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There are many reasons why a couple may have difficulty in
conceiving a child. Disease, drugs, heredity, lifestyle habits
or even exposure to certain toxins can affect fertility. Reasons
for diminished reproductive capacity include:
*Endometriosis - This condition affects a woman's pelvic cavity,
where tissue fragments from the innermost lining of the uterus
(the endometrium) grow and function outside the uterus. They
are one of the causes of painful menstruation and infertility.
These displaced pieces of tissue are not shed vaginally with
normal menstrual blood but instead accumulate inside the pelvis
on the surface of pelvic organs. If they cause scar tissue
on the ovaries or at the ends of the fallopian tubes, the
scar tissue can block the tubes and prevent the egg and sperm
from meeting inside the tubes for fertilization. In some instances,
endometriosis can be surgically removed. Drugs can reduce
discomfort related to endometriosis but are less successful
at improving fertility.
*Luteal Phase Defect (or deficiency) (LPD) - A condition
that occurs when the uterine lining does not develop adequately
because of inadequate progesterone stimulation; or because
of the inability of the uterine lining to respond to progesterone
stimulation. LPD may prevent embryonic implantation or cause
an early abortion.
*Reproductive tract infections - A leading cause of infertility
in both men and women is sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- particularly Chlamydia and gonorrhea. If untreated - and
many infected women have no symptoms - scarring or damage
of the fallopian tubes may cause infertility. In men, an STD
can lead to scarring and blockage of the ejaculatory ducts
and other reproductive structures, thereby causing infertility.
*Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) - This infection of a woman's
upper reproductive system involves the fallopian tubes, uterus
and ovaries. The most common cause of PID is an STD, but it
may also occur after complications from an abortion, dilatation
and curettage (D&C) surgery, childbirth or even use an intrauterine
device (IUD). A single episode of PID is associated with approximately
a 15 percent risk of infertility. A second episode doubles
infertility risk to about 30 percent. For three or more episodes,
the risk rises to more than 50 percent.
*Female hormonal imbalances - If your female hormones fail
to transmit their chemical signals at precisely the right
time, ovulation may be irregular, infrequent or fail to occur.
Periods will likely be erratic and unpredictable. Female hormonal
imbalances can often be treated with fertility drugs.
*DES exposure. - Men and women exposed in the womb to diethylstilbestrol
(DES), a drug used in the past to prevent miscarriages, may
find that their fertility is compromised. DES daughters may
have reproductive system abnormalities - including an unusually
shaped uterus or vagina or abnormal fallopian tubes. These
abnormalities can cause ovulation problems in some women,
as well as an increased risk of miscarriage, premature delivery
and ectopic pregnancy. The data related to sons with DES exposure
are not conclusive. Some studies suggest an association with
low sperm counts or abnormal sperm, undescended testicles
or abnormal openings of the urethra.
*Varicocele - This condition of dilated scrotal veins affects
one or both testicles. These dilated, varicose veins are quite
common in fertile as well as infertile men. This condition
can raise the temperature in the testicles and alter sperm
production, causing low sperm counts. Because varicoceles
do not always explain a couple's infertility, a urologist
will consider all the possible causes of infertility to evaluate
whether corrective surgery has a reasonable chance of success.
*Prostatitis - Another potential cause of male infertility,
prostatitis is an infection in the prostate gland. Symptoms
range from none to urgency, painful urination, and pain during
or after ejaculation, with or without pain in the prostate.
Prostatitis can usually be diagnosed though a physical examination
and lab tests, and may be require treatment with antibiotics.
*Caffeine - Some women who consume an excessive amount of
caffeine - equivalent to five cups of coffee - take longer
to get pregnant. In one study, those who consume the most
caffeine had a 45 percent risk of waiting more than nine months
before becoming pregnant.
*Social drugs - Marijuana and cocaine may reduce sperm count
and motion, and increase the percentage of defective sperm.
*Diabetes - It is thought that type 1 diabetes associated
with accelerated aging may contribute to premature ovarian
failure. It is also thought that early menopause is a previously
unknown complication of diabetes, rather than a result of
existing diabetic complications.
*Strenuous exercise and weight loss - Many women will overdo
it in the gym in a mad scramble to reclaim their figures after
childbirth. This can affect ovulation. Whatever the cause,
couples with secondary infertility will need to consider the
same options as couples dealing with primary infertility.
About
the Author: Jenifer D'souza is an amateur writer to http://www.finegenerics.com
providing information on all health related topics or on the
latest health topics.
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