Infertility can be described as the failure to conceive after a year of unprotected regular sexual intercourse. There are many reasons for infertility brought about by factors that are either natural or man-made. The man-made causes are easier to reverse while the natural ones are a bit difficult to cure. To be able to examine the reasons for infertility we need to analysis their effect separately in males and females.
Reasons for Infertility in Women
i) Ovulatory disorders; this forms one of the most common reason affecting 30-50% of all infertile women. Due to the complexity and sensitivity of the ovulation cycle any slight change may disrupt and prevent normal ovulation. The ovulatory disorders are cause by hormone imbalances in the body resulting from lack of enough hormones, excess hormones or secretion of hormones at the wrong time. The hormonal imbalance is caused by the breakdown of communication between the hypothalamus in the brain and the pituitary glands that secrete the hormones. Most stray ovulation behavior has been linked to being underweight or overweight and abrupt changes in weight.
ii) Age; as women grow older and approach their reproductive twilight-menopause, their fertility goes downhill. This is evident as their sexual urges decrease and body weakens making them experience hardships in conceiving and holding a pregnancy.
iii) Anatomical complications; These include the following;
a) Blocked fallopian tubes; the fallopian tubes can be blocked due to past infections such as the pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or errant abdominal surgery that caused the scarring and damaging of the fallopian tube. Unblocking the fallopian tubes entails the use of surgery.
b) Cervical mucus disorders; the mucus changes in body, elasticity, pH and the antibody content. The mucus body, texture and elasticity affect the ability of the sperm to reach the egg while hostile pH levels and antibodies kill the sperms before the fertilization takes place. To correct this disorder intra-uterine insemination (IUI) is used where the sperm is directly introduced into the uterus without having to cross the cervical mucus on its own.
c) Endometriosis; this is the condition of the uterine cavity cells implanting in other areas such as the ovaries and the pelvic organs. Endometriosis is eradicated through prescribed medication and surgery.
d) Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); this is the formation of cyst in the ovaries due to irregular hormonal levels. Its correction depends on the specific individual case at hand.
e) Cancer treatments; chemotherapy and radiation both which forms the cancer treatment may affect your fertility depending on the organ, drug and dosage used.
iv) Lifestyle factors; habits such as over eating or starving affect your BMI. Anyone below the BMI of 16 and over 30 risks miscarriages or irregular menstrual cycle. Alcohol and cigarette consumption lowers the fertility level in women by causing cervical cancer, tubal pregnancies and pelvic infections.
Reasons for Infertility in Men
i) Sperm Problems; There are several factors that determine whether the sperms succeed in fertilizing the ova namely;
- Sperm count or number of sperm released to the vagina in an ejaculation.
- Sperm motility or ability to move through the cervical mucus
- Sperm size and shape, or health
Causes of Sperm Problems
a) Age; as men pass 35 years of age their fertility gradually declines. The sperm quality and motility fall making men over 40 years have fertilization rate of below 60%.
b) Immunological disorders; this disorders may resulting in the body repelling the sperms; the antibodies mistakably senses the sperms as foreign bodies hence kill them.
c) Cancer treatments; any chemotherapy or radiation treatment near the genital area may cause infertility.
d) Sexually transmitted disease; most STI’s damage the reproductive tract hardening the movement of the sperm to the ovum.
ii) Medications, Lifestyle and Environment Factors
a) High temperatures; excess exposure to high heat such hot baths, steam baths, tight clothing result to lowered sperm count in men.
b) Occupational hazards; the exposure to pesticides, radiation, X-rays, electromagnetic and microwave emissions may result into sperm disorders.
c) Diseases, drug use and medication; diabetes, mental and pituitary diseases decrease the man’s fertility in addition to alcohol, smoking and hard drugs. These substances lead to high blood pressure and cardiac illnesses.
d) Lubricants; lubricants such as the Vaseline jelly and vaginal creams used during sexual activities may affect the fertility rate of men.
e) Scrotal varicocele; this is the vein around the scrotum which hinders sperm production.
f) Retrograde ejaculation; this is the reverse ejaculation where the sperms are released backwards.
g) Un-descended testis; the testis fail to enable the sperms to reach the scrotum.
h) Erectile dysfunction (ED); this is the inability to hold an erection during a sexual intercourse. Without and erection there is no sex!
