Infertility is a problem for many couples today. Various factors can lead to this phenomenon. Sometimes the partner is involved in certain conditions leading to inability to become pregnant, and sometimes in the partner. Find out what tests are performed in the diagnosis of infertility in women and which in men, and find out why infertility and infertility are terms that describe two different he alth problems.

Infertilityis unfortunately becoming more widespread and global he alth organizations are noticing it. The problem is highlighted by the World He alth Organization (WHO), according to which nearly50 million couplesmay struggle with infertility worldwide. However, not all people from the above-mentioned group struggle with infertility - this problem is not the same as infertility.

Infertility and infertility

Often these terms are used interchangeably, but in practice they do not mean the same. Infertility occurs when a couple fails to father a child, despite a year of efforts and regular sexual intercourse, without the use of contraceptives.

This rule applies to women under 35 years of age. In patients over this age, infertility can be diagnosed after 6 months of fruitless efforts to get pregnant.

Infertility is a condition in which a patient or patient is incapable of becoming a parent. So it is possible to treat infertility, but infertility is incurable.

Causes of infertility

Infertility in women

The causes of infertility in women are different from the causes of infertility in men. Female infertility may result from:

  • ovulation disorders (related to e.g. premature ovarian failure, hyperprolactinaemia or polycystic ovary syndrome),
  • uterine problems (such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease),
  • but also from obstruction of the fallopian tubes.

Sometimes infertility in women is a consequence of treating some other disease. This situation can be observed, for example, in patients who have undergone radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Male infertility

Infertility can also affect men. The cause of male infertility may be sperm disorders (e.g. in the form of reduced sperm count or reduced mobility), which may be the result of e.g. mumps disease.

Inability to beget a child can also be related to:

  • testicular cancer,
  • varicose veins
  • or with genetic diseases such as Klinefelter's syndrome.

Infertility can occur, as in women, as a result of chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

How to recognize infertility?

The diagnosis of infertility in women and men has some common elements. This is primarily about a physical examination, i.e. a medical history. During the interview, questions are asked about the general he alth of the patient, the illnesses he suffers from and which of them he has suffered in the past.

In addition, the questions may concern the medications taken, stimulants used and the general lifestyle of the patient.

The physical examination is then performed. In women, a general gynecological examination and breast examination are performed, in men, a thorough examination of the testicles is necessary.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that in the diagnosis of infertility, it is necessary to examine not only the genitals, but actually the examination of the whole organism. It is necessary, for example, to pay attention to possible manifestations of hormonal disorders (such as, for example, hirsutism or stretch marks).

How to recognize infertility in women?

The list of tests that should be performed in the diagnosis of infertility in women is quite long.

Numerous hormonal tests are necessary: ​​

  • the levels of estrogens, FSH and LH can be determined,
  • AMH (anti-Mullerian hormone) test is often ordered to determine the so-called ovarian reserve,
  • also test other hormones, such as prolactin or thyroid hormones (mainly TSH, FT4 and FT3).

Earlier it was mentioned about the necessity to perform a gynecological examination. However, it includes not only a physical examination, but also imaging tests.

It is used in this case:

  • ultrasound,
  • hysterosalpingography (a contrast test that allows you to identify, for example, obstruction of the fallopian tubes)
  • or hysteroscopy (thanks to which it is possible to visualize the inside of the uterus and remove any adhesions or polyps from its lumen).

Sometimes in the diagnosis of female infertility it is justified to carry out other onesimaging tests, such as abdominal MRI.

We also recommend genetic tests (e.g. in suspected Turner syndrome), as well as tests for various infectious diseases (e.g. HIV, viral hepatitis or syphilis).

How to recognize male infertility?

Some of the tests that are commissioned to diagnose male infertility are the same as the tests used to diagnose female infertility. We are talking here, for example, about genetic research or research for infectious diseases.

In patients with suspected infertility, the most important is semen analysis, which assesses the number of sperm in the semen, as well as their viability and mobility.

Hormone tests (especially blood androgen concentration tests) and imaging tests (especially testicular ultrasound) are also important.

In justified cases, in the diagnosis of male infertility, more invasive tests are used, including testicular biopsy.

It is usually recommended when the patient's semen is completely free from sperm and when the results of previous tests (e.g. hormonal, genetic and imaging) do not allow determining the cause of infertility.

Infertility treatment

Infertility, at least at present, cannot be cured by medicine. However, this does not always mean that a couple in which one of the people is struggling with infertility will never be able to have children. It is possible to use in vitro fertilization (in vitro procedure).

  • Infertility - what is it? Differences between infertility and infertility
  • What are the causes of female infertility?
  • Male infertility: when a man has fertility problems

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Pregnancy