Infertility

Infertility 

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to viability after at least 1 year of regular sexual intercourse with out contraception.

 

Primary infertility- is an inability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to viability with no previous history of pregnancy carried to alive birth.

 

Secondary infertility- is an inability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to alive birth following one or more successful pregnancies.

 

Although often used interchangeably the term infertility and sterility are not synonymous. Sterility denotes a total and irreversible inability to conceive. Broadly defined infertility includes the inability to carry a pregnancy to viability.

 

Causes of infertility

 

Female

 

·        Vaginal - abnormalities

 

-                  infectious

 

-                  highly acidic vaginal PH

 

 

·        Cervical - Hostile environment (insufficient oestrogen or infection)

 

-                  Incompetent cervix

 

-                  Hostile environmental for implantation and survival of blastocyst

 

·        Tubal

 

-                  Adhesions

 

-                  Scar tissue due to PID

 

-                  Endometriosis

 

·        Ovarian - an ovulation

 

-                  Irregular or infrequent ovulation

 

-                  Secretary dysfunction

 

-                  Inadequate luteal phase

 

 

Male

 

·        Anatomical abnormalities / congenital factor

 

·        Inadequate sperm production / Maturation

 

·        Varicose

 

·        Testicular inflammation

 

·        Heat exposure

 

·        Sexually transmitted disease

 

·        Radiation exposure

 

·        Stress

 

·        Certain drugs

 

·        Inadequate motility of sperm

 

·        Blockage of sperm in male reproductive tract

 

Diagnosis

 

·        History and physical examination

 

·        Semen analysis

 

·        The postcoital test

 

·        Basal body temperature recording

 

·        Serum progesterone test

 

·        Endometrial Biopsy

 

·        Hysterosalpingogram

 

·        Laparoscopy and culdoscopy

 

Treatment- On a diagnosis of the cause of the infertility, it hasbeen made to involve the male partner, the female partner, or both may be initiated.

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