Infertility (patient information): Difference between revisions
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*Infertility is grouped into two categories: | *Infertility is grouped into two categories: | ||
:*Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become pregnant after at least 1 year of unprotected sex (intercourse). | :*Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become [[pregnant]] after at least 1 year of unprotected sex (intercourse). | ||
:*Secondary infertility refers to couples who have been pregnant at least once, but never again. | :*Secondary infertility refers to couples who have been [[pregnant]] at least once, but never again. | ||
==What are the symptoms of Infertility?== | ==What are the symptoms of Infertility?== | ||
*The main symptom of infertility is the inability to become pregnant. Specific symptoms depend on what is causing the infertility. | *The main symptom of infertility is the inability to become pregnant. Specific symptoms depend on what is causing the infertility. | ||
*Infertility can cause many painful | *Infertility can cause many painful [[emotion]]s in one or both partners. | ||
==What causes Infertility?== | ==What causes Infertility?== | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
*Female infertility may occur when: | *Female infertility may occur when: | ||
:*A fertilized egg or embryo does not survive once it sticks to the lining of the womb (uterus) | :*A fertilized egg or embryo does not survive once it sticks to the lining of the womb (uterus) | ||
:*The fertilized egg does not attach to the lining of the uterus | :*The fertilized egg does not attach to the lining of the [[uterus]] | ||
:*The eggs cannot move from the ovaries to the womb | :*The eggs cannot move from the [[ovaries]] to the womb | ||
:*The ovaries have problems producing eggs | :*The ovaries have problems producing eggs | ||
*Female infertility may be caused by: | *Female infertility may be caused by: | ||
:*Autoimmune disorders, such as [[antiphospholipid syndrome]] (APS) | :*[[Autoimmune]] disorders, such as [[antiphospholipid syndrome]] (APS) | ||
:*Cancer or tumor | :*[[Cancer]] or tumor | ||
:*Clotting disorders | :*Clotting disorders | ||
:*Diabetes | :*[[Diabetes]] | ||
:*Growths (such as [[uterine fibroids (patient information)|fibroids]] or polyps) in the uterus and cervix | :*Growths (such as [[uterine fibroids (patient information)|fibroids]] or polyps) in the uterus and [[cervix]] | ||
:*Birth defects that affect the reproductive tract | :*Birth defects that affect the reproductive tract | ||
:*Excessive exercising | :*Excessive exercising | ||
:*Eating disorders or poor nutrition | :*Eating disorders or poor nutrition | ||
:*Use of certain medications, including chemotherapy drugs | :*Use of certain medications, including [[chemotherapy]] drugs | ||
:*[[Alcoholism (patient information)|Drinking too much alcohol]] | :*[[Alcoholism (patient information)|Drinking too much alcohol]] | ||
:*[[Obesity]] | :*[[Obesity]] | ||
:*Older age | :*Older age | ||
:*[[ | :*Ovarian [[cyst]]s and [[polycystic ovary syndrome (patient information)|polycystic ovary syndrome]] (PCOS) | ||
:*Pelvic infection or [[pelvic inflammatory disease (patient information)|pelvic inflammatory disease]] (PID) | :*Pelvic [[infection]] or [[pelvic inflammatory disease (patient information)|pelvic inflammatory disease]] (PID) | ||
:*Scarring from [[sexually transmitted disease (patient information)|sexually transmitted infection]] or [[endometriosis (patient information)|endometriosis]] | :*Scarring from [[sexually transmitted disease (patient information)|sexually transmitted infection]] or [[endometriosis (patient information)|endometriosis]] | ||
:*Thyroid disease | :*[[Thyroid]] disease | ||
:*Too little or too much hormones | :*Too little or too much hormones | ||
| Line 50: | Line 50: | ||
*Male infertility may be due to: | *Male infertility may be due to: | ||
:*A decrease in sperm count | :*A decrease in [[sperm]] count | ||
:*Sperm being blocked from being released | :*Sperm being blocked from being released | ||
:*Sperm that do not work properly | :*Sperm that do not work properly | ||
| Line 59: | Line 59: | ||
:*Birth defects | :*Birth defects | ||
:*[[Alcoholism (patient information)|Heavy use of alcohol]], [[Substance abuse (patient information)|marijuana or cocaine]] | :*[[Alcoholism (patient information)|Heavy use of alcohol]], [[Substance abuse (patient information)|marijuana or cocaine]] | ||
