infertility in male Archives

Infertility: Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment

March 28, 2022November 16, 2023
by Eva Hospital

Introduction: An Infertility

If one is under 35 years of age and unable to get pregnant after having unprotected, regular sex for six months to one year, it can be a sign of infertility.

There are no definite symptoms of infertility. However, Women with infertility may sometimes have irregular or absent menstrual periods and some men with infertility may show signs of hormonal problems, such as changes in hair growth or sexual function.

The good news is that many safe and effective treatments are available nowadays and they can considerably improve the chances of pregnancy in couples who have been trying for a long time without success and a couple should immediately seek the consultation of a competent fertility specialist if they are facing issues in getting pregnant. The correct diagnosis and timely treatment can help couples in successfully achieving pregnancy.

When to See An Infertility Doctor?

Women Should Consult An Infertility Specialist if:

They are 35 years or older of age and have been trying to get pregnant for six months or longer
They have irregular or no periods
Their periods are painful
Have fertility problems they are aware of
They have been diagnosed with endometriosis or a pelvic inflammatory disease
They have a history of multiple miscarriages
They have at some point in life undergone the treatment for cancer

Men Should Talk to An Infertility Doctor if:

They have a low sperm count or other sperm-related issues.
They have a history of testicular, prostate, or sexual issues, they are aware of or suspect
Have at some point undergone treatment for cancer
They have small testicles
There has been a history of infertility problems in the family

How is Female Infertility Diagnosed?

The doctor may initially ask the couple to record the signs of ovulation. These signs include basal body temperature and cervical mucus.

There are a few tests that can also help diagnose infertility issues in females:

Pelvic examination: A pelvic examination, including a Pap smear, is performed to check for any structural issues or signs of disease.
Blood test: Blood tests can help to check hormone levels, including thyroid function tests.
Transvaginal ultrasound: An ultrasound wand is inserted into the vagina to establish problems with the reproductive system if any.
Hysteroscopy: A thin, lighted tube (hysteroscope) is inserted into the vagina by the doctor, to examine the uterus.
Saline sonohysterogram (SIS): The uterus is filled with saline and transvaginal ultrasound is conducted.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): An injectable dye performs an x-ray as it travels through the fallopian tubes, looking for blockages if any
Laparoscopy: A laparoscope i.e. a thin tube with a camera is inserted into a small abdominal incision. The pelvic laparoscopy in females helps to identify issues like endometriosis, fibroids, and scar tissue.

How is Male Infertility Diagnosed?

The following tests can help diagnose infertility issues in males:

Semen analysis: It helps to establish semen-related issues in men, such as low sperm count, poor morphology, and poor mobility. Needle biopsy is sometimes needed in some men to collect the sperm for testing from the testicles and this is the only test needed in the workup of infertility for most men.
Blood test: Testosterone, thyroid, and other hormone levels are checked through a blood test. Genetic blood tests help find out chromosomal abnormalities.
Scrotal ultrasound: Varicoceles or other testicular problems, if any can be identified with the help of the ultrasound of the scrotum.

Besides all these tests, the patient should listen to their body and inform the doctor if at any time they notice a sign or a symptom. The earlier an infertility problem is diagnosed, the more are the chances of getting pregnant.

How Can Infertility Be Prevented?

Some types of infertility are not preventable. However, many techniques may increase one’s chance of getting pregnant.

Following steps can be taken by both men and women to protect their fertility, particularly while trying to conceive:

They must eat a well-balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight.
They must avoid smoke, drugs, or excessive alcohol consumption.
They must take treatment for STDs.
The exposure to toxins must be limited.
Physical activity is important but overdoing exercise must be avoided.

Additionally, the men must:

Avoid high temperatures found in hot tubs and hot baths as they can have a temporary effect on sperm production and motility.
Avoid exposure to industrial or environmental toxins as they can sometimes affect sperm production.
Try to maintain a healthy weight as being both overweight and underweight can affect hormone production and cause infertility.

