Health and LifeStyle

Archive for April, 2009

Female infertility is a growing problem which has to be rooted out from the society. It means the disability to conceive or produce offspring. The main cause for infertility is poor reproductive system that impairs the ability of the body to perform necessary functions of reproduction.

The most common causes of female infertility include fallopian tube damage or blockage, endometriosis, ovulation disorders, elevated prolactin, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), early menopause, benign uterine fibroids and pelvic adhesions.

• Fallopian tube damage or blockage. Fallopian tube damage usually results from inflammation of the fallopian tube (salpingitis). Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease, is the most frequent cause. Tubal inflammation may go unnoticed or cause pain and fever. Tubal damage is the major risk factor of a pregnancy in which the fertilized egg is unable to make its way through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterus (ectopic pregnancy). One episode of tubal infection may cause fertility difficulties. The risk of ectopic pregnancy increases with each occurrence of tubal infection.
• Endometriosis. Endometriosis occurs when the uterine tissue implants and grows outside of the uterus — often affecting the function of the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes. These implants respond to the hormonal cycle and grow, shed and bleed in sync with the lining of the uterus each month, which can lead to scarring and inflammation. Pelvic pain and infertility are common in women with endometriosis.
• Ovulation disorders. Some cases of female infertility are caused by ovulation disorders. Disruption in the part of the brain that regulates ovulation can cause low levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Even slight irregularities in the hormone system can affect ovulation. Specific causes of hypothalamic-pituitary disorders include injury, tumors, excessive exercise and starvation.
• Elevated prolactin (hyperprolactinemia). The hormone prolactin stimulates breast milk production. High levels in women who aren’t pregnant or nursing may affect ovulation. An elevation in prolactin levels may also indicate the presence of a pituitary tumor. In addition, some drugs can elevate levels of prolactin. Milk flow not related to pregnancy or nursing can be a sign of high prolactin.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In PCOS, your body produces too much androgen hormone, which affects ovulation. PCOS is associated with insulin resistance and obesity.
• Early menopause (premature ovarian failure). Early menopause is the absence of menstruation and the early depletion of ovarian follicles before age 35. Although the cause is often unknown, certain conditions are associated with early menopause, including immune system diseases, radiation or chemotherapy treatment, and smoking.
• Benign uterine fibroids. Fibroids are benign tumors in the wall of the uterus and are common in women in their 30s. Occasionally they may cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes.
• Pelvic adhesions. Pelvic adhesions are bands of scar tissue that bind organs after pelvic infection, appendicitis, or abdominal or pelvic surgery. This scar tissue formation may impair fertility.

Other causes. A number of other causes can lead to infertility in women:

• Medications. Temporary infertility may occur with the use of certain medications. In most cases, fertility is restored when the medication is stopped.
• Thyroid problems. Disorders of the thyroid gland, either too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism), can interrupt the menstrual cycle and cause infertility.
• Cancer and its treatment. Certain cancers — particularly female reproductive cancers — often severely impair female fertility. Both radiation and chemotherapy may affect a woman’s ability to reproduce. Chemotherapy may impair reproductive function and fertility in men and women.
• Other medical conditions. Medical conditions associated with delayed puberty or amenorrhea, such as Cushing’s disease, sickle cell disease, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease and diabetes, can affect a woman’s fertility.
• Caffeine intake. Excessive caffeine consumption reduces fertility in the female.

The primary organs of reproduction of the male sex include just the penis and the testes. But these organs, especially the testes, are under a complex cycle of hormonal and chemical influences. Problems with any of these could result in infertility or poor fertility.

A number of things can cause impaired sperm count or mobility, or impaired ability to fertilize the egg. The most common causes of male infertility include abnormal sperm production or function, impaired delivery of sperm, general health and lifestyle issues, and overexposure to certain environmental elements.

