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Did you know that one in six couples face infertility issues? For many, having healthy babies is a cherished dream, as today’s children are the leaders of tomorrow. Infertility, whether in males or females, can be disheartening. Fortunately, advancements in medical science offer new and effective treatments to help couples conceive by identifying and addressing core issues. Read on to discover more about infertility, its causes, treatment options, and why Dubai is an excellent destination for top-notch infertility care.
What is Infertility?
In general terms, infertility means the inability to get pregnant (conceive) even after regular unprotected sex. More specifically, there are two types of reproductive infertility: Primary infertility refers to couples who have not been able to conceive after at least one year of regular, unprotected sex. Secondary infertility refers to couples who have been able to conceive in the past but now face challenges in getting pregnant again.
What are the Causes of Infertility in Women?
Women can lack the ability to conceive due to many reasons, one of which is anovulation. Anovulation is when your ovaries do not release the egg during a menstrual cycle. While occasional anovulation is not a significant cause of concern, chronically having this problem generally leads to infertility.
Anovulation
Several reasons or issues can contribute to anovulation. Here is a brief overview of some of them.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): It is one of the most common reasons for infertility in women. This condition is characterized by the inability to ovulate or ovulate irregularly. This problem is linked to heightened testosterone levels. PCOS is also associated with insulin resistance, obesity, and other hormonal imbalances.
Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA): This problem is generally caused by significant emotional stress, excessive weight loss, eating disorder, or strenuous physical activity.
Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR): Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) refers to fewer eggs produced than expected at a particular time. This problem may occur due to undergoing medical treatments like chemotherapy, surgeries for endometriosis or ovarian cysts, congenital, or other reasons.
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI): This condition generally occurs when a woman’s ovaries fail before she turns 40. While certain medical conditions and treatments like chemotherapy and pelvic radiation therapy have been shown to cause POI, the exact reason for this issue remains unknown in most cases. POI can also be associated with genetic factors (like Turner syndrome) and autoimmune disorders.
Menopause: Menopause is when a woman’s menstrual cycle ends. This usually happens at the age of 50-51. A woman is generally said to be in menopause when she hasn’t had a period for around twelve months.
Problems with the Fallopian Tubes and Uterus
Infertility is also caused by issues other than the ones that lead to anovulation. For example:
Structural problems in the reproductive system: Abnormal tissue growth in the uterus or fallopian tubes is one of the most common structural issues leading to infertility in women. These growths hamper the movement of eggs, preventing sperm from reaching those eggs for fertilization. And growths in the uterus affect implantation. These growths include endometriosis, polyps, uterine fibroids, and scarring in the uterus. An unusually shaped uterus can also cause infertility.
Infections: Pelvic inflammatory disease in women can lead to blocked fallopian tubes, affecting fertility. Specific infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, leading to infertility. Sexually transmitted infections can also affect a woman’s ability to conceive.
Autoimmune disorders: Problems like Hashimoto’s, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or thyroiditis can cause infertility in women. Autoimmune disorders can cause infertility through mechanisms like inflammation, disruption of hormonal balances, and interference with implantation.\
Infertility in Men
Infertility is not just a female problem; some couples cannot conceive due to problems with their male partners. Men’s infertility typically stems from issues with sperm production, function, or delivery. These issues may include hormonal imbalance, dilated veins around the testicles, and congenital problems.
Problems that may contribute to male infertility include
- Illnesses
- Chronic health conditions
- Injuries
- Lifestyles
- Several other factors
Symptoms of Infertility in Men
Infertility in men often goes asymptomatic. However, some signs may occur occasionally. For example:
- Reduced sexual function – such as difficulty ejaculating, erectile dysfunction, or reduced libido
- Swelling, pain, or growths in the testicular region
- Gynecomastia, or increased breast size
- Lower sperm count (generally diagnosed during a lab test)
Note: Consult a physician if you notice any of these symptoms. You should see a doctor if you haven’t conceived after a year of unprotected sexual intercourse.
Infertility Testing and Diagnosing
Several tests may be performed to determine the cause of infertility. Factors that are generally analyzed in this regard include the following:
Your doctor may ask you to check your basal body temperature for a few days to determine if you are ovulating. An increase in temperature is generally an indirect indication of ovulation. You may also use an ovulation predictor kit at home. Moreover, your doctor may check your hormonal levels during your menstrual cycle.
Fallopian Tubes: The doctor may inject dye into your fallopian tubes and uterus and take an X-ray test to determine whether your fallopian tubes are open. Or, they may inject a salt-water solution and view your uterus and tubes through ultrasound.
Cervix: The doctor may ask you to submit a sample of cervical fluid extracted after intercourse. They will examine this fluid to see whether your cervix allows easy passage of sperm.
Uterus: Your doctor may examine the shape of your uterus through HSG or hysterosalpingogram. Alternatively, they may insert a device called a hysteroscope into your cervix through the vagina. And in some cases, they may take a biopsy sample of your uterine lining to check its readiness for embryo implantation.
Female Infertility Treatments
Infertility in females can stem from various factors, including ovulatory disorders, fallopian tube damage, endometriosis, and uterine abnormalities. Treatment options are tailored to address these specific issues:
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART):
In vitro fertilization (IVF): During this treatment, the egg is fertilized outside the body with sperm and is placed into the womb. The doctor may give you fertility medicine to encourage ovulation prior to extracting the eggs.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI): This procedure is also called artificial insemination. It involves inserting a thin tube into the womb through the cervix to place sperm, inducing pregnancy.
Surgical Treatments
Various surgical procedures are available to help couples conceive. Those procedures include the following:
Fallopian tube surgery: This treatment is provided to women with blocked or scarred fallopian tubes. During surgery, the scar tissue is broken up to allow easy passage of the eggs.
Laparoscopy: Laparoscopic surgical treatment is generally provided to women with endometriosis, fibroids, or PCOS. The surgeon uses heat or laser energy to destroy problematic tissue during this treatment.
Ovulation Induction
Medications like Clomiphene Citrate and Letrozole stimulate ovulation in women with ovulatory disorders.
Lifestyle Modifications
Weight management, proper nutrition, and stress reduction can improve fertility outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or other lifestyle-related fertility issues.
Infertility Treatments for Males
Male infertility can result from factors such as low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or structural abnormalities. Here is the list of the treatments designed to address the concerned infertility issue in men:
Medications
Hormonal treatments or medications like Clomiphene Citrate can improve sperm production and quality in cases of hormonal imbalances.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg during IVF, which is particularly useful for severe male infertility.
Surgery to Correct Epididymal Blockage
This treatment is provided to men with blocked epididymis – the coil-like structure that stores and transports sperm. This blockage prevents the release of sperm, causing infertility.
Sperm Retrieval Techniques
Techniques such as testicular sperm extraction (TESE) are used in cases where sperm is absent in the ejaculate but present in the testes.
Lifestyle Changes
Improving diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and reducing stress can significantly improve sperm quality.
Does IVF Affect a Baby’s Gender?
IVF alone does not determine or select the baby’s gender. However, specific diagnostic measures, such as Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) or Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A), can be included in the IVF procedure to identify XX or XY chromosomes in an embryo. This allows the selection of embryos of a specific gender, depending on the couple’s choice and where legal regulations permit gender selection.
Call to Action
Euromed Clinic has helped dozens of couples cope with infertility issues. If you or your partner is facing difficulties conceiving, get our help now. Our experienced gynecologists, equipped with cutting-edge technologies and supported by a dexterous team, are waiting for you. Please fill out and submit the provided form or call us at +971 4 394 5422.
