How does infertility arise?

Written by Zhang Wei Wei

Integrative Medicine

Updated on May 20, 2025

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Infertility can be understood as the causes of infertility. We believe that the factors hindering conception are related to both the female and male partners, with the female factors accounting for 60%, male factors accounting for 30%, and factors involving both partners accounting for 10%.

There are many causes of female infertility, primarily disorders related to ovulation and fallopian tube factors. Ovulation disorders include dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, ovarian diseases, endocrine metabolic diseases, and systemic diseases. Fallopian tube factors mainly include chronic fallopian tube inflammation, fallopian tube malformations, and pelvic adhesions. Then there are uterine factors, which include poor uterine development, uterine malformations, uterine adhesions, and endometrial tuberculosis. The fourth factor is related to the cervix. The fifth involves the vagina and perineum.

Male infertility is mainly due to abnormalities in the semen, sexual function, and immune factors.

Other Voices

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Written by Kang Jian Hua

Reproductive Center

51sec

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When should infertility be investigated?

There are many reasons for infertility, involving factors from the male, the female, or both. The specific timing for testing cannot be generalized and should be determined based on the test required. For male factors, if a semen analysis is needed, it is best to abstain from ejaculation for two to seven days and conduct the test in the morning. If testing involves blood work for six sexual hormones, it should be done in the morning on an empty stomach. A prostate examination requires urine retention before the test. For female factors causing infertility, blood tests should also be done in the morning on an empty stomach. Hysterosalpingography should be scheduled to avoid the menstrual period, ideally two to seven days after the period ends. Consult a professional physician for other specific tests.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua

Reproductive Center

1min 32sec

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What should an infertile man check?

The definitive diagnosis of male infertility requires determination based on professional examination procedures. Common examinations include the following: First, it is crucial to conduct a medical history interview. The patient should actively cooperate and honestly report their conditions, such as whether they have had mumps, any unsafe sexual behaviors, and what their occupation is. Second, a physical examination, including a general body and reproductive organ examination, is necessary. Special attention should be given to the patient's developmental, nutritional, and mental status, with a focus on the development of the reproductive organs. Third, laboratory tests. The most common is semen analysis. Other tests may be selected based on specific conditions, such as X-ray examinations to determine the location of any blockage in the vas deferens. Techniques such as vasography, epididymography, vas deferens and seminal vesicle radiography, or urethrography can be used. Testicular exams are also performed to assess the condition of the testicles. Additionally, immunological tests, including sperm agglutination and immobilization tests, are used to detect sperm agglutination antibodies or immobilization antibodies in serum or seminal plasma, which help assess the immune status.

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Written by Zhao Su Min

Obstetrics

51sec

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Why am I infertile after a cesarean section?

Infertility after cesarean section may be due to the manipulation of surgical instruments on the uterus or postoperative puerperal infection, leading to pelvic inflammation and fallopian tube blockage, resulting in infertility. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to hygiene during the puerperium after a cesarean section, monitor the recovery of the uterus and the lochia, and observe the color and odor of the lochia daily. If the uterus does not recover well, and the lochia is excessive or persists for a long time, it is important to seek medical advice early. If there is a foul odor, timely treatment is necessary to avoid chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. It is also essential to get out of bed and move around timely to prevent the formation of venous thrombosis.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

42sec

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What to do if scanty menstruation leads to infertility?

If there is infertility associated with scanty menstruation, it is important to first identify the cause. It is necessary to consider whether the scanty menstruation is due to previous intrauterine procedures, such as a history of abortion, intrauterine device insertion or removal, which could have caused endometrial damage, intrauterine adhesion, or thinning of the endometrium. Hysteroscopy for diagnosis and treatment might be required. Additionally, possible endocrine issues should be considered. Blood should be drawn during the menstrual period to check for sex hormones, thyroid hormones, and others.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua

Reproductive Center

44sec

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Is soaking feet useful for infertility?

Whether soaking feet is beneficial for patients with infertility should be analyzed based on specific circumstances, rather than generalized. For patients with a cold uterus, soaking feet can increase blood circulation, relieve the coldness of the uterus, and facilitate the implantation of the embryo. However, the duration of soaking should not be too long, nor should the water be too hot, as this may affect the survival and development of the embryo. For patients who do not have a cold uterus, there is no need to soak their feet. It is advisable to consult a professional doctor about whether to soak feet or not. Ideally, consult a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner to diagnose your physical condition before deciding if you should soak your feet and for how long.