Infertility

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to viability after at least 1 year of regular sexual intercourse with out contraception.

Primary infertility- is an inability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to viability with no previous history of pregnancy carried to alive birth.

Secondary infertility- is an inability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to alive birth following one or more successful pregnancies.

Although often used interchangeably the term infertility and sterility are not synonymous. Sterility denotes a total and irreversible inability to conceive. Broadly defined infertility includes the inability to carry a pregnancy to viability.

Causes of infertility

Female

· Vaginal - abnormalities

- infectious

- highly acidic vaginal PH

· Cervical - Hostile environment (insufficient oestrogen or infection)

- Incompetent cervix

- Hostile environmental for implantation and survival of blastocyst

· Tubal

- Adhesions

- Scar tissue due to PID

- Endometriosis

· Ovarian - an ovulation

- Irregular or infrequent ovulation

- Secretary dysfunction

- Inadequate luteal phase

Male

· Anatomical abnormalities / congenital factor

· Inadequate sperm production / Maturation

· Varicose

· Testicular inflammation

· Heat exposure

· Sexually transmitted disease

· Radiation exposure

· Stress

· Certain drugs

· Inadequate motility of sperm

· Blockage of sperm in male reproductive tract

Diagnosis

· History and physical examination

· Semen analysis

· The postcoital test

· Basal body temperature recording

· Serum progesterone test

· Endometrial Biopsy

· Hysterosalpingogram

· Laparoscopy and culdoscopy

Treatment- On a diagnosis of the cause of the infertility, it hasbeen made to involve the male partner, the female partner, or both may be initiated.