|
Infertility is a result of "disease" or "malfunction" of one or more organs of the reproductive system. The term "unexplained" is used to describe failure to conceive when a cause cannot be identified. There is a cause; however, science has not developed to the point that it can be identified.
Infertility was once considered a female problem but it is now known that approximately 47% of infertile couples have a male component.
In general, causes consist of:
Male Factor- Abnormalities in the number, shape, motility, viscosity, and other qualitative and quantitative factors used to assess semen.
There is no test more important than a thorough semen analysis preferably conducted by a reproductive laboratory.
Female Factor- Ovulatory Dysfunction - Failure to ovulate regularly. Anovulation is the failure to ovulate and oligoovulation is irregular ovulation.
Tubal Disease- Blockage or impairment of the fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes are responsible for transporting the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus.
Endometriosis- Endometrial tissue can grow, implant, and penetrate reproductive organs causing adhesions. Endometriosis also sets up an "inflammatory environment" in the pelvic cavity.
|
