What is infertility?

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

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Infertility blood tests test for what?

Patients with infertility undergo numerous blood tests. Firstly, these tests can determine the blood types and general blood profiles of both partners. Secondly, the tests examine the sex hormones of both individuals to check for any endocrine abnormalities. Thirdly, they can detect infectious diseases, such as hepatitis B, syphilis, HIV, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, and herpes zoster. Lastly, the tests can assess the chromosomes of both partners to identify any genetic issues.

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Infertility is a condition.

Infertility refers to the condition where, after a couple has married and cohabited for more than a year, despite having regular sexual intercourse without any contraception, they are unable to conceive naturally. There are many factors that can cause infertility, including factors related to the male, the female, or both. Male factors account for about 40% of infertility cases, female factors account for about 50%, and combined factors account for about 10%. Female infertility includes ovarian infertility, fallopian tube infertility, uterine infertility, cervical infertility, vaginal infertility, immunological infertility, and more.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
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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.

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Written by Zhao Min Ying
Reproductive Medicine
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Will infertility cause amenorrhea?

The WHO defines infertility as the condition when both the husband and wife have no desire to remain childless. If they cohabit for more than a year with normal sexual relations and without taking any contraceptive measures and still fail to conceive, they are diagnosed with infertility. Infertility and irregular menstruation are not related, nor does infertility lead to amenorrhea. Amenorrhea or irregular menstruation is due to endocrine reasons. This requires blood tests for six hormone levels, thyroid function, and some endocrine metabolism indicators. These can cause difficulty in conceiving and lead to ovulation disorders. Infertility does not cause amenorrhea, but if amenorrhea occurs, it might affect pregnancy and lead to infertility. This is the relationship between them.

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Written by Zhao Min Ying
Reproductive Medicine
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Where is the best place to seek treatment for infertility?

After marriage, if neither party has a desire not to have children, and they have cohabited for more than a year with normal sexual activity without using contraception yet are still unable to conceive, they are diagnosed with infertility. Infertility pertains to females, and sterility pertains to males. If infertility is confirmed, one can first visit a local reproductive center for consultation. Currently, the technology and diagnostic methods related to reproduction are mostly uniform everywhere, involving a screening process. Therefore, one can begin by screening at a local reproductive center to identify some possible causes for not conceiving, including issues like ovulatory disorders in the female, fallopian tube factors, the presence of endometriosis, uterine abnormalities, immune factors, and the normalcy of the male sperm. After screening the causes, consider monitoring ovulation and guiding intercourse, or explore assisted reproductive techniques, including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF). The best hospital for assisted reproduction in the country is Peking University Third Hospital. However, the level of assisted reproduction technology is similar nationwide, and facilities are continuously learning and sharing techniques, so one can choose a local center based on personal circumstances.