What is Infertility?

Infertility is the inability of a couple to conceive. Both the partners contribute to infertility. Female partners contribute 40-55% cases of infertility and male partners contribute 20-40% of cases. Actual cause of infertility in 10% is sometimes not known.

Having a child is a blessing and an important aspect in our society. Infertility is when a woman is not able to conceive or get pregnant. Many women struggle with maintaining pregnancies. It is a difficult condition to deal with.

Multiple studies have found that infertility in both men and women often increases their stress, depression and anxiety that causes them to stressed out.

Stress doesn’t cause infertility but infertility often causes stress. Couples face this life struggle together and should always remember that this painful period will pass, yet coping and persevering can be stressful.

The emotional sufferings of both partners can affect their relationship. Although either men or women can experience infertility, women in a relationship suffer more from it, regardless of whether they are infertile or not.

Basic investigations in infertility:

1. Semen analysis
2. Ovulation test
3. Tubal patency test

Abnormalities in the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes and the endocrine system causes infertility in the female reproductive system. Ovulation disorders appear to be the most common cause of infertility in women. It is the monthly release of an egg.

What causes ovulation disorders?

1. Premature ovarian failure– The ovaries stop working before the age of 40 years.
2. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)– The ovaries function abnormally and ovulation may not occur.
3. Hyperprolactinemia– If prolactin levels are high, and the woman is not pregnant or breastfeeding, it may affect ovulation and fertility.
4. Poor egg quality– Damaged or genetically abnormal eggs cannot sustain a pregnancy. The older a woman is, the higher the risk.
5. Thyroid problems– An overactive or underactive thyroid gland can lead to a hormonal imbalance.

Causes of female infertility

1. Blocked fallopian tubes– which are in turn caused by untreated sexually transmitted infections or complications of unsafe abortion, postpartum sepsis or pelvic surgery.
2. Uterine disorders– which could be inflammatory in nature (such as endometriosis), congenital in nature (such as septate uterus) or benign in nature (such as fibroids). Intramural fibroid, if it distorts the cavity. A non distorting intramural fibroid > 5 cm can lead to infertility.
3. Disorders of the ovaries– such as polycystic ovary disease and other follicular disorders.
4. Disorders of the endocrine system causing imbalances of reproductive hormones. The endocrine system includes the hypothalamus and the pituitary glands. Examples of common disorders affecting this system include pituitary cancers and hypopituitarism.
5. Ovarian failure- ovarian failure due to premature menopause or primary ovarian insufficiency.

Causes of male infertility

1. Obstruction of the reproductive tract causing dysfunctionalities in the ejection of semen. 
2. Hormonal disorders leading to abnormalities in hormones produced by the pituitary gland, hypothalamus and testicles.
3. Abnormal sperm function and quality.

Fertility drugs for women

Fertility drugs are prescribed to regulate or induce ovulation.

1. Clomifene– Clomifene encourages ovulation in those who ovulate irregularly because of PCOS or any other disorder. It makes the pituitary gland release more follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
2. Metformin– If Clomifene is not effective, metformin may help women with PCOS, especially when linked to insulin resistance.
3. Human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG)– This contains both FSH and LH. Patients who do not ovulate because of pituitary gland may get this drug as an injection.
4. Follicle-stimulating hormone– Pituitary gland produces this hormone that controls estrogen production from the ovaries. It stimulates the ovaries to mature egg follicles.
5. Human chorionic gonadotropin– when used together with clomiphene, hMG and FSH, can stimulate the follicle to ovulate.
6. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone– These can help women who ovulate before the lead follicle is mature during hMG treatment. It delivers a constant supply of Gn-RH to the pituitary gland, which alters the production of hormone, allowing the doctor to induce follicle growth with FSH.
7. Bromocriptine– This drug inhibits prolactin production. Prolactin stimulates milk production during breastfeeding. Women with high levels of prolactin may have irregular ovulation cycles and fertility problems.

A doctor can advise and carry out some preliminary tests. It is better for a couple to seek the doctor’s advice together. Couples have the right to decide the number, timing and spacing of their children. Addressing it is therefore an important part of realizing the right of individuals and couples to start a family.

Recognizing the importance and impact of infertility on people’s quality of life and well-being, H & Care Incorp, PCD pharma franchise company, is committed towards the provision of fertility care products as one of the core of reproductive health addressing infertility. Infertility has negative social impacts on the lives of infertile couples and particularly women, but its cure is also possible with the help of available hormonal supplements and many advanced technologies.