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Infertility
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Infertility is the inability to naturally conceive a child or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term. There are many reasons why a couple may not be able to conceive, or may not be able to conceive without medical assistance. (Note: although some aspects of this article may be generalizable, it deals primarily with infertility as pertains to human couples.)

Contents [hide]
1 Definition
2 Causes
2.1 Primary vs. secondary
2.2 Female infertility
2.3 Male infertility
2.4 Combined infertility
2.5 Unexplained infertility
3 Symptoms and Signs
3.1 Male Infertility
3.2 Female Infertility
4 Diagnosis & Tests
4.1 Male Infertility
4.2 Female Infertility
5 Treatment
6 Prevention & Expectations
6.1 Male Infertility
6.2 Female Infertility
7 Costs
8 Ethics
9 Psychological impact
10 Social impact
11 Notes
12 Sources
13 References
14 External links
15 See also



[edit]
Definition
The International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination (INCIID) considers a couple to be infertile if1:

they have not conceived after 12 months of unprotected intercourse, or after 6 months if the woman is over 35 years of age. The reduced duration for women over 35 is because there is a rapid decline in fertility after this age and help should be sought sooner.
there is incapability to carry a pregnancy to term.
Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples. Roughly 40% of cases involve a male contribution or factor, 40% involve a female factor, and the remainder involve both sexes.

Healthy couples in their mid-20s having regular sex have a one-in-four chance of getting pregnant in any given month. This is called "Fecundity".

[edit]
Causes
This section deals with unintentional causes of sterility. For more information about surgical techniques for preventing procreation, see sterilization.

[edit]
Primary vs. secondary
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, infertility affects about 6.1 million people in the U.S., equivalent to ten percent of the reproductive age population. Female infertility accounts for one third of infertility cases, male infertility for another third, combined male and female infertility for another 15%, and the remainder of cases are "unexplained"2.

A Robertsonian translocation in either partner may cause recurrent abortions or complete infertility.

"Secondary infertility" is difficulty conceiving after already having conceived and carried a normal pregnancy. Apart from various medical conditions (e.g. hormonal), this may come as a result of age and stress felt to provide a sibling for their first child. Technically, secondary infertility is not present if there has been a change of partners.

[edit]
Female infertility
Factors relating to female infertility are:

General factors
Diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, adrenal disease
Significant liver, kidney disease
Psychological factors
Hypothalamic-pituitary factors:
Kallmann syndrome
Hypothalamic dysfunction
Hyperprolactinemia
Hypopituitarism
Ovarian factors
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Anovulation
Diminished ovarian reserve
Luteal dysfunction
Premature menopause
Gonadal dysgenesis (Turner syndrome)
Ovarian neoplasm
Tubal/peritoneal factors
Endometriosis
Pelvic adhesions
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID, usually due to chlamydia)
Tubal occlusion
Uterine factors
Uterine malformations
Uterine fibroids (leiomyoma)
Asherman's Syndrome
Cervical factors
Cervical stenosis
Antisperm antibodies
Insufficient cervical mucus (for the travel and survival of sperm)
Vaginal factors
Vaginismus
Vaginal obstruction
Genetic factors
Various intersexed conditions, such as androgen insensitivity syndrome
[edit]
Male infertility
Factors relating to male infertility include3:

Pretesticular causes
Endocrine problems, i.e. diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders
Hypothalamic disorders, i.e. Kallmann syndrome
Hyperprolactinemia
Hypopituitarism
Hypogonadism due to various causes
Psychological factors
Drugs, alcohol
Testicular factors
Genetic defects on the Y chromosome
Y chromosome microdeletions
Abnormal set of chromosomes
Klinefelter syndrome
Neoplasm, e.g. seminoma
Idiopathic failure
Cryptorchidism
Varicocele
Trauma
Hydrocele
Mumps
Testicular dysgenesis syndrome
Posttesticular causes
Vas deferens obstruction
Infection, e.g. prostatitis
Retrograde ejaculation
Hypospadias
Impotence
Some causes of male infertility can be determined by analysis of the ejaculate, which contains the sperm. The analysis includes counting the number of sperm and measuring their motility under a microscope:

