What is Infertility?
If one goes by the layman’s language then, infertility means unable to get pregnant after 1 year of trying. Also, if you are a woman of 35 years or more age who is trying to conceive for the last 6 months but could not is termed infertility. Otherwise, infertility means unable to get pregnant due to any of the many biological factors in males and females. A successful IUI procedure is a boon for many infertile couples who are not able to conceive by natural methods even after trying for many years.
A woman can have two types of fertilities:
Primary infertility
A condition in which a woman is not able to conceive, ever.
Secondary infertility
A condition in which a woman has one successful pregnancy but other pregnancies have been unsuccessful.
A male is also equally prone to infertility as a female.
Why is addressing infertility important?
Enjoying the highest attainable standards of both mental, and physical wellness is the right of every individual. We as humans can decide when we want to start our family. Hence, addressing the issue of infertility is an important part of a person’s and couples’ right to do family planning.
Persons of all age groups, all sexual preferences, and all types of biological issues have the freedom to decide the number, timing, and spacing between their children. Infertility can snatch the happiness of experiencing parenthood from people who want to start a family.
Inequalities and disparities in access to infertility treatments like IUI procedure, IVF, test-tube baby, and many others to uneducated, poor, unmarried, marginalized, and unemployed people is a big threat to society.
Addressing infertility can have a positive impact on gender inequality. Though both male and female partners have equal chances of having infertility, mostly only females are blamed for it.
Infertility has a significant negative impact on the lives of infertile couples. There is a social stigma linked with this that causes mental stress, depression, anxiety, emotional disbalance, low self-esteem, and also divorce.
In some cases, the fear of infertility can compel many couples to start a family even before they are ready physically, mentally, and financially.
In all the above-stated situations and many more such situations, it is of utmost need to educate people about infertility. Everyone needs to understand that infertility is not the end, with progress in medical science there are many ways by which people can experience parenthood. The most common and most affordable is the IUI procedure. It has a very high success rate, is easy to perform, and involves the least visit to the clinics. Other assisted reproductive technologies are Invitro fertilization (IVF), and test-tube baby to name a few.
Causes of male infertility
Infertility in males is mainly related to these issues-
- Less effective production of sperms
- Low sperm count
- Shape and size of the sperms
- Movement of the sperm, that includes the motion of the sperms themselves, and the transport of the sperm through the tube of the reproductive system.
Many factors control fertility in men. The main factors are:
There are many different factors which affect fertility in men. The main factors includes but not limited to the following:
Age
Fertility decreases with increasing age. In males, fertility is significantly reduced around the age of 55 years.
Genes
Genetic disorders are one of the many reasons for male infertility. It affects the production of mature sperms, called spermatogenesis. About 2% to 8% of male infertility is due to genetic disorders.
Smoking
It doesn’t matter what you smoke, and how you smoke it is always dangerous for the body. There is not even a single substance in any tobacco products from acetone, tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide that is not extremely harmful. The substances that a smoker inhales does not only affect his lungs but his whole body. Persons who smoke are more prone to infertility and facing other fertility issues than those who do not smoke. Nicotine in cigarettes causes erectile dysfunction in males. It disrupts the flow of blood towards the penis.
Alcohol
Excessive consumption of alcohol causes erectile dysfunction. It can prevent sex hormone production in the male body and lower libido.
Overweight or Obese
It is the main reason for depression in people, and also it is a result of depression. This cycle causes low hormone production of hormones in the body. Infertility is one of the main effects of obesity.
If you are going for any infertility treatment whether it is an IUI procedure, IVF, or another it is necessary that you know the reason for infertility beforehand for a higher success rate.
Medical conditions that cause male infertility
Few medical conditions that cause infertility in males are
Retrograde ejaculation- It is the condition when siemens instead of coming out from the penis enter the bladder. This results in dry ejaculation during orgasms. Though this condition does not require any special medical attention it is always advisable to visit a specialist to discuss this condition when you want to father a child.
Varicocele
This is a medical condition in which veins within the scrotum get enlarged. This condition arises because of the defective valves in the veins of the scrotum just above the testicles. It is one of the main causes of low sperm production and decreased sperm quality that results in infertility.
