Causes of infertility

Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on January 15, 2025
00:00
00:00

Infertility may be due to factors involving either the male or the female. The main causes of female infertility include ovulatory disorders and fallopian tube factors. Ovulatory disorders may result from dysfunction in ovulation, such as changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, as well as ovarian diseases, with polycystic ovary syndrome being the most common condition that could lead to ovulatory issues. Fallopian tube factors include blockages or inefficiencies, which can also cause infertility in women. Uterine factors can also lead to infertility, including abnormalities of the uterus, inflammation of the endometrium, polyps in the endometrium, and intrauterine adhesions, all of which can affect the implantation of the fertilized egg and cause infertility. Abnormal cervical mucus secretion, cervical inflammation, and an unusual immune environment in cervical mucus that affects sperm passage can also lead to infertility. Male infertility factors primarily include disorders of sperm production and sperm delivery, which may manifest as abnormalities in semen, shown by the absence of sperm, weak sperm, or low sperm count, all contributing to infertility. Additionally, sexual dysfunctions such as premature ejaculation, anejaculation, and erectile dysfunction can also result in male infertility.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
1min 3sec home-news-image

Infertility means the inability to conceive (get pregnant) after a year or more of regular sexual activity without contraception.

Many people are not clear about the difference between infertility and sterility, thinking that infertility refers to the inability of a woman to conceive, while sterility refers to the inability of a man to reproduce. Actually, this understanding is incorrect, or rather, incomplete. Infertility should be defined as a couple living together for more than a year, having normal sexual intercourse without contraception, and being unable to cause pregnancy in the female, which is called infertility. Sterility, on the other hand, refers to the situation where the female can get pregnant but cannot give birth. Therefore, there is a certain difference between the two. There are primary and secondary infertility. Primary infertility refers to those who have never been pregnant or given birth before. Secondary infertility refers to those who have previously been pregnant or given birth, but later, due to some reason or disease, are unable to conceive after living together for more than a year, which is called secondary infertility.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
47sec home-news-image

Treatment methods for infertility

The main treatment methods for infertility include medication, surgical treatment, and assisted reproductive technologies. Medication can target endocrine abnormalities and reproductive tract infections in both males and females. Surgical treatment can be aimed at conditions such as varicocele in males and uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts in females. Assisted reproductive technologies primarily address severe oligospermia in males and tubal blockages in females, among other common diseases. It is recommended to visit the reproductive medicine department of a local public hospital to clarify the cause of infertility and receive targeted treatment. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
1min home-news-image

Can salpingitis lead to infertility?

The fallopian tubes are an important component of the female reproductive system and play a crucial role in the process of pregnancy. First, the fallopian tubes are the site where sperm and eggs meet to form a fertilized egg. Second, after the fertilized egg is formed, the fallopian tubes are responsible for transporting it to the uterine cavity. Therefore, when any of these two processes encounter issues, it might result in infertility or an ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, inflammation of the fallopian tubes can indeed cause infertility. When significant inflammation of the fallopian tubes occurs, it affects their function, causing them to fail in transporting eggs. Under such circumstances, the sperm and egg cannot meet inside the fallopian tubes for fertilization, resulting in infertility. Additionally, even if a fertilized egg is formed, the fallopian tubes may fail to transport it to the uterine cavity, sometimes causing an ectopic pregnancy.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zou Fu Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 4sec home-news-image

How is female infertility investigated?

There are many tests to be done for female infertility. For example, during menstruation, a fasting blood test can be done to check for six sex hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. Between days 3-7 after menstruation ends, a fallopian tube hydrotubation and imaging can be performed, but intercourse must be avoided and there should be no gynecological inflammation to proceed with this examination. Additionally, routine vaginal secretion and mycoplasma infection tests can be conducted to check for any related issues. Moreover, around the tenth day of the menstrual cycle, a follicle monitoring ultrasound can be done to observe if there are dominant follicles and whether ovulation occurs. The male partner should also undergo some related tests. In summary, different tests can be conducted at different times for female infertility.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
41sec home-news-image

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.