One of the medical conditions that can happen for both men and women is infertility. Infertility means the inability to conceive after a long time, which is considered at least one year. Although many people think it is a rare condition, it can happen to various couples. It is estimated that about 10-15% of couples worldwide experience infertility. So, Female & Male infertility is a common global health concern. Let’s know what infertility is exactly and its types.
What Is Infertility?
Infertility means the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse. Infertility is common among both men and women, and it can affect various couples. Research has shown that infertility can have many reasons. Moreover, it can also be linked to the genetic situation of the men or women. Additionally, infertility is different among women and men. For men, infertility is explained through low sperm count, poor sperm motility, and even abnormal sperm morphology. It can also be a genetic condition.
What Is Infertility?
For women, infertility is described as ovulation disorders, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, or age-related declines in egg quality. So, in general, infertility is more common than you think, and it varies among women and men.
Female & Male Infertility Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of infertility in women and men are different. Infertility symptoms in women can include pelvic or abdominal pain, irregular vaginal bleeding, irregular periods or no periods at all, penile disorders, or issues with ejaculation.
Pain during sex and no pregnancy after one year of trying are also a symptom of female infertility. Male infertility symptoms include conceiving difficulties or trying for a year and getting no results, and changes in sexual function such as reduced sexual desire or swelling in testicles. Moreover, abnormal semen characteristics such as low sperm count and poor sperm motility are also signs of male infertility.
Female & Male Infertility Causes
As its signs and symptoms are different, the causes are also varied from one another. Male infertility causes are generally linked to issues such as sperm production issues and genetic factors. Issues like low sperm count, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm morphology, and azoospermia are the main causes of male infertility linked to sperm production issues. But what are these terms actually?
- Poor Sperm Motility: This term refers to the movement of sperm, which can reduce their ability to reach and fertilize an egg.
- Low Sperm Count: low sperm count means fewer sperm than a normal ratio in the ejaculation.
- Abnormal Sperm Morphology: The irregular shape or structure of sperm is called abnormal sperm morphology, and it can affect their function.
- Azoospermia: It is the absence of sperm in the ejaculate due to blockages or other sperm production issues.
Female & Male Infertility Causes
Following the causes of infertility among men, we reach the female infertility causes, which are a little bit more complex than men. Female Infertility Causes are often linked to ovulation disorders. For example, polycystic ovary syndrome in women, hypothalamic dysfunction, premature ovarian insufficiency, and hyperprolactinemia are some of the issues that are related to ovulation disorders. Moreover, damage to the fallopian tube or blockages can also cause infertility in women.
Some women can also experience Unexplained Infertility, which there isn’t a specific cause for the issue. Common causes of infertility among both women and men are genetic factors, age factors, and lifestyle modifications, which can be the main reason for infertility in some cases.
Female & Male Infertility Test
The first thing to do is planning to see a doctor. Male infertility tests will usually assess the sperm and their function, along with reproductive health. The main test for male infertility is a semen analysis, which is a semen sample analyzed in a lab to check its numbers, motility, shape, volume, and pH. Hormone testing, genital ultrasounds, and genetic testing are also some of the ways to diagnose infertility among men.
Female infertility tests are also interesting. First, we should know that fertility in women begins to decrease after 30. After trying for one year, women below 35 can visit the doctor for infertility, and women over 35 can visit the doctor after 6 months of trying to conceive.
Some of the tests that your doctor can approve for a female infertility test include an examination of the pelvic area, ovulation testing using blood tests or ovulation predictor kits, and using ultrasound to examine the ovaries and uterus.
Female & Male Infertility Treatment
The main treatment for female or male infertility starts with questions about the cause, age, and overall health of the body. Male infertility treatments are categorized into different sections and can include surgery, medication, and lastly, assisted reproductive technology, known as ART.
Surgery and medications can treat issues such as sperm blockage and hormonal imbalances. Assisted reproductive technology or ART can handle eggs and sperm outside the body and can include using other ways such as In Vitro Fertilization and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection.
Female & Male Infertility Treatment
Female Infertility treatment options will also include several ways. As for male infertility treatments, different methods such as surgery, medications, and assisted reproductive technology can also be used for females.
Surgery for female infertility treatment is mainly used for correcting an abnormally shaped uterus or unblocking the fallopian tubes, as it can cause female infertility. Medications are handy for hormonal imbalances and are the best choice for female infertility causes that are linked to hormonal changes. ART is also common for female infertility, with different methods such as IUI (intrauterine insemination) and IVF.
Natural Treatments for Female & Male Infertility
Interestingly, there is a natural treatment for female and male infertility. The most important natural treatment for female & male infertility is a healthy diet and nutrition. Using fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can improve your reproductive health, and sugar, refined carbs, and trans fats can disrupt your hormonal balance. Having a healthy weight, reducing stress, doing regular exercises, yoga, and quitting smoke and alcohol are also some of the treatments that can be used to avoid infertility. Herbal supplements such as maca root, red clover, and ginseng are also very good for female & male infertility.
How to Prevent Infertility?
If you want to prevent infertility, regular exercise and yoga are the things that should get into your daily routine. Along with these activities, following a healthy diet will also improve your health. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are the enemies of the body and can decrease your reproductive health a lot. So, removing these from your life will also be a good prevention of infertility. Managing stress, limiting caffeine, and staying hydrated are also some of the ways to prevent any type of infertility for both men and women.
Infertility Test
Facts about Infertility
- Approximately 10-15% of couples globally have infertility problems.
- About 10-30% of infertility cases have no specific reasons and are identified as Unexplained Infertility.
- Fertility in women begins to decline very rapidly after 35 and 40.
- Infertility is not untreatable, and many causes of infertility can be treated with different methods.
- Infertility is not always among women, as nearly 50 percent of the cases are attributed to men.
- Female & Male Infertility can have emotional impacts and even cause emotional problems for couples.
- Smoking can reduce fertility in women and men by up to 25-30%.
- In many cultures, infertility is stigmatized.
Final Words
Overall, female & male infertility is a worldwide concern and happens to a lot of couples. Female & male infertility can be linked to a wide variety of factors, and sometimes it can be genetic. Infertility can cause emotional and mental problems as it is a deeply personal issue and a difficult matter to discuss for many couples. Nevertheless, by raising awareness about infertility, we can help a lot of couples to be open about this problem and seek accessible care to overcome infertility.
