Infertility+Wiki+PK

=**Infertility by Patricia Kelley**   =

media type="file" key="infertility.m4a"



A. Infertility is the biological inability of a man or a woman to contribute to conception.**
 * Q. What exactly is infertility?

- Fallopian tube damage or blockage - Endometriosis, which is when the uterine tissue implants and grows outside of the uterus, affect the function of the reproductive organs - Ovulation disorders - High levels of the hormone prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) - High levels of the androgen hormone - Early menopause - Benign uterine fibroids which can block the fallopian tubes - Scar tissue, called pelvic adhesions, which bind organs after surgeries which may impair fertility
 * What are the Causes of Female Infertility?**



15-24 years old........... 4.1 % 25-34 years old........... 13.1 % 35 - 44 years old........ 21.4 %
 * Percentages of infertile women differ with age...**

__//Birth Defects...//__ - Low Sperm Concentration - Impaired shape and movement of sperm - If the variocle (varicose vein in the scrotum) prevents normal cooling of the testicle which reduces sperm count and mobility - Undescended testicles - If a male is born with two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome (instead of one X and one Y) which prevents normal development of the testicles resulting in low or absent sperm production and low testosterone __//Infections...//__ - Repeated contractions of sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia which can cause scarring and block sperm passage. - If the male contracts the mumps after puberty, the inflammation of the testicals can impair sperm production - Inflammation fo the prostate, urethra or epididymis can also alter sperm mobility
 * What are the Causes of Male Infertility?**



__//Sexual Problems...//__ - Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, painful intercourse or psychological problems can contribute to infertility. - Oil or petroleum lubricants can be damaging to sperm __Birth Defects...__ - Retrograde ejaculation which occurs when the semen enters the bladder during ejaculation, rather than through the penis - Blockage of epididymis or ejaculatory ducts which is a birth defect that blocks the part of the testicle that contains sperm - No semen production due to spinal cord injury or diseases - Misplaced urinary opening which is a birth defect where the urethra is located on the underside of the penis - Anti-Sperm antibodies that target sperm which weakens or destroys them.
 * What are the Causes of Impaired Delivery of Sperm? (Problems with the delivery of sperm from the penis into the vagina can result in infertility)**



1938.... One-half of 1% of men were functionally sterile 2008.... 8-12 % of men are functionally sterile *Over a 15-fold increase!!* Functionally Sterile: Sperm count is below 20 million per milliliter of semen
 * Male infertility has increased over the past 40 years!!*

- Emotional stress may interfere with hormones needed to produce sperm - Malnutrition in nutrients such as selenium, vitamin C, zinc and folate may contribute to infertility - Obesity may be associated with fertility problems in men - Radiation and chemotherapy may impair reproduction abilities in both male and female - Alcohol and drug dependency can be associated with reduced fertility. - A gradual decline in fertility is common in men older than 35 - Medications may cause temporary infertility in women - Thyroid problems can interfere with the menstrual cycle and cause infertility - Excessive caffeine consumption reduces a female's fertility
 * What are the Overall Health and Lifestyle Causes for Infertility** ?



- Pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and lead exposure may cause female hormone-like effects in males, which can lead to reduced sperm production,and testicular cancer. = Miscarriage rates are higher living near agriculture (A40 - 120 increase in miscarriage) - Frequent use of hot tubs and saunas can overheat the testicles which may lower sperm count
 * What are the Environmental Causes for Infertility**?