc.
Signs and Symptoms of Female Infertility
Infertility does not have specific symptoms. The only indication is the absence of pregnancy after a year of regular sexual intercourse. Many women feel completely normal and have no complaints.
However, it is important to remember that infertility can develop as a complication of various gynecological and endocrine disorders. They can manifest in a hidden form or cause the following symptoms:
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Scanty or abundant menstrual discharge
- Atypical daily vaginal discharge
- Lower abdominal pain
- Swelling of the mammary glands and lactation
- Enlargement of the thyroid gland
- Severe acne
- Excessive body hair growth
- Rapid changes in body weight
If these symptoms occur, it is essential to consult a doctor and undergo an examination.
Diagnosis of Infertility
If you have difficulties conceiving, it is necessary to schedule a consultation with a reproductive specialist. Doctors of this specialty deal with infertility issues.
For the diagnosis of female infertility, the following examinations may be necessary:
- Gynecological examination
- Bacteriological analysis of a smear
- Pap smear
- Blood tests
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs, thyroid, mammary glands, and other examinations as indicated
For men, a sperm analysis is primarily prescribed to assess the quality of sperm. If more than two parameters do not meet the norm, additional examinations are prescribed:
- Analysis of urogenital secretions
- Blood tests
- Ultrasound, etc.
The number and sequence of examinations are determined individually by the doctor.
Treatment Methods
The method of treating infertility depends directly on the cause that caused it. Patients may be prescribed:
- Drug therapy
- Surgical intervention
- Intrauterine insemination
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies (ART)
Reproductive medicine has a wide range of technologies for the treatment and overcoming of infertility, which often allows coping even with severe forms.
Are there methods for preventing infertility
To date, there are no specific methods for preventing infertility, as it is a secondary disease. However, to reduce the risk of pathologies that can lead to conception problems, women and men are advised to:
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Quit smoking and other harmful habits
- Regularly engage in moderate-intensity physical activity
- Maintain a normal body weight
- Use barrier methods of contraception
- Undergo annual examinations by a gynecologist or urologist, respectively
When planning a pregnancy, it is advisable to consult specialists and undergo a comprehensive examination. This will help to exclude or timely detect diseases that cause infertility or the risk of complications during pregnancy.
Infertility is a complex problem, but it is successfully treated in half of cases. When diagnosed, do not despair – the main thing is to find a good reproductive specialist.
ICSI Clinic is a specialized center for reproductive medicine. The team of doctors assembled there is considered one of the best in Ukraine. Many specialists have been working at the clinic since its opening in 1998 and are involved in both practical and scientific activities.
Trust your health only to professionals!
To make an appointment, call us or fill out the application on the website. Our doctors can conduct the first consultation even online.