How is infertility caused?

Written by Kang Jian Hua

Reproductive Center

Updated on September 22, 2024

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Infertility can occur if there is an issue with either partner. The main factors causing infertility in women include ovulation disorders, fallopian tube factors, and abnormal endometrial receptivity. The primary factors causing infertility in men are abnormal spermatogenesis and ovulation disorders. Common etiological diagnoses generally include ovulation disorders, abnormal semen, fallopian tube abnormalities, unexplained infertility, endometriosis, and other immunological infertility. Additionally, cervical factors can also lead to infertility, such as cervical stenosis, which accounts for more than 5% of cervical factors.

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Written by Zhao Min Ying

Reproductive Medicine

54sec

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How is infertility defined?

If a couple is under 35 years old, cohabiting, having regular sexual intercourse, and has not used any contraception for over a year, the woman is diagnosed with infertility and the man with male infertility. For couples over 35 years old, cohabiting, having regular sexual intercourse, and not using any contraception for over half a year, the woman is diagnosed with infertility. After a diagnosis of infertility or sterility, it is necessary to visit a local reproductive center for further infertility-related examinations, including semen analysis for the man, ovulation monitoring for the woman, endocrine tests, and fallopian tube examinations, among others.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua

Reproductive Center

58sec

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When to go for infertility check-ups?

The timing of infertility examinations cannot be generalized and should be determined based on the specific test and gender. For males, the primary tests include semen analysis and sperm morphology exams. These require the male to abstain from ejaculation for 2-7 days because if the abstinence period is too short, less than 48 hours, both sperm quality and semen volume may be low, which does not reflect the true level. Conversely, if the abstinence exceeds seven days, it can also affect the results of the test. For females, if undergoing a six-item hormone test, it is best conducted during days 2-5 of the menstrual cycle. For a fallopian tube patency test, it is safer to conduct it between days 3-7 after the menstrual period has ended. The exact timing of these tests should be advised by the attending physician.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun

Traditional Chinese Medicine

37sec

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Can a cold uterus and overall body coldness lead to infertility?

Cold womb and overall bodily coldness can lead to infertility. Since a cold womb and overall coldness can cause menstrual irregularities, scanty menstrual flow, and painful menstruation, it is essential to expel the cold promptly. Firstly, drinking ginger water can warm the womb and dispel coldness, or drinking brown sugar water can also effectively regulate these conditions. Moreover, it is important to avoid cold and raw foods in your diet; instead, focus on consuming warm foods and drink plenty of plain hot water to accelerate the healing process.

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Written by Jia Rui

Obstetrics and Gynecology

50sec

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Will menstruation ahead of schedule lead to infertility?

Menstruation occurring earlier than expected might lead to infertility. Generally, if a woman's period occurs every 20 days or so, it may be indicative of a shortened luteal phase, which can impact pregnancy. If menstruation consistently occurs earlier, it can affect ovulation and the development of the endometrium, which is disadvantageous for conception. If the advance in timing is significant, it usually suggests poor ovarian function, which can impact the development of follicles and the endometrium, thereby affecting pregnancy. If the cycle is very regular and involves normal follicles, the possibility of pregnancy cannot be ruled out. It is recommended to maintain a good mood and ensure adequate rest.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua

Reproductive Center

59sec

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What should infertile women check for?

The examination of infertile women mainly includes the following aspects. First is the physical examination, which covers a general examination and an examination of the internal and external genitalia. Through the physical examination, it can be determined whether the female sexual characteristics are normal and whether there are any abnormalities in the development of the external genitalia. The second type of examination is auxiliary examination, the most common of which are blood tests and ultrasound exams. Blood tests can provide information on whether there is any infection, the type of blood, and the endocrine situation. They can also examine chromosomal conditions. Through ultrasound, it is possible to find out if there are any abnormalities in the uterine adnexa. Additionally, there are some special tests, including ovarian function tests, fallopian tube patency tests, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, and post-coital tests, among others.