Not Sure About the Causes of Infertility? Here’s What You Should Know

It can be an overwhelming and confusing experience when you have been trying to get but have not been successful at it. The seeds of doubt are already planted in your mind if there is something wrong with either you or your partner.

You cannot rule out the possibility until you consult a specialist. However, what you can be is to know more about infertility and how you can deal with it.

What Are Possible Symptoms that are Indicative of Infertility?

Infertility can happen to both women and men. The main symptom of infertility is unsuccessful in achieving pregnancy. Other indications may include:

• Irregular, painful or absent menstrual periods in women
• signs of hormonal problems, like hair growth or sexual function in men

What Are the Possible Health Conditions that Causes Infertility?

Various factors contribute to infertility. While some may be hereditary, some may be the result of bad lifestyle choices.

Let’s deep dive further to find out about the possible health conditions that can lead to infertility.

1. Ovarian Issues:

If your fertility specialist has diagnosed you with infertility because of your ovaries, in most cases, it is directly related to either a diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Both conditions vary vastly from each other but involve the ovaries.

A diminishing ovarian reserve basically means that the woman only has a few remaining eggs in comparison to people of her age range.

The condition can strike at any point in time but is often caused in women as they mature in age. Typically, the age that it kicks in when you are entering your 40s. The ovarian reserve goes through a natural decline at this time. However, ovarian endometriosis, prior chemotherapy or pelvic radiation therapy, or prior ovarian surgeries are also common causes of DOR.

Testing your follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), and the estrogen estradiol (E2) levels and carrying out a transvaginal ultrasound to get a follicle count will determine if the condition has set in early on.

If the results come back with low numbers,  ovarian-stimulation medications can be offered to achieve pregnancy in DOR .

A hormonal disorder like polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS marks high levels of the male sex hormones or androgens, multiple immature ovarian follicles, irregular ovulation and menstruation. Chances of getting pregnant are greatly diminished as ovulation is irregular too.

This can be treated with medications if it’s a mild case of PCOS. For more complex cases, exploring IVF will help in achieving pregnancy.

2. Endometriosis or Tubal Diseases:

The cells lining in the inside of the uterus start to grow outside the uterus usually ovaries, fallopian tubes (or) tissues surrounding ovaries and uterus. This is called endometriosis and can contribute to fertility issues as it can distort the structure of uterus and tubes and may cause blockage of tubes. It can also lead to ovarian cysts that speed up the ageing process of the ovaries.

If your infertility diagnosis is by reason of endometriosis, you may be advised  surgical treatment options by your fertility specialist.

Infertility may also be caused by tubal diseases where the fallopian tubes are either damaged or blocked. This means that the sperm cannot reach the egg and therefore, fertilisation cannot take place. Even if fertilisation happens as a result of partial blockage or damage, it prevents the fertilised egg from reaching the uterus.

Overall, tubal diseases contribute to approximately 25% to 30% of infertility cases.

3. Fibroids or Adenomyosis:

A transvaginal ultrasound will be able to detect if you have fibroids or adenomyosis.

Benign growths of the uterine muscle are known as fibroids. Generally, a diagnosis of fibroids in most cases does not cause infertility. However, that may not always be true for the more complex cases where the growths can potentially cause fallopian tube blockage or uterine abnormalities that may create issues with egg implantation. It can even lead to miscarriage.

 In some  cases, surgery may be advised as treatment option.

If the tissue from the lining of the uterus starts growing into the muscular wall of the uterus, the condition is called adenomyosis. The uterus also tends to bulk up a bit.

The condition is not as well known as fibroids but can have some impact on fertility. Treatment is available through medication or hormonal therapies. Again, surgery may be recommended only in the rarest of cases.

4. Thyroid Conditions or Insulin Resistance:

Conceiving can be difficult if you are diagnosed with thyroid conditions or hormonal imbalances.

Thyroid occurs when the levels of TSH or the thyroid-stimulating hormone are either too high or too low. There is a risk of complicated pregnancy or infertility if the condition is left untreated for a long time. Having said that, the condition can be managed in consultation with  endocrinologist which will increase your chances of conception.

A common symptom of PCOS is insulin resistance which can increase your risk of developing gestational diabetes. High levels of blood sugar can be indicative of insulin resistance. Medications may be prescribed to manage the condition and increase your fertility.

5. Male Factor Infertility:

Male infertility accounts for in excess of 50% of the couples who are trying to conceive but have not been successful. A semen analysis can look at the sperm concentration or sperm count, the volume of the semen, its motility and morphology.

Several medical conditions such as infections like epididymitis, orchitis, or some sexually transmitted infections, cancers/tumours can affect the glands that are involved in process of reproduction. Other medical factors include injury to the testicles or other parts of the reproductive system or even hormone imbalances that can trigger fertility issues in men. Varicocele is an anatomical condition that may interfere with sperm production or release leading to fertility issues in the future.

Dealing with male infertility without medical help can be challenging at times. Nevertheless, advanced fertility care such as hormonal medications, IUI or assisted reproductive techniques like IVF can now help increase their chances of conception.

What To Do If You Tested Positive for Infertility?

You must be anxious if your infertility diagnosis has been confirmed. That said, it is important to accept the fact and take corrective action.

Speak to your fertility specialist immediately about all the concerns that you may have. The fertility team will convene to discuss your case and present to you the best treatment options available that will help you to achieve your reproductive goals.

Need A Recommendation?

Working through your infertility issues can be an emotional journey. That’s why you to need have the best fertility clinic as your partner to handhold you through the entire process.

If you are experiencing infertility issues and wish to find out if IVF is the right treatment option for your needs, feel free to schedule an appointment with Dr Vyjayanthi, Clinician in Charge at MotherToBe, a top fertility centre in Hyderabad. During the consultation, we will discuss your personal struggles with getting pregnant whilst evaluating you as a candidate for fertility treatment.

If you live in and around Hyderabad and are keen to know more about IVF treatments, be sure to contact MotherToBe’s team of fertility specialists who can ensure that your dream of starting your family can soon become a reality.