17/03/2023
UNDERSTANDING INFERTILITY
The arrival of a child in a home brings tremendous joy, love, satisfaction, fulfilment and hope. Unfortunately when a baby is not coming as anticipated after marriage, frustrations, strive and bitterness ensues.
It is important we understand the basic scientific background of infertility.
DEFINITION:
Infertility is when a couple cannot achieve pregnancy following regular unprotected sexual in*******se for a period of two years. If is called subfertility when the duration is shorter.
Infertility of a couple may be due to a problem with the wife (female infertility) or with the husband (male infertility) or with both the wife and the husband.
For natural pregnancy to occur, many processes that are intrictably balanced must be normal.
IN THE FEMALE FOR EXAMPLE:
1. Certain chemicals called hormones from the brain that regulate the ovaries must be present in sufficient quantity, (not more or less).
2. The ovaries which produce the eggs must be normal and responsive to the chemicals from the brain.
3. The ovaries must produce two chemicals (estrogens and progesterone) which act on the lining of the womb (uterus) to prepare it to accept babies, in addition to production of eggs.
4. The womb (uterus) which receive the fertilized eggs, house and nurture the baby to maturity must be normal and free of diseases.
5. The fallopian tubes connects the womb towards the ovaries and it is the place where the eggs form the ovaries and s***m cells from the man meets and fertilization for a new life take place. The fallopian tubes should be opened and normal.
IN THE HUSBAND:
1. Chemicals (hormones) from the brain that regulate the functions of the te**es (g***d) should be normal in quantity and form.
2. The te**es must produce normal s***m cells and testosterone and other chemicals in normal quantity.
3. The s***m cells produced in the te**is must be able to pass through tube (epididymis and vas deference) to reach the p***s.
4. Prostate glands and seminal vesicles that add nutrients and other chemicals to the s***m should be normal and function well.
5. Er****on and sexual in*******se with the wife must be achievable at the appropriate time.
The above processes are well coordinated. Any abnormality in any of the processes described above can lead to infertility.
There are several structural and functional abnormalities caused by a variety of factors that can perturb the normal processes leading to pregnancy.
Such disease conditions include the following:
- Congenital abnormalities/birth defects
- Genetic disorders
- Hormonal imbalance
- Failure of ovulation/egg production
- Infections
- Blockage of fallopian tubes
- Uterine fibroids
- Blockage of cervix entrance
- Unfavorable vaginal acidity and chemicals
And in Men too:
- Infections
- Poor semen characteristics like low or absence s***m cells, poor motility or poor structure of s***m (Morphology)
- Blockage of vas deferences
- Diseases of prostate gland and seminal vesicles.
- Blockage of urine pipe (urethral)
- Impotence (erectile dysfunction)
Some diseases such as diabetes mellitus and thyroid gland disorders may contribute to infertility. Certain drugs and some chemicals used at home, laboratories and industries may affect fertility.
Contraception and sterilization surgeries including removal of ovaries fallopian tubes and uterus for other diseases will definitely cause infertility.
It is important to note that marital disharmony and geographical separation because of works or frequent travels can contribute to infertility.
Finally, in many cases of infertility, extensive investigation of the couple may not reveal the cause of infertility and described as INFERTILITY of UNKNOWN ORIGIN or IDIOPATHIC INFERTILITY.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN PREGNANCY IS NOT COMING AS EXPECTED?
1. Nothing/Relax
Sometimes all that is required is to relax.
Anxiety is inimical to achieving pregnancy particularly soon after marriage.
2. Counselling
It is important to ask questions from experienced mothers and healthcare workers who can guide and give information on menstrual cycle and fertile periods.
Counselling by a Medical Practitioners will be of tremendous help.
3. Consultation by Gynaecologist
This will help to determine whether there is a problem or not, and the nature of the problem.
Sometimes simple advice and couselling will do the job.
In some instances, simple prescriptions for infections and hormonal imbalance in either or both couples may just be all that is required.
Occasionally, corrective surgeries may be warranted.
4. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
When there is any indication that achieving pregnancy by natural method will be difficult or medically impossible, highly technical and advanced procedures including IVF (Invitro-Fertilization) may be advised. Effective and efficient couselling will help determine couples that can benefit from such procedures.
5. Surrogacy and adoption may be options for some couples.
Book appointment at The Peake Specialist Hospital to meet our specialist consultants.
Tel: 0814 891 3099 thepeakespecialisthospital@gmail.com
