Infertility: Causes and treatment

 

According to the Key Statistics from the National Survey of Family Growth — an American organisation, the number of women aged 15-44 with impaired fecundity [impaired ability to have children] is 6.7 million, representing 10.9 per cent of the American population between 2006 and 2010 when the data was assessed.

The statistics provided suggests that the number of married women aged 15-44 that are infertile [unable to get pregnant for at least 12 consecutive months] is 1.5 million, representing 6.0 per cent of the population.

This brings the number of women in America aged 15-44 who have never used infertility services to a total of 7.4 million.

According to the renowned reproductive endocrinologist, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru of the MART Clinic, Maryland, Lagos, among men, sperm disorders account for most common cause of male infertility and are often symptomatic of other diseases or disorders.

He says some causes of male infertility include low semen volume; normal semen volume is 1.0-6.5 milliliters (mL) per ejaculate. In very rare cases, there is an absence of semen, termed Aspermia.

Another cause of male infertility is

low sperm count. Normal sperm count is defined by the World Health Organisation as having over 20 million sperm per mL. A count of under 20 million/mL is termed oligospermia, while the absence of sperm altogether is termed Azoospermia.

While no one knows exactly why, many researchers agree that sperm counts have been declining for decades.

Sperm motility is another crucial factor that will determine whether or not a couple would be able to achieve pregnancy. It refers to the forward motion capacity of the sperm. In this case, eight million sperm per mL with good motility is considered normal.

The shape of the sperm, technically referred to as sperm morphology is another crucial factor in male fertility. Morphology refers to the shape of the sperm. Seventy per cent normally-shaped sperm indicates good morphology; and abnormally shaped sperm appear with malformed heads, (including two heads, tiny heads, round heads) and tails (two tails, short tails). These shapes tend to affect their motility.

Other male infertility causes include liquefaction time, pH levels, and fructose levels. Experts say that an off-average number in any factor can signify infertility.

Again, weight is an issue in male infertility. Fertility doctors say increased body mass may be associated with decreased male fertility, as obesity creates relatively high levels of the female-associated hormone estrogen.

Indeed, statistics say about 12 per cent of the total couple population — or more than seven million couples — accounts for the number of couples having difficulties with getting pregnant. Generally, the inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse and the inability to carry a pregnancy into its full term characterise infertility.

Experts say while 75 per cent of infertility cases are caused by biological make up such as sperm count problems, ovulation problems and fallopian tube abnormalities, about 25 per cent of the cases are due to complications caused by sexually transmitted diseases resulting from unprotected sex with multiple partners. Ten per cent of the cases are caused by Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

The age of a woman has also been reported to be a mitigating factor of infertility. A woman is most fertile at the age of 20 to 32. After 40s, a woman’s chance to conceive is significantly reduced by 37 per cent, and at the age of 45, a woman’s fertility dips to a low of 15 per cent.

They also say that other factors contributing to infertility only make up about 20 per cent of the total infertility cases. These external factors are often environment acquired and include use of toxic substances.

Men who are diagnosed with infertility are often due to lifestyle practices, and only about 10 per cent of male infertility is caused by biological make up, such as hormonal imbalance resulting to less production of testosterone, consequence of a childhood disease like mumps, and inherent low sperm count.

Stress also plays a significant role in a person’s fertility. For both men and women, this 20 per cent “external factor” is considered to be the pivotal key affecting a couple’s chance to conceive.

Again, lifestyle and personal habits like excess alcohol intake, cigarette smoking and intake of medical drugs also play a big role in fertility. These components are significant factors affecting sperm count, sperm motility and sperm shape.

Experts warn that the earlier infertility is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances of conception.

While there are numerous options and procedures to help couples overcome infertility and help them build a family of their own, fertility experts confess that most available procedures are expensive and therefore beyond the reach of most couples. Worse still is the fact that success rate of some of the procedures is still less than 45 per cent.

To help couples with fertility challenge, therefore, Nigerian healthcare giant, Fidson Healthcare Plc, in collaboration with international fertility experts, has made available in the country two separate herbo-mineral supplements for the treatment of male and female infertility respectively. They are M2-Tone tablets and syrup for women, and Addyzoa capsules for men.

Four researchers: Rajeev Kumar and Vaibhav Saxena of the Department of Urology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India; and Monis Bilal Shamsi, S Venkatesh and Rima Dada of the Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India respectively, contend that there are very few scientifically validated medical management options for men with abnormalities of sperm density, movement, and morphology or shape of no known cause. “This perpetuates the use of a large number of drugs of unproven benefit,” they warn.

Writing in the Indian Journal of Urology, the quartet confirm the efficacy and safety of the Ayurvedic preparation, Addyzoa, in improving seminal parameters.

They say, “Addyzoa has been investigated in a three-month, randomised, placebo-controlled trial of 50 men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratospermia (generalised abnormalities of sperm density, movement, and morphology or shape, with no known cause).

“At the end of the treatment period, there was a statistically significant improvement in sperm density, motility, and morphology in patients receiving Addyzoa, but not in those receiving placebo.”

On its own, M2-Tone is a comprehensive herbal supplement for menstrual disorders, and is also deemed the most trusted and clinically endorsed formulation for dysfunctional uterine bleeding and infertility.

The researchers say, “M2-Tone has a potent pro-estrogenic agent Saraca indica, which corrects estrogenic insufficiency and improves ovarian functions; it maintains nutritional balance and improves endometrial health; M2-Tone restores emotional balance by relieving anxiety and tension with its mild tranquilising agents like Withania somnifera, Nardostachys jatamansi, Emblica officinalis. It also helps in Assisted Reproductive Techniques protocols.”

The drugs are available in leading pharmacies.

Share your thoughts....thanks!