Classification of the Causes of Infertility

Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on December 25, 2024
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For infertility, it is important to conduct relevant tests as early as possible while young, to receive effective treatment promptly, and to complete childbirth at the earliest. Firstly, male testing should be conducted because the probability of male infertility is also high, and the tests for males are relatively simpler. Afterwards, the causes in females should be investigated, such as monitoring ovulation and conducting endocrine tests for ovulation. Then, the condition of the endometrium should be examined, and a hysterosalpingography should be performed between the third and seventh days of a clean menstrual period to see if this factor contributes to infertility. Subsequently, various biochemical tests, such as immune function and pre-thrombotic state, should also be considered.

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Written by Zhao Min Ying
Reproductive Medicine
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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.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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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.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
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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 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 Qiu Xin Hui
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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What to eat to regulate the body for cold-induced infertility?

Cold body infertility, in traditional Chinese medicine, is mainly caused by the deficiency of spleen and kidney yang. Clinically, this will manifest as a pattern of deficiency and coldness. At this time, one should first make adjustments through diet. The diet should include more warm foods and less raw, cold, especially frozen foods, and more animal-based foods, which are beneficial for the body, such as beef, lamb, dog meat, fish, shrimp, leeks, pepper, and Sichuan pepper, etc. At the same time, one should also engage in more physical exercise to get the body moving and slightly sweating, which can improve the cold constitution and increase the chance of conception.