Impaired production or function of sperm. Most cases of male infertility are due to problems with the sperm, such as:

• Impaired shape and movement of sperm. Sperm must be properly shaped and able to move rapidly and accurately toward the egg for fertilization to occur. If the shape and structure (morphology) of the sperm are abnormal or the movement (motility) is impaired, sperm may not be able to reach or penetrate the egg.
• Low sperm concentration. A normal sperm concentration is greater than or equal to 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen. A count of 10 million or fewer sperm per milliliter of semen indicates low sperm concentration (subfertility). A count of 40 million sperm or higher per milliliter of semen indicates increased fertility. Complete failure of the testicles to produce sperm is rare, affecting very few infertile men.
• Varicocele. A varicocele is a varicose vein in the scrotum that may prevent normal cooling of the testicle, leading to reduced sperm count and motility.
• Undescended testicle. Undescended testicle occurs when one or both testicles fail to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum during fetal development. Because the testicles are exposed to the higher internal body temperature, compared with the temperature in the scrotum, sperm production may be affected.
• Testosterone deficiency (male hypogonadism). Infertility can result from disorders of the testicles themselves, or an abnormality affecting the hypothalamus or pituitary gland in the brain that produces the hormones that control the testicles.
• Genetic defects. In the genetic defect Klinefelter’s syndrome, a man has two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome instead of one X and one Y. This causes abnormal development of the testicles, resulting in low or absent sperm production and possibly low testosterone.
• Infections. Infection may temporarily affect sperm motility. Repeated bouts of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, are most often associated with male infertility. These infections can cause scarring and block sperm passage. If mumps, a viral infection usually affecting young children, occurs after puberty, inflammation of the testicles can impair sperm production. Inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis), urethra or epididymis also may alter sperm motility.

In many instances, no cause for reduced sperm production is found. When sperm concentration is less than 5 million per milliliter of semen, genetic causes could be involved. A blood test can reveal whether there are subtle changes in the Y chromosome.

Impaired delivery of sperm. Problems with the delivery of sperm from the penis into the vagina can result in infertility. These may include:

• Sexual issues. Often treatable, problems with sexual intercourse or technique may affect fertility. Difficulties with erection of the penis (erectile dysfunction), premature ejaculation, painful intercourse (dyspareunia), or psychological or relationship problems can contribute to infertility. Use of lubricants such as oils or petroleum jelly can be toxic to sperm and impair fertility.
• Retrograde ejaculation. This occurs when semen enters the bladder during orgasm rather than emerging out through the penis. Various conditions can cause retrograde ejaculation including diabetes, bladder, prostate or urethral surgery, and the use of certain medications.
• Blockage of epididymis or ejaculatory ducts. Some men are born with blockage of the part of the testicle that contains sperm (epididymis) or ejaculatory ducts. Some men lack the tube that carries sperm (vas deferens) from the testicle out to the opening in the penis.
• No semen (ejaculate). The absence of ejaculate may occur in men with spinal cord injuries or diseases. This fluid carries the sperm from the penis into the vagina.
• Misplaced urinary opening (hypospadias). A birth defect can cause the urinary (urethral) opening to be abnormally located on the underside of the penis. If not surgically corrected, this condition can prevent sperm from reaching the woman’s cervix.
• Anti-sperm antibodies. Antibodies that target sperm and weaken or disable them usually occur after surgical blockage of part of the vas deferens for male sterilization (vasectomy). Presence of these antibodies may complicate the reversal of a vasectomy.
• Cystic fibrosis. Men with cystic fibrosis often have missing or obstructed vas deferens.

General health and lifestyle. A man’s general health and lifestyle may affect fertility. Some common causes of infertility related to health and lifestyle include:

• Emotional stress. Stress may interfere with certain hormones needed to produce sperm. Your sperm count may be affected if you experience excessive or prolonged emotional stress. A problem with fertility itself can sometimes become long term and discouraging, producing more stress. Infertility can affect social relationships and sexual functioning.
• Malnutrition. Deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamin C, selenium, zinc and folate may contribute to infertility.
• Obesity. Increased body mass may be associated with fertility problems in men.
• Cancer and its treatment. Both radiation and chemotherapy treatment for cancer can impair sperm production, sometimes severely. The closer radiation treatment is to the testicles, the higher the risk of infertility. Removal of one or both testicles due to cancer also may affect male fertility.
• Alcohol and drugs. Alcohol or drug dependency can be associated with poor health and reduced fertility. The use of certain drugs also can contribute to infertility. Anabolic steroids, for example, which are taken to stimulate muscle strength and growth, can cause the testicles to shrink and sperm production to decrease.
• Other medical conditions. A severe injury or major surgery can affect male fertility. Certain diseases or conditions, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, Cushing’s syndrome, or anemia may be associated with infertility.
• Age. A gradual decline in fertility is common in men older than 35.

