Infertility

WHAT IS INFERTILITY?

Infertility is the inability of a woman to become pregnant (or becomes pregnant but has miscarriages/stillbirths) for a year.

Main causes of female infertility

• Ovulation disorders: irregularity in release of eggs
• Uterine/cervical abnormalities
• Fallopian tube damage/blockage (often caused by STI's)

Main causes of male infertility

• Abnormal sperm production
• Issues in sperm delivery (ex: premature ejaculation, cystic fibrosis)
• Overexposure to external factors, such as smoking and alcohol

Determining infertility

• Males may go through tests, such as semen analysis, hormone testing, or testicular biopsy, all of which determine if male's sperm is healthy.
• Females have fertility tests like ovulation testing and ovarian reserve testing.

Determining infertility (cont.)

• If a male's sperm is not healthy or does not deliver properly, he may be infertile.
• If a woman's eggs are not healthy or do not travel through the fallopian tubes to the uterus properly, she may be infertile.

Social and emotional components

• Infertility can cause feelings of sadness, guilt, and anger.
• Intimacy can be affected negatively as feelings of loss and loneliness are associated with infertility.

One option for infertile couples is in vitro fertilization, in which a mature egg and sperm combine in a glass dish and is then placed in the woman's uterus.

Challenges of in vitro fertilization

• In vitro comes with risks of infection or damage to the the bowel/bladder.
• It may also cause multiple pregnancy, increasing chances of premature birth and low weight at birth.

Works Cited

• "Infertility Symptoms and Causes": Mayo Clinic
• "Infertility Diagnosis": Mayo Clinic
• "Infertility | Infertility Treatments": MedlinePlus
• "Emotional Issues of Infertility": Pregnancy and Children
• "In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Aide Effects and Risks": American Pregnancy Association