“Infertility” is a feared situation for every couple who want to have children. Often approximately 25% of all women face infertility at any time in their lives. So, what is infertility? Causes, symptoms, and treatment of infertility.
The cause of infertility may belong to either a woman or a man, and despite all the researches in the 10-15 percent patient group, there is still no reason to be found.
“Women can have a variety of causes of infertility. If there is no physical disability, the 20s is the best time to get pregnant biologically. While women in their 20s usually have good egg quality, fertility problems may occur due to other reasons such as tube problems or low sperm count in their partner. At this age, maintaining the ideal weight range, having a healthy eating system, reducing alcohol and caffeine, and not smoking help the expectant mother to reach her optimal health conditions before conception. ”
REASONS FOR INTERPRETATION IN MEN
These may include:
- Abnormal sperm production or function related to testicles, genetic disorders, health problems such as diabetes or infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, mumps, or HIV.
- Enlarged veins (varicocele) in the testicles can also affect sperm quality.
- Problems with sperm delivery due to sexual problems such as premature ejaculation; some genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis; structural problems such as a blockage in the testicle; or damage or injury to the reproductive organs.
- Overexposure to certain environmental factors such as pesticides and other chemicals and radiation.
Smoking can also affect fertility by taking certain medications, such as alcohol, antibiotics, antihypertensives, anabolic steroids, or others.
Frequent exposure to heat, such as saunas or hot tubs, can increase core body temperature and affect sperm production.
Cancer and its treatment-related damage, including radiation or chemotherapy. Cancer treatment can sometimes seriously disrupt sperm production.
THE CAUSES OF INVOLVEMENT IN WOMEN
Among the causes of female infertility can be:
- Ovulation disorders that affect the release of eggs from the ovaries. These include hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovarian syndrome. Hyperprolactinemia, too much prolactin (the hormone that stimulates breast milk production) can also inhibit ovulation. Too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism) can affect the menstrual cycle or cause infertility. The underlying causes may include excessive exercise, eating disorders, injury, or tumors.
- Uterine or cervical abnormalities, including the opening of the cervix, polyps in the uterus or the shape of the uterus. Non-uterine (benign) tumors (uterine fibroids) in the uterine wall can rarely cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes. More often, fibroids prevent implantation of the fertilized egg.
- Fallopian tube damage or blockage is often caused by inflammation of the fallopian tube (salpingitis). This can often be caused by a sexually transmitted infection, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease caused by adhesions.
- Endometriosis, which occurs if the endometrium tissue grows outside the uterus, can affect the function of the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes.
Primary ovarian failure (early menopause), ovaries stop working, and menstruation ends before the age of 40. Although the cause is unknown, some factors are associated with early menopause, including immune system diseases, some genetic conditions, such as Turner’s syndrome or carriers, Fragile X syndrome, radiation or chemotherapy therapy, and smoking.
- Pelvic adhesions, pelvic infection, appendicitis or scar tissue bands connecting organs after abdominal or pelvic surgery.
Conditions that can cause infertility can have many symptoms, and the most common ones can be counted as follows.
- Menstrual irregularity or no menstruation
- Severe pain and pain during menstrual periods
Severe bleeding during the menstrual period
- Milk coming from the breasts when there is no pregnancy
- Excessive hairiness and acne problem, which may also be associated with excess weight and hormone disorder.
- Problems with erection and ejaculation in men
Pain swelling or swelling in the testicles
- Less semen in men
In addition, the efficiency in the reproductive organs begins to decrease with advancing age. Especially in couples aged 35 and over, it is recommended that they get support by contacting health institutions in the event that pregnancy does not occur despite regular sexual intercourse.
METHODS IN INTENSITY THERAPY
Ovulation treatment
If problems with ovulation are solvable, medications to ensure ovulation can be used. Periodically, the development of eggs is monitored through ultrasound.
Vaccination
The Intra-Cervical Insemination (ICI)/Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is also a method applied to couples who tried to conceive naturally but could not provide it. Simply by taking semen or sperm cells and dropping them into the vagina or uterus, the artificial insemination method is applied.
IVF treatment
IVF treatment is the most developed field of medicine. Thanks to the technological opportunities, expert experience and knowledge, many couples have had children.
Is the only treatment for infertility in vitro fertilization or a safe method?
Candidates are analyzed when they go to a center to apply for this treatment. First of all, the problems experienced and treatments are questioned. Then, vaginally performed ultrasonography examines the ovaries’ egg reserve, whether there are any congenital or subsequent problems in the uterus.
If there is a situation that reduces the possibility of pregnancy, it is determined and treatment is started. First, this situation is treated and corrected. Even a very small surgical intervention may be enough to have a baby. After this stage, the father’s sperm analysis, uterine film, and the general health of the candidates are requested. As a result of these tests, plans are made about what treatment will be done.
When both tubes are closed and the number of motile sperms below 5 million, the in vitro fertilization method is mostly used. Apart from these, in candidates who have previously tried two or more ICI/IUI but have not succeeded, it is a method that should be used in order to prevent the disease from passing to the baby in those with genetic diseases. Candidates who are over 40 years old or whose ovarian reserve has decreased at a young age, should start IVF without wasting time. However, if the candidates do not have any other treatment before, if at least one tube is open, if the number of motile sperms is over 5 million, ICI/IUI can be tried as an alternative treatment method.