Are you having a tough time to conceive for the past few years? If yes, then this can indicate a potential sign of infertility. You must not delay anymore and seek medical help at the earliest. This blog discusses some of the possible causes of infertility that might be hampering your parenthood journey.
What are the common causes for fertility problems in women?
Extensive smoking
Research indicates that smoking disrupts normal ovarian function. It decreases levels of essential female hormones. Moreover, it reduces the quantity of mature eggs available for fertilization. It introduces harmful substances like nicotine, cyanide etc. to the ovaries. This destroys eggs and diminishes ‘ovarian reserve’.
Obesity
Women who are overweight or ‘obese’ often have elevated levels of leptin. It is a hormone that often disrupts hormonal balance. Moreover, it triggers excessive insulin production; potentially leading to irregular ovulation. This subsequently results in loss of fertility in females.
Having too little weight
Underweight females have low estrogen levels in their bodies. This hampers with normal ovulation and often results in irregular menstrual cycles. When such conditions persist for extended periods of time, their fertility is affected.
Obstruction in the fallopian tubes
It is one of the prime causes of infertility in women. The fallopian tubes are responsible for transporting mature eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. However, blockages may happen due to infection or scar tissue deposit. This in turn disrupts their functioning.
Premature menopause
It occurs when the ovaries stop functioning optimally. This produces insufficient oestrogen and progesterone hormones in the body, leading to reduced fertility. Some other symptoms are less libido, vaginal dryness, mood fluctuations etc.
Prevalence of STDs
When STDs are left untreated, they can progress through the female tract and reach up to upper reproductive organs. This can damage the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes, causing inflammation and fertility issues for lifetime.
Gynaecological cancers and their treatments
For treating gynaecological cancers, chemotherapy treatments are often used. These have the potential to harm the ovaries, subsequently leading to infertility. Additionally, cancer surgeries affect the reproductive organs in the pelvic regions. These cause damage to nearby reproductive tissues and result in scarring.
Discharge of cervical mucus
This does not generally contribute to infertility. However, in extreme cases it may obstruct the sperm from entering the reproductive passage. The common cause for unusual discharge to occur is presence of cervical infection. It may also lead to formation of scar tissue. In medical terms, this condition is known as ‘cervical stenosis’.
What are the common causes for fertility problems in men?
Hormone problems
Two primary hormones namely luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone trigger testosterone production. This in turn generates sperms in males. Moreover, problems in the pituitary gland can negatively impact fertility in men.
Being overweight
A body weight higher than normal can cause hormonal imbalances in men. When a man is overweight or obese, his body converts testosterone into estrogen in excessive amounts. This elevated estrogen levels can hinder sperm production in the testicles. Moreover, obesity can lead to decreased sperm motility and cause DNA damage.
Too much mental stress
Stress can lead to higher release of steroid hormones like glucocorticoids. These lower testosterone levels and reduce sperm production. This may cause fertility issues the long run, if not managed timely.
STI infections
One of the prevalent causes of infertility in men is STIs. Untreated STIs can cause damage to the epididymis and urethra in males. This potentially results in fertility issues. Two common STIs that lead to male infertility are Chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
Reproductive cancers and their treatments
Testicular cancers often need chemoradioactive treatment. This can result in permanent infertility if the testicular cells sustain too much damage. Consequently, the testicles become unable to produce healthy and mature sperm.
Internal deformities
Hernia is one of the common problems to affect male reproductive health. When left untreated, it causes swelling in the scrotum and groin region, potentially affecting sexual function. In severe cases, the hernia grows so large that the penis gets into the hernia sac. This leads to difficulties in sexual performance and potentially impacts fertility.
Blockages in the epididymis
In certain cases, the epididymis becomes obstructed. This prevents sperm from entering the vas deferens. This results in absence of sperms in the semen, thus contributing to infertility.
Unhealthy habits
Heavy consumption of alcohol affects sperm quality and motility. Contrarily, smoking causes damage to sperm DNA and reduces sperm count. Both these habits diminish sexual health of males and lead to infertility in the long run.
What are the symptoms of infertility in women?
For women, infertility symptoms may involve:
Painful sexual intercourse
In medical terms, this is known as dyspareunia. It indicates a possible reproductive health issue and may affect a woman’s fertility in the long term. This generally happens due to uterine infections, endometriosis or fibroid growths.
Abnormal periods
This is characterized by extreme heavy bleeding. It is often associated with painful cramps and discomfort in the lower abdominal region. Moreover, this can indicate early signs of endometriosis (a potential factor for infertility).
Irregular monthly cycle
The primary sign for irregular menstrual cycle is missing periods frequently. Basically, when ovulation does not happen timely, such issues arise. This can possibly indicate PCOS or problems related to the thyroid gland.
Hormonal fluctuations
Hormonal issues may lead to sudden weight gain and skin- related problems (like acne). There may be increased hair growth in face and upper lips. Other symptom is severe hair loss from scalp . Some women may also get unusual nipple discharges (not related to breastfeeding). These symptoms are commonly ignored, but timely diagnosis may help to detect underlying causes.
What are the symptoms of infertility in men?
Some common symptoms for male fertility issues are:
Testicular deformities
Proper health of the testicles is crucial for male fertility. Testicles that are unusually small or feel firm might indicate underlying hormonal issues. This is often associated with swollen, painful lumps. These causes lead to reduced sperm quality and subsequent fertility issues in men.
Erectile dysfunction
Changes in hormones, psychological factors, or physical conditions can make achieving or maintaining an erection challenging. If this happens regularly, it can indicate an underlying problem and disrupt male fertility.
Issues with ejaculation
Experiencing difficulty with ejaculation or observing changes in ejaculate volume can indicate underlying hormonal issues, affecting male fertility.
Reduced sexual drive
A marked reduction in libido can indicate potential hormonal changes. This happens due to decline in testosterone levels and is often associated with depression, fatigue, and irritability.
When a couple should visit the doctor?
Young couples attempting to conceive for over a year should consider seeing a doctor. Moreover, individuals (of age 35 and above) must prioritize their sexual health at the earliest. This is because with age fertility decreases. Doctors can either recommend lifestyle changes to improve fertility or suggest medical treatments.
Final Thoughts
Md.co.uk facilitates rapid and efficient fertility tests for couples. We let people know about the common causes of infertility and offer medical help in no time. Thus, if you face difficulty in conceiving, feel free to contact us anytime!