Introdution

Infertility happens when the reproductive system has trouble working. It affects the ability to have children. Causes might involve the man, the woman, or both partners. Infertility is not just something women face. In around half of infertile couples, the male partner is the main reason. Sometimes, couples face more than one reason causing difficulties and sometimes no cause can be found Doctors consider a couple infertile if pregnancy does not occur after one year of unprotected sex, six months for women over 35, or with known infertility issues. A board-certified reproductive endocrinologist often handles the best treatment for many infertility causes. Couples struggling with infertility have several treatment options based on what is causing the problem.

What Causes Infertility?

Below are some factors that can lead to infertility: Female causes:

• Issues with ovulation
• Blocked fallopian tubes or pelvic scar tissue can result from anatomical problems.
• Endometriosis
• Congenital defects present from birth
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs due to bacteria such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. It can harm the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes or sometimes all three at once.
• Immune system issues where antibodies in the body may fail to detect a pregnancy.
• Factors affecting men:
• Little or no sperm production
• Sperm that does not work
• Varicocele, or swollen veins near the testes
• Hormone or endocrine problems in men
• Issues with chromosomes
• Birth defects in the male reproductive system

Some lifestyle choices might harm sperm quality and how it works.

• Using drugs like marijuana or cocaine
• Drinking a lot of alcohol
• Smoking
• Taking specific medications
• Exposure to high heat on genitals, like sitting in hot tubs

What are Infertility Symptoms?

Doctors consider a couple infertile if they cannot conceive:

• Within a year of trying without birth control
• After six months if the woman is older than 35
• If there are already known issues causing infertility

How is Infertility Diagnosed?

Basic infertility tests include these steps: Both Partners A doctor will review their health and sexual history to detect any physical issues and ensure they are trying to conceive at the appropriate times. Female

• Physical examination: Doctors perform a physical check-up to assess general reproductive health.
• Ovulation assessment: Doctors check if ovulation occurs. Hormone levels testing: Blood tests measure hormone levels needed for ovulation and pregnancy.
• Ultrasound: Doctors use ultrasound to track the size of follicles, the sacs holding maturing eggs, or to check the uterine lining thickness.
• Hysterosalpingogram: This test examines the fallopian tubes and uterus using X-rays to find blockages or abnormalities. Male
• Semen analysis: A sample of semen is tested in a lab. The doctor looks at:
• Sperm quantity
• How well sperm move
• Sperm shape and structure
• The fluid that carries sperm
• Some tests might also check if the sperm can fertilise an egg or measure male hormone levels.

How do Doctors Treat Infertility?

Treatment options to help women might include:

• Intrauterine insemination
• Medication to stimulate ovulation
• Doctors may perform surgery to fix problems like blocked fallopian tubes or endometriosis.
• Assisted reproductive technology (ART) where sperm and egg are combined in a laboratory setting
• In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
• Donor eggs.
• Embryo cryopreservation.
• Men dealing with infertility have several treatment options. These can involve:
• Using assisted reproductive technologies (ART), which might include:
• Artificial insemination
• Techniques like IVF and GIFT
• Microsurgical fertilisation, including microinjection methods like intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
• Medication
• Surgical procedures to fix issues such as varicose veins in the scrotum (varicocele)