Undescended testicles
Testicles are male sex hormones. These are responsible for producing male sex hormones and sperms. During the fetal development of a baby boy, the testicles in the abdomen descend into the scrotum. When this does not happen the testicles remain in the abdomen only, this is known as undescended testicles. If remains untreated, this becomes a cause of infertility in males.
Having antibodies that attack sperms and destroy them- Autoimmune disease results in killing the normal cells of the body.
Hormonal imbalance
Testosterone is a male sex hormone. It helps in the development of a man’s sexual behavior, and man’s appearance. Low testosterone level results in low sex drive, difficulty in erection, low semen volume during ejaculation, fatigue, and smaller testicle size. This contributes to male infertility.
Cause of female infertility
Infertility is a disease that causes women to lack fertility or problems in conceiving. In a heterosexual couple, it is one-third because of female infertility, and one-third because of male infertility that successful pregnancy does not take place.
Failure to ovulate
It is one of the most common causes of female infertility. It occurs in 40% of women with infertility.
Lack of ovulation can happen due to the following reasons:
- Due to primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- Due to aging. With the increase in age, the fertility in women decreases. After 40 years of age, it reduces significantly.
- Endocrine gland disorders. Like thyroid disease or problems with the hypothalamus. This results in abnormal hormone production by the body.
- Lifestyle
- Environmental factors
Problems with the menstrual cycle
A regular menstrual cycle is very much needed for healthy reproductive organs in females. Menstruation includes many phases, and problems at any phase lead to irregular or no periods. Irregular and no periods lead to female infertility.
Problems in the structure of the reproductive system
Structural problems in the female reproductive system involve mainly the growth of abnormal tissues in the fallopian tube.
Some common structural issues female reproductive system includes
- Endometriosis. The condition in which the tissues that generally line the inside of the uterus are found in other places. They may be found in the fallopian tubes which results in blocking of the tubes.
- Uterine fibroids. These are the growths that appear within and around the wall of the uterus. Fibroids are not the main cause of infertility in women but some women may not be able to get pregnant naturally. Such women may also have multiple miscarriages or premature babies. IUI procedure is helpful in such infertility cases.
- Polyps. These are the nanocancerous growths on the inside surface of the uterus. Polyps make it hard for women to remain pregnant after conception. It hinders the function of the uterus. Surgery can be helpful in such cases.
- Scares in the uterus. These scars may be due to previous injuries, infections, or surgeries. It has the chance to increase miscarriages and may also interfere with fertilized egg implantation. In this way, it leads to infertility.
- An unusually shaped uterus. This can hinder the ability to carry a pregnancy as the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus only. This condition can also affect implantation.
Infections
Untreated infections due to gonorrhea and chlamydia in women can lead to pelvic inflammatory diseases. This causes scarring that blocks the fallopian tubes. Untreated syphilis increases the risk of stillbirth in pregnant women.
Long-time infections in the cervix and surgical treatment of cervical lesions related to Human papillomavirus(HPV) infection can reduce the amount and quality of the cervical mucus to a great extent. Change in the quality of cervical mucus in the vagina makes it difficult for women to get pregnant.
Lack of mature eggs
Eggs in the female ovary are matured every month and one egg released every month from any of the two ovaries which results in the menstrual cycle. Mature eggs are needed for fertilization that later results in pregnancy. Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS), lack of protein to develop eggs, and obesity are the main reasons for the lack of mature eggs in the female body. An immature egg may not reach the fallopian tube on time, or may not even come out of the ovaries.
Females with PCOS have very high chances of getting pregnant by IUI procedure.
Implantation failure
The fertilized egg is needed to be implanted in the uterine wall to convert into pregnancy. But due to failures in implantation because of many reasons a successful pregnancy is not possible.