Environmental exposure. Overexposure to certain environmental elements such as heat, toxins and chemicals can reduce sperm count either directly by affecting testicular function or indirectly by altering the male hormonal system. Specific causes include:

• Pesticides and other chemicals. Herbicides and insecticides may cause female hormone-like effects in the male body and may be associated with reduced sperm production and testicular cancer. Lead exposure may also cause infertility.
• Overheating the testicles. Frequent use of saunas or hot tubs can elevate your core body temperature. This may impair your sperm production and lower your sperm count.
• Substance abuse. Use of cocaine or marijuana may temporarily reduce the number and quality of your sperm.
• Tobacco smoking. Men who smoke may have a lower sperm count than do those who don’t smoke.

Reproduction is one of the more important mechanisms, that we humans are equipped of. In the absence of this, some of us may consider the valuable loss of life. This is probably why once a couple does not conceive within a 1-year period of unprotected sexual intercourse, they become anxious that they may be subject to infertility.

In fact, the symptom of not conceiving in 1 year alone is one good basis for diagnosing infertility.

There is not much that the medical community hasn’t unraveled yet when it comes to infertility. This article will focus on the causes of infertility for both men and women.

Causes of Female Infertility

Endometriosis- this is a condition characterized by the growth of the endometrial tissue outside the uterus. This tissue is the substance women discharge during menstruation.

Ovulation problem- a condition that arises from abnormality in the release of hormones that drive the release of mature eggs from the ovaries.

Poor egg quality- the weakness or damage in the egg cells usually characterizes poor egg quality. Age is primarily the root cause since as women mature, their eggs mature with them. This condition eventually leads to menopause.

Polycystic ovary syndrome- formation of small cysts in the ovaries may be the result of irregular ovulation or hormonal imbalances.

Female tube blockages- once the passage of the eggs towards the uterus or the sperm towards the ovaries is blocked, conception would be impossible since the meeting of the two cells won’t facilitate. Causes of this condition may be pelvic inflammatory disease and several forms of sexually transmitted disease.

Causes of Male Infertility

Male tube blockages- this may occur either at the epididymis or the vas deferens, both of which are sperm passages. However, varicoceles located at the testicles account for the leading cause of this condition.

Sperm problems- this could be anything from the absence of sperm cells to low sperm count along with poor sperm quality and sperm deformation.

Sperm allergy- this may the product of the immune system’s reaction towards any phenomenon that attracts brain signals sending the reaction of the system. Men usually experience this after having vasectomy.

Combination of Female and Male Factors

This occurs when both couples present conditions that may be identified as causes of infertility

Many people may be infertile during their reproductive years. They may be unaware of this because they are not seeking to create a pregnancy. On any one occasion, the chance of pregnancy is just one percent. About one in seven couples in the United States are infertile. Age, lifestyle and physical problems can all contribute to infertility.

Infertility Cancer and its treatment may sometimes put female survivors at risk for infertility. Infertility means not being able to get pregnant or maintain a pregnancy, usually after you have been trying for over a year. There are many different causes for infertility in cancer survivors. While it’s best to discuss your risk for infertility before treatment begins, there are still options for cancer survivors who may experience infertility as a result of cancer or its treatment.

Infertility affects approximately 10% of the population. Since infertility strikes diverse groups-affecting people from all socioeconomic levels and cutting across all racial, ethnic and religious lines- chances are great that a friend, relative, neighbor or perhaps you are attempting to cope with the medical and emotional aspects of infertility.

If you’ve been trying to conceive for more than a year, there’s a chance that something may be interfering with your efforts to have a child. Infertility may be due to a single cause in either you or your partner, or a combination of factors that may prevent a pregnancy from occurring or continuing.