Producing few sperm, oligospermia, or no sperm, azoospermia.
A sample of sperm that is normal in number but shows poor motility, or asthenozoospermia.
In the majority of cases of male infertility and low sperm quality, no clear cause can be identified with current diagnostic methods. It has been speculated that random mutations of the Y chromosome may be an important factor. As the human Y chromosome is passed directly from father to son, it is not protected against accumulating copying errors, whereas other chromosomes are error corrected by recombining genetic information from mother and father. This may leave natural selection as the primary repair mechanism for the Y chromosome. Microdeletions in the Y chromosome have been found at a much higher rate in infertile men than in fertile controls and the correlation found may still go up as improved genetic testing techniques for the Y chromosome are developed. (Existing test kits for Y chromosome microdeletions with PCR markers cover only a tiny fraction of the chromosome's 23 million base pairs and therefore very likely still miss most mutations. The gold standard test for genetic mutation, namely complete DNA sequencing of a patient's Y chromosome, is still far too expensive for use in epidemiologic research or even clinical diagnostics.)

[edit]
Combined infertility
In some cases, both the man and woman may be infertile or sub-fertile, and the couple's infertility arises from the combination of these conditions. In other cases, the cause is suspected to be immunological or genetic; it may be that each partner is independently fertile but the couple cannot conceive together without assistance.

[edit]
Unexplained infertility
In about 15% of cases the infertility investigation will show no abnormalities. In these cases abnormalities are likely to be present but not detected by current methods. Possible problems could be that the egg is not released at the optimum time for fertilization, that it may not enter the fallopian tube, sperm may not be able to reach the egg, fertilization may fail to occur, transport of the zygote may be disturbed, or implantation fails. It is increasingly recognized that egg quality is of critical importance and women of advanced maternal age have eggs of reduced capacity for normal and successful fertilization.

[edit]
Symptoms and Signs
[edit]
Male Infertility
The history should include prior testicular insults (torsion, cryptorchidism, trauma), infections (mumps orchitis, epididymitis), environmental factors (excessive heat, radiation, chemotherapy), medications (anabolic steroids, cimetidine, and spironolactone may affect spermatogenesis; phenytoin may lower FSH; sulfasalazine and nitrofurantoin affect sperm motility), and drugs (alcohol, marijuana). Sexual habits, frequency and timing of intercourse, use of lubricants, and each partner's previous fertility experiences are important. Loss of libido and headaches or visual disturbances may indicate a pituitary tumor. The past medical or surgical history may reveal thyroid or liver disease (abnormalities of spermatogenesis), diabetic neuropathy (retrograde ejaculation), radical pelvic or retroperitoneal surgery (absent seminal emission secondary to sympathetic nerve injury), or hernia repair (damage to the vas deferens or testicular blood supply).

[edit]
Female Infertility
Female infertility occurs when the woman does not conceive after one year of attempting to become pregnant. Other signs and symptoms depend on the underlying cause of the woman's infertility.

[edit]
Diagnosis & Tests
[edit]
Male Infertility
The diagnosis of infertility begins with a medical history and physical exam. The provider may order blood tests to look for hormone imbalances or disease. A semen sample may be needed. The volume of the semen is measured, as well as the number of sperm in the sample. How well the sperm move is also assessed.

The cornerstone of the male partner evaluation is the history. It should note the duration of infertility, earlier pregnancies with present or past partners, and whether there was previous difficulty with conception.

A complete examination of the infertile male is important to identify general health issues associated with infertility. For example, the patient should be adequately virilized; signs of decreased body hair or gynecomastia may suggest androgen deficiency.

The scrotal contents should be carefully palpated with the patient standing. As it is often psychologically uncomfortable for young men to be examined, one helpful hint is to make the examination as efficient and as matter of fact as possible.

The peritesticular area should also be examined. Irregularities of the epididymis, located posterior-lateral to the testis, include induration, tenderness, or cysts.

[edit]
Female Infertility
Diagnosis of infertility begins with a medical history and physical exam. The healthcare provider may order tests, including the following:

