Causes of infertility

Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on January 15, 2025
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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.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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What to check for infertility

What tests should be done for infertility? The tests for males are much simpler compared to those for females, primarily focusing on semen analysis as well as prostate and ultrasound examinations. For females, besides examining the development of the internal and external genitalia, checking for inflammation and inflammatory masses, and assessing breast lactation, several specialized tests can also be conducted. These include evaluating the patency of the fallopian tubes by hysterosalpingography, ovarian function tests including basal body temperature (BBT) measurements, vaginal cytology, endometrial examination, and female hormone assessments. Immunological tests include checking for anti-endometrial, anti-ovarian, anti-trophoblast, and anti-sperm antibodies, among others. Ultrasound examinations help in detecting pelvic tumors and uterine conditions, and also in monitoring follicle development and ovulation. Other tests include hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, and an analysis of chromosomal abnormalities in the couple.

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Can infertility be treated?

Infertility is treatable. The examination and treatment of infertility are progressive and not just a matter of visiting a doctor once and taking some medication to see immediate effects. Often, it is a prolonged battle that sometimes requires six months, or even one to two years, and requires patience without haste. For many patients with infertility, the course of the disease tends to be long and the condition complex, leading to a relatively long treatment period. Therefore, when dealing with infertility and its treatment, it is advisable to visit the reproductive medicine department of a local public hospital for relevant examinations to avoid unnecessary detours.

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Written by Zhang Lu
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How long does it take to be considered infertile when trying to conceive?

Pregnancy for women requires a certain amount of time to be successful, and if one cannot become pregnant in the short term, it does not necessarily mean infertility. It could be due to irregular ovulation or incorrect timing of sexual activity. In clinical practice, it is generally considered that if one has been trying to conceive normally without deliberate contraception and still cannot become pregnant after a year, then infertility should be diagnosed. For cases where conception hasn't occurred after a year of trying, examinations should be carried out for both partners to determine if there are any pathological factors. First, the male partner should have chromosome and sperm analysis; Second, the female partner should be checked for chromosomal infections, immune factors, rheumatology factors, etc. After clearly identifying the reasons, interventions should be made as much as possible to guide normal conception.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
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Classification of the Causes of Infertility

For infertility, it is important to conduct relevant tests as early as possible while young, to receive effective treatment promptly, and to complete childbirth at the earliest. Firstly, male testing should be conducted because the probability of male infertility is also high, and the tests for males are relatively simpler. Afterwards, the causes in females should be investigated, such as monitoring ovulation and conducting endocrine tests for ovulation. Then, the condition of the endometrium should be examined, and a hysterosalpingography should be performed between the third and seventh days of a clean menstrual period to see if this factor contributes to infertility. Subsequently, various biochemical tests, such as immune function and pre-thrombotic state, should also be considered.

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The difference between infertility and sterility

In clinical practice, we often mention infertility and sterility, so what is the difference between them? Let us take a look. Infertility refers to a condition where a couple has regular sexual intercourse, does not take any contraceptive measures, and the duration reaches over a year, yet the female cannot become pregnant; this is called infertility. If the male can cause the female to become pregnant, or has previously impregnated a woman, but she cannot carry a baby to term, we call this sterility. This is the difference between infertility and sterility.