Infertility involves:
Female Factors: Conditions such as ovulation disorders, tubal blockages, endometriosis, and uterine abnormalities that prevent the successful conception or implantation of an embryo.
Male Factors: Issues such as low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm morphology that impair the ability to fertilize an egg.
Hormonal Imbalances: Disruptions in the hormonal regulation of the reproductive system, affecting both ovulation and sperm production.
Genetic Factors: Genetic abnormalities or mutations that impact reproductive function.
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors: Exposure to toxins, poor nutrition, stress, and lifestyle choices that negatively affect fertility.
Clinical Evaluation
Symptoms: Assessment of symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, pain during menstruation or intercourse, and history of recurrent miscarriages.
Physical Examination: Examination findings may include signs of hormonal imbalances, pelvic abnormalities, or infections.
Diagnostic Tests: Hormonal assays, semen analysis, imaging studies (ultrasound, hysterosalpingography), and laparoscopic examinations to identify underlying causes of infertility.
Irregular menstrual cycles or absence of menstruation (amenorrhea).
Painful periods (dysmenorrhea) or pain during intercourse (dyspareunia).
Changes in sexual desire or function.
Abnormal hair growth, weight gain, or other signs of hormonal imbalance.
Recurrent miscarriages.
Difficulty achieving pregnancy after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve:
Medications: Fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation, hormonal treatments to correct imbalances, and medications to treat underlying conditions such as infections.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): Procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to facilitate conception.