How is infertility defined?

Written by Zhao Min Ying
Reproductive Medicine
Updated on March 27, 2025
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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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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.

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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.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
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Can infertility have menstruation?

There are many causes of infertility. Normally, if a couple has been married for a year without using contraception and does not have a child, they are generally diagnosed with infertility. Infertility patients can develop from causes such as hormonal imbalances, which might lead to menstrual disorders and lack of normal ovulation, resulting in infertility. Infections like mycoplasma and chlamydia can also cause infertility, as can immune issues, abnormal ovulation, or problems with the fallopian tubes. However, infertility does not necessarily mean an absence of menstruation. Some patients may have normal menstrual cycles and ovulation. The reason for infertility in such cases might be due to blocked fallopian tubes or other hormonal issues. Therefore, whether an infertility patient has menstruation can vary; some may have a normal menstrual cycle, while others may not.

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Infertility means.

The concept of infertility in medicine is defined as follows: both male and female partners have normal sexual relations without using any contraceptives, and if the female cannot become pregnant after a year, this condition is diagnosed as infertility. Previously, the time frame for diagnosing infertility was set at two years. However, due to the implementation of the two-child policy, the average age of both men and women tends to be higher, so it is generally limited to one year. If there is no pregnancy within this period, it is urgent to go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment in order to identify the cause early and treat it accordingly, to avoid delaying the condition.

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How to cure immune infertility

Immune infertility comes in many forms, such as anti-sperm antibody positivity and anti-endometrial antibody positivity, among others. The treatment for immune infertility commonly involves the use of isolating therapy, which entails using a condom during sexual intercourse. After using this method for three to six months, it can reduce further stimulation of the female by the sperm antigen, and once the antibody effect has dissipated, intercourse is timed with ovulation. At this time, conception is often possible. For immune infertility, some may choose intrauterine artificial insemination depending on the situation, which involves processing and separating the husband's semen outside the body to extract high-quality sperm for intrauterine insemination. Another method is anti-immune therapy, but the medications often have adverse side effects on the body.