What Is The Treatment For Female Infertility?

The usual treatment for infertility in women include:

Medications: Fertility drugs are prescribed to alter hormone levels to stimulate ovulation.
Surgery: Blocked fallopian tubes can be opened and uterine fibroids and polyps can be removed through surgery. Surgical treatment of endometriosis can increase a woman’s chances of pregnancy by almost two times.

What Is The Treatment For Male-Related Infertility?

The recommended treatments for male infertility include:

Medications: Testosterone or other hormone levels can be raised with the help.of medications. There are a few drugs that can help with erectile dysfunction.
Surgery: Blockages in the tubes that store and carry sperm can be opened surgically.

What Are The Fertility Treatment Options For All Genders?

Although the above prevention and treatments can help some couples to conceive successfully, others might need more treatment options to increase their odds of pregnancy. Some medications may be prescribed to women to stimulate ovulation, before trying one of the following options:

Intrauterine insemination (IUI): A long, thin tube is used to place sperm directly into the uterus.
In vitro fertilization (IVF): A kind of assisted reproductive technology, it implicates harvesting the eggs at the end of the stimulation and placing sperm and eggs together in a lab dish. These eggs are then fertilized by the sperm and one of the fertilized eggs (embryo) is placed into the uterus.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): In a procedure similar to IVF, a single sperm is directly injected into each of the harvested eggs by an embryologist and then an embryo is transferred into the uterus.
Third-party ART: Donor eggs, donor sperm, or donor embryos are recommended to be used by Some couples may also need a gestational carrier or surrogate, who agrees to carry and deliver their baby.

Outlook For Couples With Infertility

Dr. Shivani Bhutani at Eva Hospital has been dealing with patients of both genders with infertility. She explains that almost 90% of couples succeed in getting pregnant after undergoing fertility treatments. However, the success rates of these treatments depend on the cause of infertility, the couple’s ages, and other aspects.

Although Infertility can pose many challenges and can sometimes affect relationships as well as emotional health, infertility treatments these days are proving highly successful in helping couples to eventually

start a family. An accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment is the right step in this direction.

If you and your partner have been facing problems in conceiving despite trying for more than 6 months to a year, you may book an appointment here with Dr. Shivani Bhutani.

Eva Hospital

Infertility: Types, Symptoms and Causes

March 22, 2022March 28, 2024
by Eva Hospital

What is Infertility?

>When one cannot get pregnant after having unprotected, regular sex for six months to one year, depending on the person’s age, it is called infertility.

>Infertility doesn’t necessarily mean that the man or the woman is sterile or unable to have a child ever in life, it can mean that either of the partners has a medical problem that needs to be checked out.

> Almost 50% of the couples who get medical help can ultimately have a child, on their own or with medical intervention.

>In some couples, no cause of infertility is found after all tests have been done. This is called unexplained infertility.

What Are the Types of Infertility?

>There are two types of infertility:

Primary Infertility

> A woman who has never conceived and who is not able to get pregnant even after one year of not using any birth control.

Secondary Infertility

>When a woman can’t get pregnant again after having at least one successful previous pregnancy in the past.

Symptoms of Infertility

>Ovulation and fertilization need to happen correctly with all steps in a certain order for a woman to get pregnant. Occasionally infertility-causing issues may be present in couples at birth, and sometimes these may develop later.

>Not getting pregnant despite unprotected sex for 6 months or more is the major symptom of infertility.

>One thing that is pertinent to be mentioned is that miscarrying or being unable to carry a baby to childbirth is not a sign of infertility.

Symptoms of Infertility in Women

>The symptoms of infertility in women include:

>Abnormal periods Heavier or lighter bleeding than usual.
>Irregular periods: Variable number of days between each period
>No periods: Never having had periods or sudden stopping of periods
>Painful periods: Unbearable and strong Back pain, pelvic pain, and cramping during the periods.

