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Infertility is a complicated issue. It is often confused with a partially similar phenomenon – infertility. However, they are not terms with the same meaning, even though they are used interchangeably as synonyms in colloquial speech. What makes them different? What should you know about infertility?
Infertility and Infertility – Is It the Same?
Infertility is a permanent feature and unfortunately – according to the current state of medical and pharmacological knowledge – incurable. Thus, infertility differs from infertility, which in many cases is even completely curable. So while the diagnosis of infertility does not equal the inability to have natural offspring, then diagnoza bezpłodności it almost completely rules out such a possibility. Most often, only the method of external fertilization, in vitro, remains the “rescue” for couples diagnosed with infertility.
The causes of infertility
Infertility can have very different origins for both men and women. In women, infertility is often caused by mechanical damage or the lack of specific reproductive organs. For example – no uterus or ovaries. It may also be caused by premature menopause.
Male infertility however, it may occur as a result of a childhood complication. An example of a disease that causes infertility in men is mumps. Infertility can also result from damage to some or all of the reproductive organs. Certain birth defects in the testes, penis, prostate, and vas deferens can cause infertility. Importantly, infertility can result from mutations or other genetic disorders.
Infertility – what does it mean?
Infertility is the state of inability to conceive or produce offspring, which is reversible, i.e. treatable, because, unlike in the case of infertility, infertility is subject to appropriately selected treatment. Infertility is diagnosed in a person who, after 12 months of regular efforts to become pregnant – or father children – is not able to achieve this condition. Most often it is assumed that during this period the couple have regular intercourse, at least 2-3 times a week, without using any contraceptives and achieving orgasm and ejaculation in the partner’s reproductive organs. This period is conventional, but it is long enough to diagnose infertility in the case of people of early reproductive age.
- Fertility can be supported, for example, by using the CONCEIVE PLUS Fertility Gel.
If we are around 40 years of age, then it may be necessary to extend the observation period to diagnose infertility.
The causes of infertility form a very wide spectrum. In the case of women, the most common causes of infertility include: hormonal disorders, changes in the area of internal organs (such as ovaries, uterus), the influence of drugs, neoplastic diseases (as well as methods of their treatment: radiotherapy and chemotherapy), defects in the structure of selected organs (for example, an abnormal pattern of the uterus), improperly performed surgery.
In men, infertility they most often cause: disturbances in the body’s hormonal balance, the presence of sperm antibodies, defects in the testes, penis, acorn, vas deferens or other organs involved in the fertilization process, the influence of certain drugs or chemicals (including drugs), genetic diseases.
Because any case of infertility may have a different cause, or be a “combination” of two or more potential causes, do not attempt to resolve them yourself. Each case should be consulted with a doctor on the basis of 12-month observation and a number of diagnostic tests should be performed. Thanks to this, the cause of infertility can be diagnosed individually in each patient, and thus – the selection of the form of treatment or therapy will be as effective as possible. Some cases of infertility – such as those caused by the side effects of certain medications – can be completely cured.
How to check for potential infertility? The most common tests performed on men include, among others, sperm examination. During it, the behavior, structure, activity, speed and amount of sperm present in male sperm are carefully examined. You can now do the initial semen analysis at home. Home semen analysis – the MAGNI-MAN cassette test assesses the concentration of sperm in the sample, which is important for fertility. The second popular test is the ultrasound of the scrotum, which allows to determine the structure, size, shape and possible abnormalities in the structure of the testicles.
Wykonuje się również test SCD, czyli badanie tak zwanej dyspersji chromatyny plemników. Badanie to zaleca się mężczyznom wchodzącym w dojrzały okres życia – około 40 lat – których warunki pracy, miejsce zamieszkania lub warunki środowiskowe mogą stanowić potencjalne ryzyko increasing the chance of infertility. Testicular biopsy is performed when no sperm is detected in the male sperm. Then a small amount of testicular tissue is removed painlessly.