:*Too little or too much | :*Too little or too much [[hormone]]s | ||
:*[[ | :*[[Impotence]] | ||
:*Infection | :*Infection | ||
:*Older age | :*Older age | ||
:*Cancer treatments, including [[chemotherapy]] and [[radiation]] | :*Cancer treatments, including [[chemotherapy]] and [[radiation]] | ||
:*Scarring from [[sexually transmitted disease (patient information)|sexually transmitted diseases]], injury, or surgery | :*Scarring from [[sexually transmitted disease (patient information)|sexually transmitted diseases]], injury, or surgery | ||
:*[[ | :*Retrograde [[ejaculation]] | ||
:*[[Smoking]] | :*[[Smoking]] | ||
:*Use of certain drugs, such as [[cimetidine]], [[spironolactone]], and [[nitrofurantoin]] | :*Use of certain drugs, such as [[cimetidine]], [[spironolactone]], and [[nitrofurantoin]] | ||
| Line 86: | Line 86: | ||
::*Blood tests to check hormone levels, including [[progesterone]] and [[follicle stimulating hormone]] | ::*Blood tests to check hormone levels, including [[progesterone]] and [[follicle stimulating hormone]] | ||
::*Checking body temperature first thing in the morning to check if the ovaries are releasing eggs | ::*Checking body temperature first thing in the morning to check if the ovaries are releasing eggs | ||
::*FSH and clomid challenge test | ::*FSH and [[clomid]] challenge test | ||
::*[[Hysterosalpingography]] (HSG) | ::*[[Hysterosalpingography]] (HSG) | ||
::*[[Ultrasound|Pelvic ultrasound]] | ::*[[Ultrasound|Pelvic ultrasound]] | ||
| Line 94: | Line 94: | ||
:*Tests in men may include: | :*Tests in men may include: | ||
::*Sperm testing | ::*[[Sperm]] testing | ||
::*Testicular biopsy (rarely done) | ::*[[Testicular]] [[biopsy]] (rarely done) | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
| Line 102: | Line 102: | ||
*It may involve: | *It may involve: | ||
:*Education and counseling | :*Education and counseling | ||
:*Fertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and [[in vitro fertilization]] (IVF) | :*[[Fertility]] treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and [[in vitro fertilization]] (IVF) | ||
:*Medicines to treat infections and clotting disorders | :*Medicines to treat infections and clotting disorders | ||
:*Medicines that help the woman grow and release eggs from the ovaries | :*Medicines that help the woman grow and release eggs from the ovaries | ||
| Line 119: | Line 119: | ||
*As many as 1 in 5 couples diagnosed with infertility eventually become pregnant without treatment. | *As many as 1 in 5 couples diagnosed with infertility eventually become pregnant without treatment. | ||
*More than half of couples with infertility become pregnant after treatment, not including advanced techniques such as | *More than half of couples with infertility become pregnant after treatment, not including advanced techniques such as in vitro fertiliziation ([[IVF]]). | ||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
| Line 130: | Line 130: | ||
*Maintaining a healthy diet, weight, and lifestyle may increase your chances for getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy. | *Maintaining a healthy diet, weight, and lifestyle may increase your chances for getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy. | ||
*Take a prenatal or multivitamin containing folate before and during pregnancy. This lowers your risk for [[miscarriage (patient information)|miscarriage]] and developmental problems in the baby. | *Take a prenatal or multivitamin containing [[folate]] before and during pregnancy. This lowers your risk for [[miscarriage (patient information)|miscarriage]] and developmental problems in the baby. | ||
==Support groups== | ==Support groups== | ||
| Line 141: | Line 141: | ||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Obstetrics]] | [[Category:Obstetrics]] | ||
[[Category:Disease]] | [[Category:Disease]] | ||
[[Category:Gynecology]] | [[Category:Gynecology]] | ||
[[Category:Andrology]] | [[Category:Andrology]] | ||
[[Category:Fertility medicine]] | [[Category:Fertility medicine]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:23, 29 July 2020
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
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Infertility |
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Infertility On the Web |
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Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.