an endometrial biopsy, which tests the lining of the uterus
hormone testing, to measure levels of female hormones
laparoscopy, which allows the provider to see the pelvic organs
ovulation testing, which detects the release of an egg from the ovary
Pap smear, to check for signs of infection
pelvic exam, to look for abnormalities or infection
a postcoital test, which is done after sex to check for problems with secretions
special X-ray tests
[edit]
Treatment
Fertility medication which stimulates the ovaries to "ripen" and release eggs (e.g. clomifene citrate, which stimulates ovulation)
Surgery to restore patency of obstructed fallopian tubes (tuboplasty)
Donor insemination which involves the woman being artificially inseminated with donor sperm.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) in which eggs are removed from the woman, fertilized and then placed in the woman's uterus, bypassing the fallopian tubes. Variations on IVF include:
Use of donor eggs and/or sperm in IVF. This happens when a couple's eggs and/or sperm are unusable, or to avoid passing on a genetic disease.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg; the fertilized egg is then placed in the woman's uterus as in IVF.
Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) in which eggs are removed from the woman, fertilized and then placed in the woman's fallopian tubes rather than the uterus.
Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) in which eggs are removed from the woman, and placed in one of the fallopian tubes, along with the man's sperm. This allows fertilization to take place inside the woman's body.
Other assisted reproductive technology (ART):
Assisted hatching
Fertility preservation
Freezing (cryopreservation) of sperm, eggs, & reproductive tissue
Frozen embryo transfer (FET)
Alternative and complimetary treatments
Acupuncture Recent controlled trials published in Fertility and Sterility have shown acupuncture to increase the success rate of IVF by as much as 60%. Acupuncture was also reported to be effective in the treatment of female anovular infertility, World Health Organisation, Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Trials (2002).
Diet and supplements
Healthy lifestyle
[edit]
Prevention & Expectations
[edit]
Male Infertility
Some cases of male infertility may be avoided by doing the following:

Avoid drugs and medications known to cause fertility problems.
Avoid excessive exercise.
Avoid exposure to environmental hazards such as pesticides.
Avoid frequent hot baths or use of hot tubs.
Avoid tight underwear or pants.
Eat a diet with adequate folic acid.
Get early treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.
Have regular physical examinations to detect early signs of infections or abnormalities.
Keep diseases, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism, under control.
Practice safer sex to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.
Take a lycopene supplement.
Wear protection over the scrotum during athletic activities.
Although more research needs to be done, parents may want to consider alternatives to disposable diapers for male infants.

[edit]
Female Infertility
Some cases of female infertility may be prevented by taking the following steps:

Avoid excessive exercise.
Avoid smoking.
Control diseases such as diabetes and hypothyroidism
Follow good weight management guidelines.
Get early treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.
Have regular physical examinations to detect early signs of infections or abnormalities.
Limit caffeine and alcohol intake.
Practice stress management.
Use birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancy and abortions.
[edit]
Costs
Not everyone in the U.S. has insurance coverage for fertility investigations and treatments, especially when a couple already has children. Many states are starting to mandate coverage.

2005 approximate treatment/diagnosis costs (United States, costs in US$):

Initial workup: hysteroscopy, hysterosalpingogram, blood tests ~$2,000
Artificial insemination ~ $500- 900 per. trial
Sonohysterogram (SHG) ~ $600 - 1,000
Clomiphene citrate cycle ~ $ 200 - 500
IVF cycle ~ $10,000 -14,000
Use of a surrogate mother to carry the child - dependent on arrangements
Another way to look at costs is to determine the cost of establishing a pregnancy. Thus if a clomiphene treatment has a chance to establish a pregnancy in 8% of cycles and costs $500, it will cost ~ $6,000 to establish a pregnancy, compared to an IVF cycle (cycle fecundity 40%) with a corresponding cost of ($12,000/40%) $30,000.

In the UK all patients have the right to preliminary testing, provided free of charge by the National Health Service. However, treatment is not widely available on the NHS and there can be long waiting lists. Most patients therefore seek help from private clinics4.

[edit]
Ethics
There are many ethical issues associated with infertility and its treatment.

High-cost treatments are out of financial reach for some couples.
Debate over whether health insurance companies should be forced to cover infertility treatment.
The legal status of embryos fertilized in vitro and not transferred in vivo.
Pro-life opposition to the destruction of embryos not transferred in vivo.
IVF and other fertility treatments have resulted in an increase in multiple births, provoking ethical analysis because of the link between multiple pregnancies, premature birth, and a host of health problems.
Religious leaders' instructions on fertility treatments.
Infertility caused by DNA defects on the Y chromosome is passed on from father to son. If natural selection is the primary error correction mechanism that prevents random mutations on the Y chromosome, then fertility treatments for men with abnormal sperm (in particular ICSI) only defer the underlying problem to the next male generation.
[edit]
Psychological impact
Infertility may have profound psychological effects. Partners may become more anxious to conceive, ironically increasing sexual dysfunction. Marital discord often develops in infertile couples, especially when they are under pressure to make medical decisions. Women trying to conceive often have clinical depression rates similar to women who have heart disease or cancer5.

