Know
about Infertility
Infertility implies the failure to
conceive. It is termed
v
Primary: when
conception has never occured and
v
Secondary: when the
patient fails to conceive after having a child.
How
conception happens.
Conception results from the fertilisation
of the ovum (female gamete) by the spermatozoa or sperm (male gamete). After
ejaculation the sperms migrate towards the fallopian tubes and fertilisation
takes place in the fallopian tubes. The usual life span of a sperm is estimated
to be about 24 hours; while the life span of ovum is estimated at 12 hours. So
a coitus to be capable of fertilisation, must take place within twelve hours of
ovulation (release of ovum from the ovary). That certainly explains why some
married couples fail to conceive, though they are potentially fertile. The
intercourse should be able to coincide with the short time after ovulation,
when the ovum is viable, so that chances of fertilisation are there. And even
then there are numerous factors like sperm motility, viability of sperms, etc.
before fertilisation can eventually occur.
When
does ovulation occur?
It has been concluded after considerable
research that ovulation most commonly occurs fourteen days before the onset of
the next menstrual period. For example, ovulation will occur on the 14th or
15th day in a 28 days cycle, and on the 10th day in a 24 days cycle.
Female’s
fault if conception is not occurring – Is it true?
This is a misconception because
conception depends upon the fertility of both the partners. Any fault in either
partner can lead to inferetility. Studies have shown that 40% of infertility is
due to the male partner.
Main
causes of male infertility
The commonest reason, is a low sperm
count, which can be attributed to various causes;
Ø
Idiopathic i.e., when
the exact cause is not known.
Ø
Varicocele – It is a
swollen varicose vein in the scrotum, most commonly on the left side. Blood
accumulated in the swollen testicular veins leads to increased temperature in
the testis & damages sperm production.
It can be diagnosed, by asking the
patient to stand erect and cough . The cord like structure from which the
testis hangs i.e., the spermatic cord, feels like a "bunch of worms",
on palpation.
- Duct blockage – Infection like gonorrohea,
TB, filariasis; on surgery for hernia/hydrocele may lead to blockage of
the passage between the testes and the penis. In this case sperms will be
absent from the semen(azoospermia).
- Hormonal imbalance – Hormonal imbalance due to
pituitary or adrenal gland can lead to infertility.
- Substance Abuse – Exessive intake of alcohol
and/or drugs leads to decrease in liver function and increase in levels of
the hormone Estrogen which in turn suppresses sperm production.
- Testicular factors – like twisting of testis
leading to compromised blood supply; undescended testes when the testes
lie in the abdomen; and damage due to exercise or heat can decrease sperm
production. Testes lie outside the body in the scortum because they can
produce sperms in a cooler environment. So clothes like tight jeans, nylon
briefs, and hot baths/saunas, lead to damage to sperm production.
Effect of long term medication- certain
drugs have an adverse effect on the sperm production. Some of these are
Antihypertensives- like reserpine, methyldopa, guanethidine & propranolol
ü
Corticosteroids
ü
Anabolic steroids
ü
Antipsychotics
ü
Certain anti-cancer drugs
People working with harmful chemicals
like lead, nickel, mercury, anaesthetic gases, insecticides & pesticides
and x-rays, are at increased risk of suffering from decreased sperm count.
Problems with ejaculation- Certain men
have problems with ejaculation like problem having an erection (impotence) or
inadequate erection for vaginal penetration.
Problems with erection can be due to
psychological factors like performance anxiety, inhibitions against sex and due
to physical factors like neurologic defects, diabetes, inadequate blood flow to
the penis, and also to certain hormonal problems.
Certain tests like monitoring for
nocturnal erections and measuring the blood flow through the penis may need to
be carried out.
A successful alternative that has come up
is collections of sperms by masturbation which later be used for artificial
insemination.
Another problem with ejaculation that
some men face is that the semen goes backwards into the urinary bladder instead
of being ejaculated through the penis. This can occur in men who have had
spinal injury or the ones suffering from diabetes, causing improper contraction
of urinary bladder sphincter muscle.
Infections – another common reason for
male infertility are infections like tuberculosis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and
syphilis. Mumps can lead to complications like testicular inflammation.
Infections can damage the male reproductive tract leading to duct obstruction
in some cases and decreased sperm production in others.
These have to be treated by antibiotics
and semen culture can tell whether infection is controlled or not.
How to promote fertility?
ü
Smoking & excessive alcohol intake is associated with low
sperm counts. These habits should be discontinued.
ü
Stop using drugs such as body-building steroids & illicit
drugs. Other medication such as antihypertensives should also be reviewed in
the light of effect on sperm count.
ü
Most importantly the frequency of intercourse should be
increased, so that chances of conception increase.
ü
Men should wear loose fitting underwear and cool clothes and
avoid high temperature baths like saunas etc.
ü
It is advisable that when the couple is planning pregnancy,
intercourse is done in a proper position and using proper technique. Lubricants
such petroleum jelly etc. should be avoided.
Investigations help to find fertility
A simple test is Semen Analysis.
The pre-requisites are –
- Abstinence from sex
or masturbation for 4-5 days prior to the day of test.
- The sample given
should not be more than half hour old
- It should be
collected in a wide-mouthed, clean jar by masturbation.
- The sample is to be
kept at room temperature.
Other sophisticated tests like sperm
viability test, sperm penetration assay, antisperm antibodies test may be
required in certain cases.
Testicular function can be assessed by
male hormone levels in blood of the male, or by testicular biopsy.
Treatment
Symptomatic Homeopathy & Siddha
medicines helps to Infertility
Whom to contact for
Infertility Treatment
Dr.Senthil Kumar Treats many cases of
Infertility, In his medical professional experience with successful results.
Many patients get relief after taking treatment from Dr.Senthil Kumar.
Dr.Senthil Kumar visits Chennai at Vivekanantha Homeopathy Clinic, Velachery,
Chennai 42. To get appointment please call 9786901830, +91 94430 54168 or mail
to consult.ur.dr@gmail.com,
For more details & Consultation Feel
free to contact us.
Vivekanantha
Clinic Consultation Champers at
Chennai:- 9786901830
Pondicherry:- 9865212055
Panruti:- 9443054168
For appointment please
Call us or Mail Us
For
appointment: SMS your Name -Age – Mobile Number - Problem in Single word -
date and day - Place of appointment (Eg: Rajini- 30 - 99xxxxxxx0 – Infertility,
Kulanthai illai, குழந்தையின்மை,
– 21st Oct, Sunday - Chennai ). You will
receive Appointment details through SMS
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