Infertility is a couple's problem, and is commonly due to some contribution from both the male and female partners. Approximately 40% of the time, the male contributes a significant part of the fertility problem.
The complex and finely balanced processes involved in egg and sperm production, and fertilisation create numerous opportunities for something to go wrong.
Female Causes:
Female infertility may be broken into several categories:
- Ovulatory problems
- Cervical factors
- Pelvic and tubal factors, and
- Uterine factors
Oftentimes, a combination of these problems exists.
Unexplained Infertility
Approximately 10% of infertile women suffer from unexplained infertility. This simply means that the commonly performed tests to diagnose the cause of infertilty are all normal and do not define the reason for infertility.
Treatment and Research: female subfertility
Endometriosis
Fibroids
Luteal Phase Defect
Stress
Male factors
- Sperm potency Low sperm counts, abnormal sperm morphology (shape), and low sperm motility are usually asymptomatic conditions to most males. Hormonal imbalances related to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) may affect the development of sperm and account for some sperm abnormalities. There is also some evidence to suggest that male sperm counts are declining in many populations. The exact reasons are unclear, but are thought to be environmental.
- Testicular failure: Some men are found to have no sperm in their semen. This could be due to a failure to ejaculate or a failure of the testes to produce sperm. The testes may have been damaged due to a poor blood supply, injury or even a case of adult mumps. Other causes include hormonal problems and genetic defects.
- Varicocele: These are varicose veins in one or both scrotums. A varicocele results in the pooling of blood and higher temperatures in the scrotum.
- Tubal blockage: Damage as a result of infections can prevent the sperm from getting into the semen.
- Sperm antibodies: Antibodies against their own sperm.
Some simple abnormalities may be improved by reducing stress, reducing heat to the genitals (eg. avoidance of tight clothing, saunas or hot tubs) , or by changing harmful lifestyle habits (avoiding tobacco, alcohol, or drugs such as marijuana). Short term illnesses, significant stressful periods, and some medications may temporarily affect sperm counts.
Treatment and Research: male subfertility
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