What is infertility?

Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on November 27, 2024
00:00
00:00

If a couple has been married for a year without using contraception, are not living separately, and have not conceived, or if there has been a history of abortion and no conception has occurred within six months of unprotected sexual activity, then this is considered infertility. Infertility can be due to female factors or male factors, with male infertility also accounting for a significant proportion. Male investigations are relatively simple, non-invasive, and also less expensive, so it is generally advisable to first conduct male tests, followed by female assessments, such as endocrine function, ovulation, uterine lining, fallopian tube examinations, or various biochemical tests, etc.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhao Min Ying
Reproductive Medicine
54sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
45sec home-news-image

How is infertility caused?

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhao Min Ying
Reproductive Medicine
1min 26sec home-news-image

Precautions for Infertility Examination

Infertility examinations primarily involve tests for both men and women. For men, the examination includes a semen analysis which requires abstinence for 2-7 days. Semen should be collected through masturbation, using a specialized semen collection cup provided by the laboratory. Ordinary condoms should not be used for semen collection. After collection, the semen must be kept warm and promptly delivered back to the laboratory. For women, the examinations include several aspects. First, during the menstrual period, blood is drawn on an empty stomach between the 2nd and 4th days to check hormone levels, and an ultrasound is used to assess the baseline state of the ovaries. Second, between the 3rd and 7th days after the menstrual period ends, when sexual intercourse is prohibited, tests are conducted to examine the uterus and fallopian tubes. These may include hysterosalpingography, hysteroscopy, or laparoscopy to evaluate the condition of the fallopian tubes. Third, monitoring ovulation with ultrasound begins from the 8th to 10th day of the menstrual cycle, tracking the development of follicles and the uterine lining until the follicle matures and ovulation occurs.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Li Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 5sec home-news-image

Can chronic bacterial vaginitis lead to infertility?

Long-term bacterial vaginitis can lead to infertility. If bacterial vaginitis occurs, a large number of bacteria proliferate in the vagina. When sperm enter, they may quickly die off. Even if they do not die, their quality is greatly reduced. Vaginitis results in a significant increase in vaginal discharge. The secretions contain a large number of white blood cells, which can hinder the survival of sperm, thus potentially causing infertility. Therefore, women must pay attention to personal hygiene. Once the inflammation of bacterial vaginitis becomes severe, it can spread to the uterine cavity and cause more serious diseases such as adnexitis and pelvic inflammatory disease. If not treated promptly, these can lead to infertility. It is important to develop good hygiene habits regularly.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
59sec home-news-image

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.