>Female infertility may sometimes be related to a hormone problem too and the symptoms may include:

>Skin changes like change in texture or more acne
>Changes in sex drive
>Dark and thick hair growth on the lips, chest, and chin
>Thinning of hair
>Unexplained Weight gain

>There may be some other symptoms of infertility causing disorders:

>Milky white discharge from nipples
>Pain during sexual intercourse.

Causes of Fertility Problems in Women

Ovulation disorders:> Lack of ovulation is the main cause of infertility in women. It means that the ovary of the woman doesn’t release an egg. The issues which affect the release of eggs from the ovaries include hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome, Hyperprolactinemia, a condition in which women may have too much prolactin, hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism. All these can affect the menstrual cycle and ovulation causing infertility. Too much exercise, eating disorders, or tumors may be other causes behind this.
Damage to fallopian tubes>: The fallopian tube carries eggs from the ovary to the user and damage can be caused to them due to inflammation resulting from pelvic inflammatory disease, usually as a result of a sexually transmitted infection, endometriosis, scar tissue, or adhesions.
Endometriosis>: The endometrial tissue growing outside of the uterus in the condition called endometriosis can affect the function of the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes.
Uterine or cervical abnormalities:> The abnormalities with the cervix, polyps in the uterus, or the shape of the uterus can be one of the reasons behind infertility. Uterine fibroids may also be one of the causes of infertility as they can lead to blocking. the fallopian tubes, stopping a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.
Cancer and its treatment:> Cancers especially of reproductive parts can impair female fertility as both radiation and chemotherapy may affect fertility.
>Some other reasons include Smoking, Being overweight or underweight, age and lifestyle problems, etc.

Symptoms of Infertility in Men

>Usually, the infertility symptoms in men are quite vague and may go unnoticed until a man tries to start a family.

>Moreover, the symptoms of infertility in men depend on the cause of infertility and can include:

>Change in hair growth pattern
>Change in sexual desire or drive
>Pain, lump, or any swelling in the testicles
>Problems with erection and ejaculation
>Small and firm testicles

Causes of Fertility Problems in Men

Abnormal sperm production or function:> The most common cause for infertility in men is due to a problem with sperm due to undescended testicles, genetic deformities, health issues like diabetes, or infections such as gonorrhea, mumps, or HIV. The quality of sperm can also be affected by enlarged veins in the testes.
Problems with the delivery of sperm: >A few sexual problems, such as premature ejaculation, certain genetic diseases, structural problems for example a blockage in the testicle, or damage or injury to the reproductive organs can be a hindrance to the traveling of the sperm.
Low sperm count>: Having too few or no sperm in the semen.
Sperm Motility:> The sperm don’t move as desired
Sperm Morphology:> Abnormally formed sperm can be one of the reasons for infertility.
Environmental factors:> Exposure to pesticides, chemicals, excessive heat, and radiation can cause issues with the sperm. Smoking, alcohol, and any other form of drug abuse marijuana, and a few medications to treat bacterial infections, high blood pressure, and depression can also influence fertility.
>Age and weight can also play an important role in men’s fertility.

Cancer and its treatment:> History of cancer and its treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy can also impair sperm production.

What is Infertility Treatment?

>When discussed with Dr. Shivani Bhutani at Eva Hospital Ludhiana, she explains that the best IVF Centre in Ludhiana may result from an issue in either of the partners or a combination of factors.

>Women with infertility may sometimes have irregular or absent menstrual periods or in some men with infertility, there may be signs of hormonal problems, such as changes in hair growth or sexual function. Other symptoms might sometimes not be so obvious.

> Fortunately, many safe and effective treatments are now available that can considerably improve the chances of pregnancy in couples who have been trying for a long time without any success and a couple should immediately seek the consultation of a competent best IVF Centre in Ludhiana if they are facing issues in getting pregnant. Timely medical intervention can go a long way in filling your life with the happiness and giggles of a child.

An appointment with Dr. Shivani Bhutani at Eva Hospital (Best IVF Centre in Ludhiana) book your appointment here.

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infertility in male