Fertility Problems

Female fertility problems

Problems with ovulation

Hormones control ovulation. If, for any reason, your hormone levels are disturbed, ovulation can be affected. A sign of possible ovulation problems is irregular periods. You may find that you are ovulating, but not every cycle.
Factors affecting ovulation include dramatic changes in weight, emotional problems, stress, strenuous exercise, illness and recently stopping hormonal contraceptives.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can be another cause of ovulation problems. This is when you have lots of small cysts on your ovaries and hormone imbalances. The cysts aren’t harmful; they occur when eggs have started to develop, but aren’t actually released. Your doctor will be able to diagnose PCOS through a blood test.
There are treatments that your doctor can explain to you to ‘kick start’ ovulation, but the treatment depends on your unique situation.

Problems with Fallopian tubes

If there is a blockage in the Fallopian tubes this can prevent the sperm getting to the egg. The most common cause of a blocked Fallopian tube is chlamydia infection that has been left untreated. For most women, they will have been completely unaware that they had chlamydia infection, because very often, the infection does not have any symptoms.
If your doctor confirms a Fallopian tube blockage, and it is quite close to your womb, you may be able to have surgery to remove the blockage. Whether or not you can have surgery depends on your situation, and your doctor will recommend the best course of action for you.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is when tissue that lines the womb is found outside of the womb. It is thought that the tissue obstructs the movement of the egg down the Fallopian tubes, but it is not clear if endometriosis prevents fertilisation in any other way. Endometriosis is often associated with heavy and/or very painful periods.
Endometriosis can be treated by medication or removing the extra tissue, but your doctor will be able to tell you more about the treatments available.

Mucus Disorders

In some women, antibodies present in the cervical mucus can be hostile to their partner's sperm, killing them before they are able to get to the womb. By using condoms when you have sex for 6 to 9 months, your body should stop producing antibodies and the chances of conception will be increased before the antibodies build up to harmful levels again.

Age

Your fertility is affected by your age. Peak fertility for most women is reached in their late teens and starts to decline in their late twenties. After the age of 35, female fertility starts to decline more quickly, until the menopause is reached.

Medication

Always check with your doctor that any medication you are taking, for whatever reason, will not reduce your fertility or potentially harm your baby if you do get pregnant.

Fibroids (Adenomysos)

Fibroids are abnormal growths of muscular tissue in the womb that can block the Fallopian tubes or hinder a fertilised egg implanting in the lining of the womb. Fibroids can be removed.

Male fertility problems

The main cause of male fertility problems is a low sperm count, which means that there are not as many sperm as there could be, so reducing the chances of a sperm fertilising an egg. Heat is a factor that can lead to low sperm count, because it reduces sperm production. So men should avoid soaking in hot baths, wearing tight underwear, or sitting down for long periods of time, to avoid their testicles getting too hot. Alcohol, caffeine, smoking and illegal drugs can all contribute to a reduction in sperm count and reduce sperm motility, which is how well the sperm ‘swim’.
Other causes of infertility (less common than a low sperm count) include a blockage in the tube that carries sperm from the testicles, a genetic cause, or a hormone problem.

Impotence

If the man has trouble gaining or maintaining an erection for physical or psychological reasons during sex, this will reduce his ability to have sex.

Medication

As with female fertility, it is important to make sure that any medication the man is taking will not affect his sperm production.

Unexplained infertility

This is defined as infertility without a known cause, when tests are normal and a couple has been trying for a pregnancy for more than two years. Although everything seems to be in perfect working order with a couple, the woman is not able to get pregnant. This can be very frustrating and upsetting for a couple, because there is nothing to focus on that can be rectified or treated. It is estimated that in around one third of couples with unexplained infertility the woman will get pregnant without intervention within 3 years, although some couples do eventually try assisted reproduction treatment e.g. in-vitro fertilisation (IVF).

Article from http://www.clearblue.info

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