Causes of Infertility

Introduction:

Cases of infertility have lived with man for ages. The most appalling mindset of some society in the world is that women are to be blamed for all infertility cases. This mindset they supported saying that women are the one that conceive and carry the baby to term, therefore inability to conceive should be addressed to them. This is not true because men have an equal part to play just as women.

What is infertility?

In this context, infertility is the inability to conceive after a well guided unprotected sexual intercourse over a period of time (usually one year).

Who is responsible for infertility?

Men and women alike can be the cause of infertility and in some condition none of the couple is the cause.

Causes of infertility:

Several factors or disease conditions can cause infertility which might originate from the man or woman or both. Let us look into these factors in details using the male and female factors.

Male factors (factors originating from the man)

The male reproductive organs include; Prostate (provides about 30% of the volume of seminal fluid), vas deferens (stores spermatozoa), seminal vesicle (produces seminal fluid), testes (where production of spermatozoa occurs) and penis (channel where semen runs to the outside).

In both cases (male and female) congenital anomalies can result to infertility when any of the organs of reproduction is affected. Congenital anomaly is a condition that interrupts the formation of an offspring when it is still in the womb. These anomalies can lead to still born or an offspring that would die after birth. Some affected by such anomaly do live with it throughout life. When the sex cells are affected, the ability to reproduce would be affected.

Sperm morphology - the spermatozoa in the semen ought to have a normal morphology (shape) to be able to fertilize the ovum (egg).  The spermatozoa with the following morphology are said to be abnormal; giant sperm, micro sperm, double head, double body, long head, rough head and abnormal middle piece.

Note: a spermatozoon has a head (containing nucleus), body (containing mitochondrion) and tail (for motility or movement)

Volume - the volume of the semen should be at least 2 mL or greater to be considered enough to bring about fertilization.

Sperm concentration - 20 million/mL or more of spermatozoa is required for fertilization to occur, anything below this range is considered low sperm count.

Motility - At least 50% or more of spermatozoa in the semen should show a forward progression.

Female factors (factors originating from the woman)

Female reproductive organs include; ovary (where the ova or eggs are produced), fallopian or uterine tube (passage way for the ovum or egg), uterus or womb (where the zygote or offspring implants till time of delivery), cervix and vagina (passage way for the semen).

Infection - this can cause infertility in both male and female. Any untreated or not properly treated infection or sexual transmitted disease (STD) can interfere with ovulation, menstruation or conception which resulted due to its effects on the female reproductive organs.

Hormonal imbalance - when there is imbalance of the hormones controlling reproduction, it can interfere with ovulation, conception or menstruation. This can also cause miscarriage in pregnant women.

Previous abortion – complications from previous abortion can damage any of the reproductive organs especially the uterus (womb).

Living healthy reproductive life:

Preparation towards reproduction starts right from puberty (when the reproductive organs are in full function). So one have to start living healthy in the following ways;

Abstinence – abstinence from sex outside marriage can prevent a whole lot of problems. There would be no case of sexual transmitted disease or abortion.

Treat all infections – infection of any type should be treated with utmost priority. Always visit the clinic to see your doctor for advice and treatment. Report any abnormality in menstruation to your doctor.

Ensure work safety measures – those working at a place where they are exposed to radiation should be serious with safety measures. Radiation is harmful to all the cells of the body even the reproductive cells. It has been linked to several cases of birth defect. Men driving long distance should ensure enough ventilation in their groin because high temperature at the scrotum (housing the testes) can interfere with the formation of spermatozoa.

Eat healthy meal – balanced diet, fruits and vegetables maintain healthy life and nourish the reproductive organs.

Stay away from hard drugs – this is generally not good for the body and can interfere with reproduction.

Maintain a clean environment – a clean environment prevents diseases, infections and good for the normal functioning of the body systems including the reproductive system.