Many couples suffer from infertility, and it is said that 35% of couples, or about 1 out of 2.9 couples, have experienced infertility . Some women who want to conceive may be wondering if they are infertile. Therefore, in this article, we will explain the causes of infertility and the types that are prone to infertility. If you are worried about whether you are infertile, please check whether you are prone to infertility. In addition, we will introduce measures for infertility that can be done in everyday life, so let's be conscious and practice.
Find out in this article
- Infertility Overview
- causes of infertility
- Infertility prone type
- Treatment methods and countermeasures for infertility
What is infertility
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive for a year or more despite having sexual intercourse. It is said that about 1 in 10 pairs of men and women suffer from infertility, but in recent years, the number of people who are thinking about becoming pregnant is getting older, and it is believed that the actual number of people who suffer from infertility is much higher. If infertility is left untreated, treatment may become less effective over time, so if you suspect you may be infertile, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
causes of infertility
If the cause of infertility is on the female side, it can be divided into five main categories:
- Ovulation factor: Ovulation does not occur due to hormonal imbalance, extreme obesity, etc.
- Fallopian tube factor: Inability to fertilize because the fallopian tubes are blocked by an infection or other disorder
- Cervical factor: cervical mucus (discharge) is too thin or too sticky for sperm to enter the uterus
- Immune factor: Because it has anti-sperm antibodies, it attacks sperm in the fallopian tubes and cervix
- Uterine factor: A fertilized egg cannot be implanted due to the shape of the uterus or diseases such as fibroids and polyps.
- Identifying the cause is an important point in treating infertility, so it is important to have an examination early to identify the cause.
What type of infertility is likely?
What are the characteristics of women who are prone to infertility? In this chapter, I will explain the types that are likely to cause infertility. If you are a woman who is worried about infertility, please refer to it.
have abnormal menstruation
Women with irregular menstruation are more likely to become infertile. Menstrual disorders include symptoms such as:
- Extremely long or short menstrual cycles
- Extremely heavy or light menstrual flow
- Extremely long or short menstrual periods
- As a result, it may be difficult to conceive, so women with menstrual irregularities should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Abnormal basal body temperature
If there is an abnormality in the basal body temperature, it may lead to infertility, so be careful. When ovulation is occurring normally, the basal body temperature repeats a low temperature period and a high temperature period in a constant cycle. When this cycle is disturbed, there is a possibility that something is wrong with the body. However, basal body temperature can be disturbed by lifestyle habits and stress, so there is no problem if it is disturbed for a few days. However, if the high temperature period does not come, it is possible that ovulation has not occurred, so please consult a doctor as soon as possible.
have had a sexually transmitted disease
If you have had sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea or chlamydia in the past, you may be infertile. If left untreated, gonorrhea and chlamydia can spread to the cervix and fallopian tubes, causing inflammation and adhesions that can lead to infertility. Also, even if you do get pregnant, it is possible to have an ectopic pregnancy, so be careful. STDs increase the risk of infertility not only for women, but also for men. Women may not show any particular symptoms, so if you are concerned, it would be a good idea to check your history of sexually transmitted infections.
have had pelvic peritonitis
People with a history of pelvic peritonitis are more likely to become infertile. Pelvic peritonitis is a disease peculiar to women that causes inflammation of the lower abdomen, such as the bladder, uterus, and fallopian tubes. Some cases are caused by sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, and symptoms such as tenderness in and around the uterus, painful intercourse, and irregular bleeding appear. Pelvic peritonitis can cause blockage or adhesions in the fallopian tubes , resulting in infertility. If you have a history of pelvic peritonitis in the past, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
Have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids or endometriosis
Women who have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids or endometriosis can also become infertile. If there is uterine fibroids, depending on where the fibroids are formed, they may interfere with the movement of sperm in the uterus and the implantation of a fertilized egg. Also, endometriosis, especially if you have chocolate cysts, can reduce ovarian reserve. About 30% of endometriosis patients who wish to become pregnant are infertile, so it is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
have had lower abdominal surgery
Infertility is also likely to occur if you have cecum (appendicitis) or pleurisy, or if you have had a caesarean section or ectopic pregnancy in the past and have had a laparotomy. After-effects of surgery can lead to adhesions or blockage of the fallopian tubes , which can lead to infertility. If you have had laparotomy in the past (especially in the lower abdomen), it is recommended to check the condition of the fallopian tubes for adhesions or blockages by salpingography.