[edit]
Social impact
In many cultures, inability to conceive bears a stigma. In closed social groups, a degree of rejection (or a sense of being rejected by the couple) may cause considerable anxiety and disappointment.

There are also legal ramifications as well. Infertility has begun to gain more exposure to legal domains. An estimated 4 million workers in the U.S. used the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in 2004 to care for a child, parent or spouse, or because of their own personal illness. Many treatments for infertility, including diagnostic tests, surgery and therapy for depression, can qualify one for FMLA leave.

[edit]
Notes
Note 1: International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination (INCIID) (FAQ)
Note 2: American Society for Reproductive Medicine (FAQ)
Note 3: Rowe PJ, Comhaire FH, Hargreave TB, Mahmoud AMA. WHO Manual for the Standardized Investigation, Diagnosis and Management of the Infertile Male. Cambridge University Press, 2000. ISBN 0521774748.
Note 4: Infertility Treatment, NHS Direct Online (NHS Direct Online Health Enyclopaedia)
Note 5: Domar AD, Zuttermeister PC, Friedman R. The psychological impact of infertility: a comparison with patients with other medical conditions. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 1993;14 Suppl:45-52. PMID 8142988.
[edit]
Sources
Male Infertility from Armenian Medical Network

Female Infertility

Male Infertility

2006-08-18 21:42:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

If you have done sex 10 times then you won't get a baby because you have received a lot of 10 sperms and those 10 sperms are well invalid for only one egg.....well that's only if you are 16 and older. If you are below 16 of age then you are just not mature enough......and you should have sex with a boy not a girl you fool.......and you should also be a girl.......well but whatever it is Don't have sex more than 10 times in atleast the same month.

2006-08-19 04:43:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

There are all sorts of reasons why sexual intercourse doesn't result in a pregnancy. It might simply be that it's the not the right time in your ovulation cycle. Therefore, I don't think you need to worry just yet! If after a year or so of trying you are still not pregnant, then it might be time to consult a doctor, just in case there is a medical problem. Good luck!

2006-08-19 04:45:30 · answer #3 · answered by mad 7 · 0 0

Your sentence confused me, But I think you are asking," Why arent you getting pregnant by having sex 10 times a day" well **** happens. I had sex about 6 times a day, literally everyday, period or no period. It took me a year and a half to get pregnant. Things take time. Be patient. Your time will come, good luck

2006-08-19 05:39:45 · answer #4 · answered by natalie rose 3 · 0 0

prgnacy doesnt depends on how often u have sex,anyway try having sex 14 days before ur mensis,it is the time that most women likely concieve,,,,,,,,,p.s,,plz dont stress,,,,u ll be pregnant,,by stress u ll spoil the sex fun,,and sex will turn as a duty rather than pleasure,,,,and women r not only baby making machines ,,,,,relax

2006-08-19 15:41:26 · answer #5 · answered by shazz 4 · 0 0

There is a peroid from 7th day to 14th day of your peroid where there is maximum chances to become pregenent. If you have sex other then this peroid then there may nor be having pregency you may have sex 100 times

2006-08-21 05:07:41 · answer #6 · answered by narendra k 3 · 0 0

You have to be in good mood before and without any tension relaxed atmosphere aroudn u and your partner foreplay must be done before u actually get into intercourse

if u dont then it may be of due to medical problems u have to contact specailist there may be problem in any one of u

2006-08-20 06:13:24 · answer #7 · answered by sunny k 1 · 0 0

hay here is no point how much u do sex the point is that ur egg is waiitng for man harmans or not. if ur egg is waiitng then do sex one time & enter man harmans in ur bady threw sex point then u will be. So next time do sex when ur egg is on waiitng .

2006-08-19 12:28:52 · answer #8 · answered by shorewalas 3 · 0 0

sometimes it takes longer...example my oldest son is 8 years old, i didnt think i was going to have anymore but then my youngest is 7 1/2 months old. 8 my son turned 8 two days after i had my baby.

2006-08-19 04:41:39 · answer #9 · answered by ? 5 · 0 0

having sex n no of times doesn not matter.what does matter is doing at the right time.which is just before u ovulate.

2006-08-19 04:42:43 · answer #10 · answered by call me cute 2 · 0 0

Plain and simple, you aren't ovulating the times you've had sex.

2006-08-19 04:52:49 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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