In China, those who are exposed to pregnancy risks (i.e. without contraception and have normal sexual activity) and have not become pregnant for one year are generally referred to as infertility. Infertility generally refers to the inability of males to have offspring.
Why are more and more people experiencing difficulties in getting pregnant or even infertility?
1. Ovulation abnormality
refers to anovulation, infrequent ovulation, or irregular ovulation. Abnormal ovulation can lead to infertility, while anovulation can be caused by poor follicular development or obstacles in the release of eggs from follicular fluid.
2. Tubal disease refers to the obstruction or damage of the fallopian tubes. Tubal diseases can prevent the fertilization of eggs and sperm in the fallopian tubes, or even if a fertilized egg is formed, it cannot be transferred to the uterus, which can lead to tubal pregnancy and further damage to the fallopian tubes.
3. Endometriosis
Endometriosis refers to the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, attached to other tissues in the abdominal cavity such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The endometrium growing in the pelvic cavity cannot expel blood from the body like during menstruation, and the bleeding site can easily cause inflammatory reactions and adhesion. Adhesive tissue can block the fallopian tubes or affect ovulation. In addition, endometrial tissue growing in the ovary undergoes periodic bleeding, forming ovarian cysts called endometriosis cysts, which can interfere with ovulation.
4. Unexplained infertility
refers to the inability of both the female and male partners to determine the cause of infertility after various examinations. About 15% of infertile patients belong to this category. The diagnosis of unexplained infertility must undergo laparoscopic examination to rule out endometriosis and pelvic adhesions. Unexplained infertility may involve abnormal function of eggs and sperm, but cannot be detected using convenient and practical methods.
5. Age reasons
Age plays an important role in female reproductive ability. As one ages, many biological changes occur, which are detrimental to pregnancy and its maintenance. The fertility of women aged 30-35 gradually decreases; After the age of 40, there is a sharp decline. The success rate of assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization gradually decreases with age.
Why does age play an important role in fertility? One reason is that as women age, they rarely ovulate regularly; Another reason is that at this time, they may have many diseases that cause infertility, such as endometriosis. But the more important reason is the decrease in the quality and quantity of female eggs. More eggs tend to have chromosomal abnormalities, leading to miscarriage.
6. Premature ovarian failure
Menopause usually occurs in women aged 42-56. Premature ovarian failure (premature menopause) refers to menopause occurring before the age of 40. Women who experience premature menopause usually have exhausted eggs in their ovaries.
7. Pelvic adhesive disease
Refers to scar adhesions that bind pelvic organs together. Adhesions often cause infertility, and if they occur within or around the fallopian tubes, they can hinder the binding of sperm and egg; If the fallopian tubes are only partially blocked, the sperm and egg can be fertilized, but the embryo's return to the uterus is obstructed, leading to ectopic pregnancy. If there is adhesion in the ovaries, it may affect ovulation; Adhesion occurring in the uterine cavity can affect embryo implantation.
8. Recurrent miscarriage
Having 3 or more natural miscarriages can be defined as recurrent miscarriage. About 20% of pregnancies will have a natural miscarriage before 20 weeks, with the majority of miscarriages occurring before 12 weeks. Typically, three or more miscarriages occur before they are called recurrent miscarriages. The main reasons for recurrent miscarriage include genetic defects, uterine malformations, uterine fibroids, and intrauterine adhesions. Imbalance of certain hormones such as prolactin, thyroid hormone, or progesterone can also cause miscarriage. Some diseases such as diabetes or abnormal immune system will also increase the chance of abortion. There are also unexplained miscarriages.
What are the treatment methods for infertility?
The treatment of infertility is a corresponding treatment, which takes corresponding measures according to different causes: 1. Drug therapy, such as traditional Chinese medicine, etc.
2. Surgical treatment: such as minimally invasive surgery, open surgery, etc.
3. Assisted reproductive technologies: such as artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, etc. Among them, IVF includes in vitro fertilization embryo transfer, mitochondrial replacement, etc. In vitro fertilization embryo transfer is to provide chromosome reference to the embryo before transfer, while mitochondrial replacement is to inject young cytoplasm into older cytoplasm to provide nutrition for its egg cells.
4. Psychological therapy: providing corresponding humanistic care, etc.
I hope every expectant parent can welcome their healthy baby!