How is infertility caused?

Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
Updated on January 13, 2025
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Common causes of infertility in women often stem from ovulatory disorders and tubal factors. The common ovulatory disorders mainly include dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, ovarian diseases, and endocrine metabolic diseases such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Other causes include systemic diseases, chronic consumptive diseases, severe malnutrition, excessive obesity, and excessive thinness. The second aspect involves tubal factors, such as inflammation and blockage of the fallopian tubes leading to infertility. The third aspect is uterine factors, which include poor uterine development, uterine abnormalities, endometritis, and endometrial tuberculosis, all of which can cause infertility. The fourth aspect is cervical factors, including cervical myomas, cervical inflammation, and abnormalities in cervical immunological function. The fifth aspect is factors related to the vaginal and perineal areas, where abnormal development, inflammation, and scarring of the vagina can cause infertility. As for men, the causes of infertility include abnormalities in semen, sexual function, and immunological factors. Immunological factors primarily involve the production of antibodies against one's own sperm in the body, causing ejaculated semen to agglutinate with itself and fail to pass through cervical mucus. Thus, from the perspectives of both men and women, these are the main causes of infertility.

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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 infertility be treated?

Infertility is treatable. The examination and treatment of infertility are progressive and not just a matter of visiting a doctor once and taking some medication to see immediate effects. Often, it is a prolonged battle that sometimes requires six months, or even one to two years, and requires patience without haste. For many patients with infertility, the course of the disease tends to be long and the condition complex, leading to a relatively long treatment period. Therefore, when dealing with infertility and its treatment, it is advisable to visit the reproductive medicine department of a local public hospital for relevant examinations to avoid unnecessary detours.

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Written by Li Li Jie
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Can a ruptured corpus luteum lead to infertility?

The destruction of corpus luteum cells can lead to infertility. The most common issue is the obvious rupture of the corpus luteum, accompanied by excessive pelvic fluid, which requires surgical treatment. Post-surgery, there could be pelvic adhesion, leading to partial fallopian tube adhesion, which may result in blockages or obstructions in the fallopian tubes. Therefore, during pregnancy, an ectopic pregnancy may occur, and even infertility, particularly in some women who do not seek timely medical treatment after a corpus luteum rupture. This leads to the spread of pelvic inflammatory disease, which may even develop into chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. It is essential to be cautious and avoid vigorous physical activities to prevent the dangerous rupture of the corpus luteum.

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Which department should I go to for infertility treatment?

For infertility issues, one should first visit a formal hospital. At the hospital, men can choose to see either a traditional Chinese medicine andrologist or a Western medicine andrologist, while women can opt to visit a traditional Chinese medicine infertility specialist, or a gynecology or obstetrics department. After consulting these departments, doctors will conduct various tests to identify and rule out causes of infertility. Then, based on the test results, they will administer targeted treatments or interventions. This approach helps infertility patients to conceive as soon as possible.

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How many abortions can lead to infertility?

How many abortions lead to infertility is uncertain. Some people become infertile after just one abortion, while others may still be able to conceive normally after four or five abortions. This varies greatly depending on the individual's constitution, their condition after the procedure, and the doctor performing the surgery. Some people have weaker immune systems and may experience infections within the uterine cavity after surgery; such conditions can easily lead to uterine adhesions and blockages in the fallopian tubes, resulting in infertility. Others with stronger immune systems can recover quickly after surgery, generally without impacting their ability to conceive. Inexperienced surgeons might cause damage to the endometrium and uterine adhesions, which can also lead to infertility.