Infertility causes

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Category: Infertility causes

Infertility is a "disease of the reproductive system defined as the absence of clinical pregnancy after 12 or more months of regular unprotected intercourses" (WHO, World Health Organization). Percentage of population with this problem is ranging between  7% and 26%. Infertility can be equally caused by both male and female factor. The causes may be present in both partners, or may remain unknown even with modern medicine methods (idiopathic infertility).

Male factor means reduced sperm count, their poor mobility or reduced number of normal sperm forms. Causes of that can be varicose veins in testicle (varicocele), undescended testicles, hormonal disorders (e.g. lack of testosterone), infection (e.g. mumps, Chlamydia and mycoplasma infections), genetic reasons (e.g.  Klinefelter syndrome), immunological (antibodies to sperm), chemotherapy, lack of some vitamins, alcohol, smoking, stress, harmful chemicals and more.

Female factor can be much more complicated and include reduced or unpredictable ovulation (due to hormonal disorders, polycystic ovaries or age), impossibility  of arrival of ova or sperm to the uterus (blocked fallopian tubes, antibody to sperm) or a reduced ability of  implantation of  the embryo (deformation of the uterus, endometriosis and immunological problems). Sometimes there are more factors.