MALE AND FEMALE INFERTILITY - CAUSES

28 December 20213′ read4 sections

CONTENTS

Male infertility
Female infertility
Endometriosis
Problems with the cervix

Infertility is defined as a couple's inability to achieve a pregnancy after trying for at least one year.

About 40% of infertility cases are due to a problem with the man's sperm. Roughly another 40% of the causes of infertility are due to a problem in the woman. Some of these causes include ovulation problems, problems with the fallopian tubes, problems with the cervix and endometriosis. About 20% of infertility cases are due to problems in both the man and the woman, or to an unknown cause.

Male infertility

Infertility problems in men may be due to problems with their sperm. Some men may have a low sperm count or low motility, while some sperm may have abnormalities in their morphology. An abnormal semen volume can also reduce the chances of successful fertilisation.

There are many conditions that can adversely affect your sperm, such as having only one testicle, testicles that are smaller than normal, or unusually large veins (varicocele) in the testicles. There are also factors that can affect sperm production (spermatogenesis), including exposure to various toxins, alcohol abuse, drug use, the use of anabolic steroids, diabetes and thyroid problems or other endocrine disorders. There are treatments that can help with male infertility. A Reproductive Medicine Specialist may be able to improve your sperm motility by administering small doses of testosterone. Varicoceles can be removed surgically. There is also a procedure called intrauterine insemination (IUI) that may help. Intrauterine insemination is the direct placement of sperm into the inner cavity of the uterus (endometrium); it aims to increase the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes and thereby assists the fertilisation of the eggs.

Female infertility

Ovulation problems account for most cases of female infertility. If there are problems with ovulation, there may be no eggs available for fertilisation. Thyroid and pituitary problems can be responsible for ovulation problems.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis can lead to pelvic adhesions. Pelvic adhesions are bands of fibrous tissue (scarring) that prevent sperm from reaching the egg or interfere with fertilisation. Pelvic adhesions can also block a fallopian tube. Hysterosalpingography is an X-ray examination that can show whether a fallopian tube is blocked. This examination gives an excellent view of both the uterine cavity and the fallopian tubes, and in most cases provides immediate and meaningful answers about the causes of female infertility.

There are also medications that can treat endometriosis. In addition, surgery may be needed if there is a blockage caused by pelvic adhesions.

Problems with the cervix

Problems with the cervix can also cause infertility. The cervix produces mucus, which helps transport sperm into the uterus. Occasionally the mucus is too thick and prevents sperm from entering the uterus. In some cases there is less mucus because of an injury that has reduced the number of glands in the cervix. Also, if surgery or an infection has caused scarring of the cervix, the cervical opening may become narrower, which makes it harder for sperm to enter.

If you have any questions about male and female infertility, call us on (+30) 2310 277 032 to book an appointment at the "Alexandros Traianos Centre for Reproductive Medicine & Fetal Medicine", located at 2 Patriarchou Ioakeim, Thessaloniki.

*The content of this blog is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have about medical conditions.

TAGSmale infertilityfemale infertilityintrauterine inseminationendometriosisovulation problemsinfertility

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

Male infertility

Female infertility

Endometriosis

Problems with the cervix

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?