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Infertility
Does taking emergency contraceptive pills cause infertility?
If emergency contraception is only used occasionally, it generally has a minor impact on fertility. However, frequent use of emergency contraceptives may lead to infertility. Emergency contraception usually consists of a combination of estrogen and progestin, with a high hormonal content. Its primary functions are to alter cervical mucus viscosity, hinder sperm mobility, suppress ovulation, and modify the endometrial environment in the uterus, thereby providing a contraceptive effect. Some may cause menstrual irregularities or ovulation disorders, affecting the motility of the fallopian tubes, potentially leading to ectopic pregnancies, which can cause infertility. Thus, emergency contraception should not be used as a regular method of contraception.
Where is a good place to treat infertility?
The best treatment for infertility is to visit reputable public hospitals or specialized reproductive medicine institutions in your area. Treating infertility often isn't a matter of days, nor can it be resolved simply with medication or injections. It requires a clear diagnosis of the cause, and treatment should be targeted accordingly. For instance, if the cause is related to the male partner, he should receive treatment; if it's related to the female partner, she should be treated. Therefore, choosing these reputable reproductive medical institutions for effective examinations and accurate diagnoses is vital for effective treatment and to avoid wasting time and money.
Does having hypothyroidism mean lifelong infertility?
Having hypothyroidism does not necessarily mean permanent infertility. Hypothyroidism primarily involves reduced secretion of thyroid hormones in the body, leading to slowed metabolism. For women, symptoms such as reduced menstrual flow, amenorrhea, or even infertility may occur. However, if diagnosed with hypothyroidism, it is advisable to visit an endocrinology specialist promptly for thyroid hormone replacement therapy. It is recommended to monitor the Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) during treatment; many patients with TSH levels below 2.5 can consider pregnancy. Moreover, it is crucial to continue taking thyroid hormones during pregnancy to avoid affecting the fetus.
How is infertility treated?
For the treatment of infertility, it is necessary to address the specific causes of infertility. For instance, infertility caused by partial fallopian tube blockage can be treated conservatively, such as using traditional Chinese medicine enemas and external applications. In cases of severe fallopian tube blockage or blockage at the isthmic part, surgery or in vitro fertilization may be required. Additionally, some women may suffer from undeveloped follicles or anovulation, which necessitates the use of Chinese or Western medicine to stimulate follicle development and ovulation. Good follicle development and ovulation are essential for conception. Furthermore, infertility can also be due to male factors, such as sperm issues, which would require the male partner to undergo treatment at a urology clinic to improve sperm quality before conception can occur.
How to diagnose infertility
When a couple lives together, has regular sexual intercourse without contraception for over a year, and does not conceive, it is termed infertility. If it concerns the female, it is called infertility, and if it concerns the male, it is called sterility. If a woman has previously been pregnant or has a history of childbirth or pregnancy, it is known as secondary infertility. If she has never been pregnant or had a childbirth, it is considered primary infertility. The same categories apply to males: those with a history of fathering a child, regardless of with which partner, are described as having secondary sterility, whereas those who have never impregnated a woman suffer from primary sterility. To diagnose infertility or sterility, one needs to undergo relevant medical checks at a hospital's reproductive medicine department. These examinations include ovulation monitoring, endocrine tests, gynecological examinations for women, and semen analyses and fallopian tube inspections for men, among others.
Where to apply moxibustion for infertility?
The principle of traditional Chinese medicine treatment for infertility mainly involves nourishing kidney qi, benefiting essence and blood, nurturing the Conception and Thoroughfare Vessels, and regulating menstruation as the general principle, through which syndrome differentiation and treatment are applied to treat the condition accordingly. For infertility moxibustion, the following acupuncture points can be selected: The first one is the Guanyuan point, also known as Dantian, located 3 inches below the navel. The second is the Qihai point, located on the anterior midline of the lower abdomen, 1.5 inches below the center of the navel. The third is the Uterus point, located on the lower abdomen, 4 inches below the center of the navel and 3 inches aside from the midline. The fourth is the Sanyinjiao point, located on the inner side of the lower leg, 3 inches above the tip of the medial malleolus. The fifth is the Zusanli point, located on the outer side of the lower leg, 3 inches below the knee. These are the main acupuncture points.
Infertility is divided into several types.
Common classification methods for infertility mainly include the following types: The first type is based on medical history, which can be divided into primary infertility and secondary infertility. Primary infertility refers to never having been pregnant; secondary infertility refers to having been pregnant before, but after trying to conceive for more than a year, despite having regular sexual intercourse without contraception, there has been no pregnancy. The second type is based on the treatment conditions, which can be divided into absolute infertility and relative infertility. Based on the results of treatment, it can further be classified into temporary infertility and permanent infertility. The third type is based on the causes of infertility, which can be divided into male infertility, female infertility, and infertility affecting both partners.
What is female infertility?
Infertility is a reproductive disorder caused by various etiologies, representing an adverse reproductive health event for couples of childbearing age. For women, if there is no contraception and they have had sexual intercourse for at least 12 months without conceiving, a diagnosis of infertility can be made. In men, this condition is referred to as sterility. Infertility can be divided into two main categories: primary and secondary infertility. Primary infertility is when a person has never conceived despite not using contraception, whereas secondary infertility occurs when a person has previously been pregnant but fails to conceive again after 12 months of unprotected intercourse.
Can cold body and cold uterus lead to infertility?
Patients with cold body constitution or cold in the uterus are more likely to experience infertility. Therefore, if one has a cold body constitution, it is important to adjust it promptly. Usually, you can eat some foods that eliminate coldness in the body, such as adzuki beans and coix seeds. Engaging in more physical exercise and sweating can also help expel the coldness through sweat. Alternatively, soaking in warm water, sauna treatments, cupping therapy, and moxibustion are effective methods for expelling internal coldness. These can improve symptoms of a cold constitution and spending more time in the sunlight can also boost the body's immunity.
The causes of infertility due to endometriosis
The main reason that endometriosis leads to infertility is that the condition alters the anatomical structure of the pelvic area. It is often found that there are extensive adhesions around the ovaries and fallopian tubes, which can lead to blockage or twisting of the fallopian tubes. This can cause abnormal movement of the fallopian tubes, impacting the transport of the fertilized egg. Additionally, in patients with endometriosis, the pelvic environment is also found to be poor, and some women may experience abnormalities in ovarian function, mainly manifesting as ovulatory disorders. These are all reasons that lead to infertility.