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Infertility
What does infertility cos mean?
Let's take a look at what infertility COS means. Infertility COS is an abbreviation for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in English. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common disease in women, characterized by obesity, hirsutism, amenorrhea, and infertility. This disease is characterized by an excess of androgens and persistent anovulation. Ultrasound examinations did not find ovarian volumes greater than 10 ml and follicles with diameters of 2 to 9mm, with at least 12 present. People with this disease often seek treatment for infertility. Currently, the methods of treating this disease in China include medication and surgery.
Causes of infertility
Infertility may be due to factors involving either the male or the female. The main causes of female infertility include ovulatory disorders and fallopian tube factors. Ovulatory disorders may result from dysfunction in ovulation, such as changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, as well as ovarian diseases, with polycystic ovary syndrome being the most common condition that could lead to ovulatory issues. Fallopian tube factors include blockages or inefficiencies, which can also cause infertility in women. Uterine factors can also lead to infertility, including abnormalities of the uterus, inflammation of the endometrium, polyps in the endometrium, and intrauterine adhesions, all of which can affect the implantation of the fertilized egg and cause infertility. Abnormal cervical mucus secretion, cervical inflammation, and an unusual immune environment in cervical mucus that affects sperm passage can also lead to infertility. Male infertility factors primarily include disorders of sperm production and sperm delivery, which may manifest as abnormalities in semen, shown by the absence of sperm, weak sperm, or low sperm count, all contributing to infertility. Additionally, sexual dysfunctions such as premature ejaculation, anejaculation, and erectile dysfunction can also result in male infertility.
Treatment methods for infertility
The main treatment methods for infertility include medication, surgical treatment, and assisted reproductive technologies. Medication can target endocrine abnormalities and reproductive tract infections in both males and females. Surgical treatment can be aimed at conditions such as varicocele in males and uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts in females. Assisted reproductive technologies primarily address severe oligospermia in males and tubal blockages in females, among other common diseases. It is recommended to visit the reproductive medicine department of a local public hospital to clarify the cause of infertility and receive targeted treatment. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)
How is infertility caused?
Common causes of infertility in women often stem from ovulatory disorders and tubal factors. The common ovulatory disorders mainly include dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, ovarian diseases, and endocrine metabolic diseases such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Other causes include systemic diseases, chronic consumptive diseases, severe malnutrition, excessive obesity, and excessive thinness. The second aspect involves tubal factors, such as inflammation and blockage of the fallopian tubes leading to infertility. The third aspect is uterine factors, which include poor uterine development, uterine abnormalities, endometritis, and endometrial tuberculosis, all of which can cause infertility. The fourth aspect is cervical factors, including cervical myomas, cervical inflammation, and abnormalities in cervical immunological function. The fifth aspect is factors related to the vaginal and perineal areas, where abnormal development, inflammation, and scarring of the vagina can cause infertility. As for men, the causes of infertility include abnormalities in semen, sexual function, and immunological factors. Immunological factors primarily involve the production of antibodies against one's own sperm in the body, causing ejaculated semen to agglutinate with itself and fail to pass through cervical mucus. Thus, from the perspectives of both men and women, these are the main causes of infertility.
Can pelvic effusion cause infertility?
Usually, pelvic effusion in women does not lead to infertility. For instance, physiological conditions in women, such as during the menstrual period or around ovulation, can lead to a small amount of leakage in the pelvic cavity. During an ultrasound, this may appear as a small amount of pelvic effusion, which is usually absorbed normally and does not affect pregnancy. However, if a woman's pelvic effusion is due to inflammation, and this inflammation affects the fallopian tubes or ovaries, causing inflammation in these areas, it might impact the woman's ability to conceive normally.
Can you have sexual intercourse before infertility examination?
There are many types of examinations for infertility. If the examination is for male infertility, such as a semen analysis, it is recommended not to have sexual intercourse three days prior to the test. For females, if the examinations involve blood tests or a gynecological ultrasound, intercourse is permissible. However, if the examination includes a routine vaginal discharge test, it is advised not to have sexual intercourse for at least three days beforehand. More stringent timing is required for examinations like hysteroscopy or a fallopian tube radiography. The principle here is to conduct these tests three to seven days after menstruation has ended, in order to complete the fallopian tube radiography and hysteroscopy effectively.
Can low estrogen cause infertility?
If a woman's blood test reveals low estrogen levels, it may affect normal conception. Firstly, with low estrogen levels throughout the menstrual cycle, there can't be a peak change, which may lead to abnormal ovulation or anovulation. Additionally, if estrogen levels are low, the endometrium cannot proliferate effectively, leading to insufficient endometrial thickness and making it difficult for the fertilized egg to implant. Some women may conceive despite these issues; however, due to insufficient hormone levels, they may experience abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, threatened miscarriage, or even arrested fetal development.
What should I do if I have irregular menstruation and infertility?
If menstrual irregularities lead to infertility, the first step is to go to the hospital for an endocrine test. Menstrual irregularities generally indicate a dysfunction in ovarian function. At this time, you can go to the hospital for a blood test, which should be done on the second to fifth day of the menstrual period. It is important to fast before the blood test. After the blood test, treatment should be based on the results. Generally, patients with menstrual irregularities experience ovulation disorders or ovarian secretion dysfunction, causing abnormal hormone levels in the body, which are not conducive to egg implantation and development. Therefore, if menstrual irregularities lead to infertility, it is essential to undergo relevant medical examinations at the hospital and then treat based on the findings. Moreover, if you have been trying to conceive for over a year without success, be sure to undergo other infertility tests.
Does taking contraceptive pills cause infertility?
Contraceptives are categorized into short-acting, long-acting, or emergency contraceptives. Commonly, long-acting contraceptives, such as those taken orally once a month, have significant side effects. Prolonged use can lead to menstrual irregularities, facial pigmentation, hyperpigmentation, and amenorrhea. Therefore, long-term use of long-acting contraceptives may result in decreased ovarian function, leading to infertility. Generally, emergency contraceptives and short-acting contraceptives have relatively minor side effects. Occasional use does not have a significant impact, but prolonged use can cause menstrual disorders and hormonal imbalances, which in turn can lead to infertility. Thus, contraceptives are not suitable for everyone, and it is not recommended for women who have never given birth to use oral contraceptives for contraception.
Secondary infertility refers to a condition where a person is unable to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term following the birth of one or more biological children.
Infertility is divided into primary infertility and secondary infertility. Primary infertility refers to never having been pregnant before, which is called primary infertility. Secondary infertility generally occurs in individuals who have had children or a history of miscarriage and have been unable to conceive again after trying for a year, thus constituting secondary infertility. It is essential for those with secondary infertility to undergo relevant fertility tests at a hospital. Typically, the clinical evaluation includes a semen analysis for the male partner, and for the female partner, tests such as Mycoplasma and Chlamydia detection, endocrine examinations, immunological tests, and assessments for fallopian tube patency and related endocrine tests. Generally, through these tests, the cause of secondary infertility can be identified, and treatment can be tailored based on the results. In cases of secondary infertility, the vast majority can achieve conception through targeted treatment.