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Infertility
Will taking too much emergency contraception lead to infertility?
Taking emergency contraceptive pills excessively may lead to infertility. Emergency contraceptives contain highly effective hormonal ingredients, mainly working by altering the viscosity of cervical mucus and affecting the implantation of fertilized eggs. Emergency contraceptive pills can cause menstrual irregularities and disorders, leading to irregular vaginal bleeding. Some may also affect ovulation and the motility of the fallopian tubes, while also causing symptoms such as breast tenderness, nausea, and vomiting. Excessive use of emergency contraceptive pills can significantly affect the endocrine system, potentially leading to infertility and, in some cases, ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, emergency contraceptives should not be used as a regular method of contraception.
How is infertility defined?
If a couple is under 35 years old, cohabiting, having regular sexual intercourse, and has not used any contraception for over a year, the woman is diagnosed with infertility and the man with male infertility. For couples over 35 years old, cohabiting, having regular sexual intercourse, and not using any contraception for over half a year, the woman is diagnosed with infertility. After a diagnosis of infertility or sterility, it is necessary to visit a local reproductive center for further infertility-related examinations, including semen analysis for the man, ovulation monitoring for the woman, endocrine tests, and fallopian tube examinations, among others.
Precautions for Infertility Examination
Infertility examinations primarily involve tests for both men and women. For men, the examination includes a semen analysis which requires abstinence for 2-7 days. Semen should be collected through masturbation, using a specialized semen collection cup provided by the laboratory. Ordinary condoms should not be used for semen collection. After collection, the semen must be kept warm and promptly delivered back to the laboratory. For women, the examinations include several aspects. First, during the menstrual period, blood is drawn on an empty stomach between the 2nd and 4th days to check hormone levels, and an ultrasound is used to assess the baseline state of the ovaries. Second, between the 3rd and 7th days after the menstrual period ends, when sexual intercourse is prohibited, tests are conducted to examine the uterus and fallopian tubes. These may include hysterosalpingography, hysteroscopy, or laparoscopy to evaluate the condition of the fallopian tubes. Third, monitoring ovulation with ultrasound begins from the 8th to 10th day of the menstrual cycle, tracking the development of follicles and the uterine lining until the follicle matures and ovulation occurs.
When to go for infertility check-ups?
The timing of infertility examinations cannot be generalized and should be determined based on the specific test and gender. For males, the primary tests include semen analysis and sperm morphology exams. These require the male to abstain from ejaculation for 2-7 days because if the abstinence period is too short, less than 48 hours, both sperm quality and semen volume may be low, which does not reflect the true level. Conversely, if the abstinence exceeds seven days, it can also affect the results of the test. For females, if undergoing a six-item hormone test, it is best conducted during days 2-5 of the menstrual cycle. For a fallopian tube patency test, it is safer to conduct it between days 3-7 after the menstrual period has ended. The exact timing of these tests should be advised by the attending physician.
What to eat to regulate the body for cold-induced infertility?
Cold body infertility, in traditional Chinese medicine, is mainly caused by the deficiency of spleen and kidney yang. Clinically, this will manifest as a pattern of deficiency and coldness. At this time, one should first make adjustments through diet. The diet should include more warm foods and less raw, cold, especially frozen foods, and more animal-based foods, which are beneficial for the body, such as beef, lamb, dog meat, fish, shrimp, leeks, pepper, and Sichuan pepper, etc. At the same time, one should also engage in more physical exercise to get the body moving and slightly sweating, which can improve the cold constitution and increase the chance of conception.
What to do if scanty menstruation leads to infertility?
If there is infertility associated with scanty menstruation, it is important to first identify the cause. It is necessary to consider whether the scanty menstruation is due to previous intrauterine procedures, such as a history of abortion, intrauterine device insertion or removal, which could have caused endometrial damage, intrauterine adhesion, or thinning of the endometrium. Hysteroscopy for diagnosis and treatment might be required. Additionally, possible endocrine issues should be considered. Blood should be drawn during the menstrual period to check for sex hormones, thyroid hormones, and others.
How should one pay attention to diet with infertility?
Infertility requires first identifying the cause of infertility, whether it is related to male factors or female factors. The likelihood of diet affecting infertility is not very high, however, if there is excessive obesity or extreme thinness, appropriate changes need to be made. Relevant examinations should be conducted, such as tests for blood sugar, insulin levels, etc. Patients with infertility should, like everyone else, avoid overly selective eating habits, pay attention to their weight, and maintain a balanced diet to ensure adequate nutrition intake, and avoid eating junk food.
Infertility means the inability to conceive (get pregnant) after a year or more of regular sexual activity without contraception.
Many people are not clear about the difference between infertility and sterility, thinking that infertility refers to the inability of a woman to conceive, while sterility refers to the inability of a man to reproduce. Actually, this understanding is incorrect, or rather, incomplete. Infertility should be defined as a couple living together for more than a year, having normal sexual intercourse without contraception, and being unable to cause pregnancy in the female, which is called infertility. Sterility, on the other hand, refers to the situation where the female can get pregnant but cannot give birth. Therefore, there is a certain difference between the two. There are primary and secondary infertility. Primary infertility refers to those who have never been pregnant or given birth before. Secondary infertility refers to those who have previously been pregnant or given birth, but later, due to some reason or disease, are unable to conceive after living together for more than a year, which is called secondary infertility.
Can infertility be inherited?
Regarding the question of whether infertility is hereditary, we cannot generalize. We should analyze specific situations individually. For infertility caused by chromosomal or genetic abnormalities, it may be inherited by offspring. In such cases, one should choose targeted treatments under the guidance of a specialist. However, infertility due to non-genetic factors can often be cured through proactive treatment. Usually, the female can conceive and the condition will not be passed on to the offspring. For better treatment and diagnosis, it is recommended to visit a reputable public hospital locally to get a clear diagnosis and treatment, which can save both time and money.
Can infertility have menstruation?
There are many causes of infertility. Normally, if a couple has been married for a year without using contraception and does not have a child, they are generally diagnosed with infertility. Infertility patients can develop from causes such as hormonal imbalances, which might lead to menstrual disorders and lack of normal ovulation, resulting in infertility. Infections like mycoplasma and chlamydia can also cause infertility, as can immune issues, abnormal ovulation, or problems with the fallopian tubes. However, infertility does not necessarily mean an absence of menstruation. Some patients may have normal menstrual cycles and ovulation. The reason for infertility in such cases might be due to blocked fallopian tubes or other hormonal issues. Therefore, whether an infertility patient has menstruation can vary; some may have a normal menstrual cycle, while others may not.