Overview
- Infertility means you cannot make a baby (conceive).
- Infertility is grouped into two categories:
What are the symptoms of Infertility?
- The main symptom of infertility is the inability to become pregnant. Specific symptoms depend on what is causing the infertility.
- Infertility can cause many painful emotions in one or both partners.
What causes Infertility?
- A wide range of physical and emotional factors can cause infertility. Infertility may be due to problems in the woman, man, or both.
FEMALE INFERTILITY:
- Female infertility may occur when:
- Female infertility may be caused by:
- Autoimmune disorders, such as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
- Cancer or tumor
- Clotting disorders
- Diabetes
- Growths (such as fibroids or polyps) in the uterus and cervix
- Birth defects that affect the reproductive tract
- Excessive exercising
- Eating disorders or poor nutrition
- Use of certain medications, including chemotherapy drugs
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Obesity
- Older age
- Ovarian cysts and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Pelvic infection or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Scarring from sexually transmitted infection or endometriosis
- Thyroid disease
- Too little or too much hormones
MALE INFERTILITY:
- Male infertility may be due to:
- A decrease in sperm count
- Sperm being blocked from being released
- Sperm that do not work properly
- Male infertility can be caused by:
- Environmental pollutants
- Being in high heat for prolonged periods
- Birth defects
- Heavy use of alcohol, marijuana or cocaine
- Too little or too much hormones
- Impotence
- Infection
- Older age
- Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation
- Scarring from sexually transmitted diseases, injury, or surgery
- Retrograde ejaculation
- Smoking
- Use of certain drugs, such as cimetidine, spironolactone, and nitrofurantoin
- In healthy couples under age 30 who have sex regularly, the chance of getting pregnant is about 25 - 30% per month.
- A woman's peak fertility occurs in her early 20s. After age 35 (and especially 40), the chances that a woman can get pregnant drops considerably.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are unable to get pregnant.
Diagnosis
- When you should seek treatment for infertility depends on your age. It is recommended that women under 30 should generally try to get pregnant on their own for 1 year before seeking testing.
- Infertility testing involves a complete medical history and physical examination of both partners.
- Blood and imaging tests will be done.
- In women, this may include:
- Blood tests to check hormone levels, including progesterone and follicle stimulating hormone
- Checking body temperature first thing in the morning to check if the ovaries are releasing eggs
- FSH and clomid challenge test
- Hysterosalpingography (HSG)
- Pelvic ultrasound
- Laparoscopy
- Luteinizing hormone urine test (ovulation prediction)
- Thyroid function tests
- Tests in men may include:
- Sperm testing
- Testicular biopsy (rarely done)
Treatment options
- Treatment depends on the cause of infertility.
- It may involve:
- Education and counseling
- Fertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Medicines to treat infections and clotting disorders
- Medicines that help the woman grow and release eggs from the ovaries
- It is important to recognize and discuss the emotional impact that infertility has on you and your partner, and to seek medical advice from your health care provider.
- You can increase your chances of becoming pregnant each month by having sex at least every 3 days before and during ovulation. It is especially important to do so 72 hours before ovulation begins.
- Ovulation occurs about 2 weeks before the next menstrual cycle (period) starts. If a woman gets her period every 28 days, the couple should have sex at least every 3 days between the 10th and 18th day after the period starts.
Where to find medical care for Infertility?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Infertility
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
- As many as 1 in 5 couples diagnosed with infertility eventually become pregnant without treatment.
- More than half of couples with infertility become pregnant after treatment, not including advanced techniques such as in vitro fertiliziation (IVF).
Possible complications
- Infertility can have a big emotional impact on you and your partner.
- Depression, anxiety, and marriage problems may occur.
Prevention
- Preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, may reduce your risk of infertility.
- Maintaining a healthy diet, weight, and lifestyle may increase your chances for getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy.
- Take a prenatal or multivitamin containing folate before and during pregnancy. This lowers your risk for miscarriage and developmental problems in the baby.