have a smoking habit
Lifestyle habits also affect the likelihood of conception, and it is said that people with a smoking habit are especially prone to infertility . Smoking is thought to damage the ovaries, reduce egg quality, and increase the risk of miscarriage. 2) Smoking increases the risk of infertility not only in women. Smoking in men can also lead to infertility because it reduces sperm quality. It is very important for both men and women to quit smoking if they want to conceive. 1)
have or have a history of chronic illness
Women who have had or currently have chronic conditions are also at risk of infertility. Chronic diseases include, for example, endometriosis . In addition, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, and obesity are thought to cause ovulation disorders and lead to infertility, so caution is required. Even if you do not have any subjective symptoms, there are cases where infertility can be affected, so if you wish to become pregnant, consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Even if the cause is male
Infertility can be caused not only by women, but also by men. 48% of infertility cases are attributed to men . The following types of people are more likely to be infertile in men: A person who has had mumps since becoming an adult and has swollen testicles A person who has felt pain in the testicles due to a continuous high fever A person whose testicles are small or smaller than when they were children A person who has many blood vessels on the surface of the testicular bag A person who has had an inguinal hernia operation as a child A person who has a disturbed lifestyle A person who is obese A person who smokes
Infertility test method
Common infertility tests women undergo are transvaginal ultrasound, hysterosalpingography, and blood tests. Transvaginal ultrasonography confirms the presence and condition of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and ovarian cysts. In addition, when treating infertility, it is also possible to observe the size of the follicles with ultrasound and predict the ovulation date. A hysterosalpingography examination examines the shape of the uterus and the condition of the fallopian tubes, and a blood test examines hormone levels. In addition, MRI may be performed to check the condition of the uterus and ovaries in detail, and laparoscopy and hysteroscopy may be performed to check the condition of the pelvic organs such as the uterus and ovaries.
How to treat infertility
Here are some ways to treat infertility:
- Timing method: A treatment method in which sexual intercourse is performed according to ovulation Ovulation induction method: A treatment method that stimulates the ovaries and causes ovulation by injection or oral medicine
- Endoscopic surgery: A method that removes polyps and fibroids in the uterus and removes blocked fallopian tubes to increase the chances of a natural pregnancy.
- Artificial insemination: A treatment method in which mature sperm are recovered from the collected semen and injected into the uterus at the time of ovulation.
- Assisted reproductive medicine: In vitro fertilization or micro-insemination, in which eggs are removed and fertilized outside the body, and is the method of choice in the case of intractable infertility.
Do-it-yourself infertility measures
There are some infertility measures that you can do yourself.
- improvement of lifestyle
- reduce stress
- Cold sensitivity measures
improvement of lifestyle
Improving lifestyle habits, such as a well-balanced diet, moderate exercise, regular life rhythm and getting enough sleep, are very important points for infertility measures. If you eat an unbalanced diet or lack of sleep, your hormone balance may be disturbed and ovulation may become unstable. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can also make it difficult to conceive, so avoid them if you want to conceive.
reduce stress
Reducing stress is very important as a measure against infertility. When the balance of the autonomic nervous system collapses due to stress, the secretion of hormones decreases. As a result, ovulation disorders may occur, so try not to accumulate stress as much as possible. When performing infertility treatment, you may feel stress when the treatment does not go well or when you hear the words of those around you. Try to get enough rest, enjoy your hobbies, and make time to do what you like to relieve stress.
Cold sensitivity measures
Many women suffer from sensitivity to cold, but be aware that the coldness of the body may adversely affect infertility. When the body is cold, blood flow deteriorates, which may cause uterine and ovarian dysfunction. Also, the cold has a bad effect on the fetus, so you have to be careful even after pregnancy. In order to aim for a body that is easy to get pregnant, please be conscious not to cool your body. Here are some recommendations for cold weather.
- soak in a bathtub
- exercise
- drink hot drinks
- Take Chinese herbal medicine to improve sensitivity to cold
summary
Infertility is the inability to conceive for a period of time despite having sexual intercourse. People who have abnormal menstruation or basal body temperature, or who have a history of sexually transmitted diseases, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, etc. are said to be susceptible to infertility, so please consult a doctor as soon as possible. If you wish to become pregnant in the future, please be aware of infertility measures in your daily life. Try to create a body that is easy to get pregnant by improving your lifestyle and avoiding stress.
References
1) Sharma Ret al. Cigarette Smoking and Semen Quality: A New Meta-analysis Examining the Effect of the 2010 World Health Organization Laboratory Methods for the Examination of Human Semen. 2016.
2) Fenton AJ. Premature ovarian insufficiency: Pathogenesis and management. 2015