Infertility or possible infertility may affect you emotionally. If you want to have children, it’s perfectly understandable if thinking about being infertile makes you feel sad or upset. This document outlines the physical causes of infertility and options for survivors who may have difficulty having children. It does not explain how infertility can affect you emotionally, which is something you may want to discuss with a mental health professional.

Causes of infertility can be found in about 90% of infertility cases but, despite extensive tests, about 10% of couples will never know why they cannot conceive. Between 10 – 30% of cases of infertility have more than one cause. Male or female infertility each account for about 30 – 40% of cases. In men, sperm defects (their quality and quantity) are usually responsible. Female infertility is more complex.

Roughly one-third of infertility cases can be attributed to male factors and another one-third to factors that affect women. For the remaining infertile couples, infertility is caused by a combination of problems in both partners (about 13%) or is unexplained (about 10%). The most common causes of male infertility include azoospermia (no sperm cells are produced) and oligospermia (few sperm cells are produced). Sometimes, sperm cells are malformed or they die before they can reach the egg. In rare cases, male infertility is caused by a genetic disease such as cystic fibrosis or a chromosomal abnormality.

Infertility affects men and women equally. About one-third of the cases are due to a male factor, one-third to the female and the remaining to the combination of both partners. Causes of infertility include a wide range of physical as well as emotional factors. For a woman to be fertile, her reproductive organs must be healthy and functional. To conceive a child, the ovaries must release healthy eggs regularly and her reproductive tract must allow the eggs and sperm to pass into her fallopian tubes for a possible union.

Bouts of depression is a common phenomenon. Even very happy persons and great saints have to pass through the tides of depression. Static state of anything thing or emotion can be very boring in life. If there is no night how can you enjoy the day? If there is no sorrow in life how can you enjoy fun? So these things are as interrelated as hope and depression. Depression becomes a problem when the period of depression is so long that it starts damaging us physically and mentally. Therefore it is necessary to learn to ride over depression successfully.

If an innocent person is kept in the prison for long he may become emotionally shattered. But if he learns to live there he may be able to come out in a very healthy and enlightened state even after ten or twenty years. See the example of Nelson Mandella and scores of others prisoners who spent the golden years of their life in jail but nothing could break them. In the similar way depression can never break you if you learn to manage it well.

1. BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE

Whenever you are depressed you must make yourself physically active to use the excess energy of your mind. Feeling of depression releases a negative energy in your mind that weakens your enthusiasm and hope regarding life and work. It also weakens the immune system of your body making it a breeding ground of many diseases. This energy can best be used by some vigorous physical exercise. Do the exercise you like. You may play music or your favourite songs along with it.

2. GO SOMEWHERE

Another way to use the negative energy and divert your mind is to wander aimlessly any where. Sit in any local bus or train and go to any direction. Roam in the markets. Sit in any restaurant and eat or drink anything you want. Don’t return to home till you are absolutely tired. Be sure that your wallet contains some money.

3. TALK TO A CLOSE FRIEND

Discuss your problems to a close friend. Whatever is there in your heart try to bring it out. Sharing a problem to a close friend loses the intensity of negative force. Good friends are able to bring you out of depression. They understand your psychology and your problems. They may come up with some good ideas to help you face your depression in a positive way.

4. EXPRESS WHAT IS THERE IN YOUR MIND

Switch on your computer, create a personal file with a password and start writing your feelings. Express the actual feeling, don’t hide anything. With a friend you have to be cautious sometimes so that you don’t annoy him even unintentionally. But you can pour out your whole heart to the computer and it will never get angry or tired. When you are able to shed away some of your repressed feelings you will feel somewhat relieved.

5. DEPRESSION MAY BE BENEFICIAL

Never think that every wave of depression is harmful. Sometimes it is the beginning of a big idea or creation. Your mind is busy in finding or creating something new and marvellous. When that period passes the depression starts melting. Your mind starts creating something fantastic which brings new zest and hope. So have confidence that something much better will happen after the tide of depression.