Implantation failure can be due to any of the following reason and other reasons also
- Genetic defects in the fertilized egg, the embryo
- Thinner endometrium
- Endometriosis
- Resistance to progesterone
- Scarred tissue in the endometrial cavity
Endometriosis
In this condition, the tissues that line the uterine cavity are found outside it. It is found that about 25% to 30% of women facing infertility have endometriosis, and 30% to 40% of women with endometriosis are infertile.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
PCOS is the most common cause of infertility in women. It is mainly found in females during their reproductive age i.e., 16 years to 45 years. IUI procedure is one of the most successful infertility treatments in women with PCOS. It results in irregular periods or a total lack of periods. In PCOS there are many cysts formed in the ovaries due to the absence of a regular menstrual cycle. Eggs are unable to mature because of the abundance of the male hormone, androgen in the female body. The primary effect of PCOS is infertility and secondary effects include loss or thinning of hair on the head, growth of facial hair, growth of unwanted hair on the body, weight gain, and acne.
Autoimmune disorder
Autoimmune disorder causes the immune system to kill the normal body tissues that normally it will not attack. Diseases such as Lupus, Hashimoto’s, and other types of thyroiditis, or rheumatoid arthritis result in a decrease in fertility. The exact reasons for the autoimmune disorder are not fully understood till now. inflammation in the uterus and placenta is due to this. This disease results in decreased infertility in both men and women.
Other causes of female infertility are Uterine fibroids and Primary Ovary insufficiency.
Infertility treatments
If you and your partner tried to get pregnant and failed, you can seek the following treatments.
Fertility treatments for males
Infertility can be treated in a variety of ways, depending on the cause. Treatment options for men may include surgery, medications, and fertility technology.
Surgery can overcome obstacles that prevent sperm from being present in ejaculation. It can also correct conditions such as varicose veins. In some cases, sperm can be obtained directly from the testicles, which can then be used in ART treatment.
Medications can be used to treat problems such as hormonal imbalances. They can also be used to treat other conditions that can affect male fertility, such as ED or an infection that affects sperm count.
ART refers to the treatments in which eggs and sperm are processed outside the body.
Fertility treatment for females
Treatment of female infertility may also include surgery, medications, and fertility aids such as ART. Sometimes some type of treatment is needed to help deal with female infertility.
Although surgery can sometimes be used to treat female infertility, it is now rarer due to advances in other fertility treatments.
Fertility support may include methods such as Intrauterine insemination(IUI procedure) and ART. In the IUI procedure, millions of sperm are injected into a woman’s uterus near the time of ovulation. The IUI procedure can be medicated and non-medicated based on the need of the person. It can also be done using donor sperms if the male partner’s sperms are not good for fertilization or it is a case of single mothers or same-sex partners. IUI has a higher success rate for females who are in the age group of 22 years to 30 years. Females with PCOS have higher chances of a successful IUI process. It is a relatively painless, affordable, and more successful treatment for young couples. A couple should go for 5 to 6 cycles of the IUI procedure before switching to any other treatment like IVF. IVF is a type of ART and involves the removal of an egg that is then fertilized with a man’s sperm in a laboratory. Once fertilization is achieved, the embryo is placed in the uterus by an expert.
How to increase the chances of a successful IUI procedure?
By following the below-mentioned daily routines, one can ensure a higher IUI procedure success rate.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the insertion of small, thin needles into various points on the body. It is believed that these points can help stimulate the body’s energy flow. There is no conclusive evidence to support acupuncture as a treatment for infertility but it was adopted by many to increase IUI procedure rates. A recent review found a reliable source of numerous clinical trials that acupuncture can improve both ovulation and menstruation in women with PCOS.
Yoga
Yoga includes postures and breathing techniques to encourage relaxation and reduce stress levels. Studies on yoga as a treatment for infertility are limited. However, it is believed that practicing yoga may be beneficial in relieving stress that may be associated with a higher success rate of the IUI procedure.
Vitamins A
A variety of vitamins and minerals can be beneficial in promoting fertility. Things to watch out for include: folate zinc vitamin C vitamin E iron. You may also consider other supplements such as probiotics that promote healthy digestion and improve overall health. Discover other foods that can help you conceive.
Tea
Research into the effects of these tea formulations on fertility is extremely limited. However, a recent review found that the antioxidant compounds found in green tea can aid fertility by improving parameters such as sperm count and motility.
Infertility and IUI procedure go hand in hand. There are many reasons for male and female infertility. IUI has a higher success rate if adopted at the right time. It is affordable, painless, and more convenient.
