What is infertility?

Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
Updated on February 28, 2025
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Infertility refers to the condition where, despite a couple having regular sexual intercourse without contraception for more than a year, the woman does not become pregnant, at which point infertility is diagnosed. Infertility includes primary infertility and secondary infertility. Primary infertility refers to those who have never been pregnant before; secondary infertility refers to individuals who have previously given birth or been pregnant but later, despite trying to conceive for over a year without contraception and having regular sexual intercourse, are unable to become pregnant.

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Written by Gan Hai Ying
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Why does premature ovarian failure cause infertility?

The primary reason that premature ovarian failure leads to infertility is due to the decline in ovarian function it causes. Reduced ovarian function results in insufficient secretion of estrogen levels within the body. Consequently, the follicles on the ovaries do not develop and mature, and without mature egg cells, the sperm and egg cannot meet, which leads to infertility. Additionally, women with premature ovarian failure experience low hormone levels that prevent changes in the uterine lining, making it unsuitable for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterine cavity, which also causes infertility. Premature ovarian failure in women often leads to infertility. Therefore, it is difficult for women with this condition to conceive. If childbearing is desired, after treatment to regulate menstruation, it may be necessary to use assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization to achieve pregnancy.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
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What are the causes of male infertility?

There are many diseases or factors that can lead to male infertility, leading to azoospermia, severe oligospermia, and oligozoospermia, as well as normospermic infertility, polyspermia, asthenospermia, etc. The main causes can be summarized in the following points: First, male sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and anejaculation, can all cause male infertility. Second, abnormalities in sperm structure and seminal plasma can affect sperm motility, capacity, and reaction. Third, obstruction of the vas deferens affects the transport of sperm. Fourth, infection of the reproductive tract. Fifth, endocrine disorders, including deficiencies in gonadotropins. Sixth, chromosomal abnormalities, including the common pseudohermaphroditism chromosome.

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Written by Zhao Min Ying
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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.

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Which department should I go to for infertility treatment?

For infertility issues, one should first visit a formal hospital. At the hospital, men can choose to see either a traditional Chinese medicine andrologist or a Western medicine andrologist, while women can opt to visit a traditional Chinese medicine infertility specialist, or a gynecology or obstetrics department. After consulting these departments, doctors will conduct various tests to identify and rule out causes of infertility. Then, based on the test results, they will administer targeted treatments or interventions. This approach helps infertility patients to conceive as soon as possible.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
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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.