Author - Dr. Vandana Narula, MBBS, MD (Obstetrics & Gynaecology)
Consultant - Infertility specialist in sector 43 Chandigarh

Factors that Contribute to Infertility in Men and Women

Infertility is a condition wherein a couple is unable to get pregnant even after repeated attempts for one year. According to Dr Vandana Narula, MBBS, MD (Obstetrics & Gynaecology), both men and women suffer from infertility. Gone are the days when only women were considered responsible for pregnancy. Today, infertility is a serious concern for both genders. 

What is Infertility?

The best doctors for PCOS treatment in Chandigarh define infertility as a condition wherein the couple is unable to get pregnant. To understand infertility, you must first be aware of the steps involved in pregnancy. To get pregnant:

1. Your brain must produce reproductive hormones that control your ovarian function.
2. An egg must mature in your ovary.
3. Your ovary must release an egg.
4. Your fallopian tube must pick up the egg.
5. Sperm must travel to your vagina and through the uterus to the fallopian tube.
6. The sperm must fertilize the egg to create an embryo.
7. The embryo should travel through your fallopian tube to the uterus for implantation.

A pregnancy cannot occur if any step out of this process is hampered. If you are younger than 35 years, the best PCO PCOD PCOS specialist in Mohali will diagnose infertility after one year of trying to conceive. If you are 35 years or older, the specialist will diagnose infertility after 6 months of trying to conceive.

What are the Types of Infertility?

Infertility is of the following types:

1. Primary Infertility: You have never been pregnant and unable to conceive after one year or 6 months.
2. Secondary Infertility: You are unable to get pregnant again after at least one successful pregnancy.
3. Unexplained Infertility: The fertility testing has not found any reason for your failure to get pregnant.

What are the Causes of Infertility?

According to the best doctors for PCOS treatment in Chandigarh, infertility is a complex subject with many contributing factors. Studies have shown that 25% of infertile couples have more than one factor contributing to infertility.

Infertility Causes in Women

Generally, ovulation disorders are the common causes of infertility in women. The other factors include:

1. Endometriosis.
2. Autoimmune disorders including celiac disease or lupus.
3. Structural abnormalities in the vagina, uterus, or fallopian tubes.
4. Pelvic inflammatory disease.
5. Hypothalamic or pituitary gland disorders.
6. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
7. Primary ovarian insufficiency or poor egg quality.
8. Kidney disease.
9. Uterine fibroids.
10. Sickle cell anaemia.
11. Thyroid disorder.

Infertility Causes in Men

Problems with shape, motility, and amount of sperm are the primary causes of infertility in men. The other causes include:

1. Enlarged veins or varicocele in the scrotum.
2. Genetic disorders.
3. High heat exposure to testicles due to tight clothing, hot tubs, and holding laptops near your testes.
4. Chromosomal disorders.
5. Injury to the scrotum or testes.
6. Low testosterone levels.
7. Anabolic steroid abuse.
8. Sexual dysfunction including erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation.
9. Surgical or congenital absence of testes.
10. Previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
11. Surgical sterilization or vasectomy.

Infertility Treatment

After a thorough diagnosis, infertility is treated. The treatment may vary and depend on the cause of your infertility and goals. At times, both partners may need treatment.

If you have been dealing with infertility or trying to conceive for several months, it is best to get yourself tested by Dr. Vandana Narula at the Motherhood Hospitals.