Infertility

Myth or Fact? If a couple is having trouble conceiving a child the man should try wearing loose underwear? Infertility is a female problem? If a couple is infertile they have two choices remain childless or adopt.

Only 20% of women who want to conceive become pregnant in the first ovulation cycle they try.

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive a child despite trying for one year

Infertility affects approximately 15% of Australian couples of reproductive age.

Causes of infertility 30% of cases are male related 35% are female related 35% are deemed unexplained

At age 30, a woman begins a slow decline in her ability to get pregnant The older she gets, the greater her chance of miscarriage too A woman’s fertility takes a big drop at around the age of 40

Most common causes females For females is an ovulation disorder  irregular menstrual periods  lack of periods (amenorrhoea)  Anovulation but “normal” cycles  Hormonal imbalances – pit. Probs  Polycystic ovarian disease

Other causes for females  Blocked fallopian tubes  Pelvic inflammatory disease  Post partum infection  Endometriosis  Damage from ectopic pregnancy

Most common Causes males For males  Azoospermia (no sperm cells)  Oligospermia (few sperm cells )  Poor quality sperm cells produced Caused by lifestyle choices Caused by environmental influences

For males problems can exist from birth, or develop later as a result of:  severe medical illness - mumps genetic disease like CF or chromosome abnormalities  some sexually transmitted diseases  testicle injury  inability to ejaculate

Medical evaluations of fertility For males this involves the number and health of sperm produced then other tests are carried out to check structure and sperms ability to swim and penetrate an egg. For females charting ovulation through temp changes, blood tests, ultrasound of ovaries

If a female is found to be ovulating further tests are carried out…  x-ray of fallopian tubes and uterus  laparoscopy – examination of tubes and other structures with a light-transmitting tube  biopsy of the uterine lining to check if monthly changes are normal