What Causes Infertility?

What Causes Infertility?

Infertility is the biological or psychological inability of a couple to conceive after repeatedly having unprotected sexual intercourse (while no other form of birth control is being used) for a period of time, usually twelve months or more.  Infertility also refers to a woman’s inability to carry a pregnancy to full term. There are many reasons for infertility.  Studies show that female conditions account for over two thirds of the cases of infertility. The rest are caused by sperm irregularity and other unidentifiable factors.

So what causes infertility in women? Most cases of infertility are caused by hormonal deficiencies or imbalances, structural problems in the reproductive organs and some illnesses. Mechanical trauma and chemical disturbances from surgeries and potent medications can also negatively affect a woman’s fertility.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is probably the most common cause of female infertility in the world. It is an infection of the reproductive organs and the pelvis in general. The inflammation and trauma to the organs can affect their structural integrity, making conception difficult. Moreover, the prolonged exposure to microorganisms and the scarring that result after the infection may cause blood poisoning and ectopic pregnancy. 

Problems related to the adrenal gland and thyroid deficiencies may cause ovarian and hormonal problems. Any problem with the two organs can increase the production of prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that stimulates the production of breast milk and prevents ovulation. High levels of prolactin in the body not only cause difficulty in conceiving but may also indicate a pituitary tumor.

Scarred tissues left after abdominal or vaginal surgeries may also impair conception. The traumatized areas may cause problems with regards to the movement of egg cells from the ovaries to the fallopian tubes and the uterus. Frequent abortions also leave scar tissues that can obstruct the uterus, leaving the egg cell and the sperm unable to meet.

Some medications such antibiotics, antidepressants and anti-inflammatory agents can impair infertility. Indirectly, these drugs can decrease estrogen and luteinizing hormones in the body which are needed for the maturation and release of mature egg cell.        

So, what causes infertility in males? The most common factors contributing to male infertility are associated with sperm and its characteristics. Either the sperm count is too low or the sperm is low quality. Sperm cells made of poor quality move slowly or swim in the wrong direction. The cells may be abnormally-shaped, making transportation difficult. There are a lot things that can contribute to the production of poor-quality sperm cells, such as the failure of the testes to develop and properly descend.  These two conditions may be congenital, meaning the testes remain within the body cavity. The chronic exposure to metals and medications can also impair the release of potent sperm cells from the body. The chemicals can alter the molecular and physical structure of the cells, making movement and conception difficult.
    

As to the question ’what causes infertility,’ there are many answers.  The problem cannot be pinned to either men or women as it is an issue than can affect both sexes.  If you or your partner are unfortunate enough to receive an infertility diagnosis, don’t lose heart.  There are many conservative and natural treatments to help remedy fertility issues today.        

How to Identify the 1st Signs of Pregnancy

How to Identify the 1st Signs of Pregnancy
Every woman is unique. The same is true for every pregnancy. No two pregnancies are alike, even for the same woman. What may affect or be a symptom in one pregnant woman may not be the same in another, and vice versa.
There are some women who say they just "feel" and "know" exactly the moment when they become pregnant. And then there are others who don’t know or feel they might be pregnant, some not experiencing recognizable symptoms even up until the point of a very unexpected and surprising delivery of a baby they didn’t know they were carrying. Truly, there is a wide assortment of pregnancy signs and symptoms, making it rather difficult for women to use one common, or even a few common signs and symptoms to identify the start of a pregnancy.
Aside from going to the doctor to take a pregnancy test, which is by far the most generally accepted way to establish a pregnancy, understanding the female body and the changes it undergoes while pregnant can help one pick up on subtle clues that might indicate a pregnancy.
For women who have normal menstrual cycles, a missed period is a tattletale sign of pregnancy. But for others with irregular periods, a missed period or a late menstruation is of no concern. Spotting that is associated with implantation of the fertilized egg may resemble a light period, and cause a woman to dismiss the thought of a possible pregnancy. A missed or late period can be the result of many other things including change in diet, medication, stress. Therefore, the lack of a period may be a symptom of early pregnancy for some but not others.
Another big sign of potential pregnancy is changes in the breasts. Changes in a woman’s breasts often indicate a change in the body, especially changes related to child bearing. Early in the beginning stages of pregnancy, the breasts undergo important changes, telling the body that something is happening. They begin to feel tender to the touch and some become painful and overly sensitive to stimuli. However, this alone is not solid proof of a pregnancy because the same changes are experienced in a menstrual cycle. Some women have a sensitivity to certain foods or medications that can facilitate changes in the breast as well.
Morning sickness is another sign of early pregnancy and is often exhibited by nausea and vomiting. It is a classic pregnancy symptom in which a woman will suddenly experience a severe aversion to the scent or taste of food that previously had no effect upon her before. It also occurs any time of the day but it can sometimes be easily resolved with a few saltine crackers and luke warm glass of water.
Another sign of early pregnancy is extreme tiredness. Normal activities that didn’t wear a woman out before suddenly do after she’s become pregnant. She might even find it hard to keep her eyes upon or insist she needs a nap in the afternoon or evening. Some women experience increased trips to the bathroom while others report feelings of bloating or cramping that resembles discomfort from menstruation. These are all common signs of early pregnancy, but are not definitive alone because tiredness or nausea or frequent urination and belly cramps can easily be associated with a number of other health concerns.
The early signs, the first signs, of pregnancy are a combination of personal experiences that go hand in hand with subtle changes in the body. A simple pregnancy text at home or the doctor’s office remains the most credible and recognizable way to confirm a pregnancy and help ensure that the symptoms of missed periods, breast tenderness, nausea, fatigue and other similar things are indeed pregnancy related and not the result of some other medical issue.