Infertility: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Infertility Treatment!

Infertility is arising as a widespread problem in the country, with approximately 15 to 20% of couples facing it. As these individuals struggle to fulfill their hopes of becoming parents, they turn to the best infertility treatment options. Whether you're just beginning to try or have tried a few times before this, understanding the complexities of infertility is essential.

There are many things that one must know when it comes to infertility. This guide will help you understand the different types of infertility, its causes, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and the treatment options available.

What is Infertility?

Infertility Definition: Infertility is a condition of the reproductive system where couples who have been trying to get pregnant fail to do so for one year. This may be a result of hindrance in any one of the multiple steps involved in the process of getting pregnant, from hormone release to embryo implantation.

Usually, infertility is caused by numerous factors in males and females. The infertility treatment options available for this condition are also variable. With the help of a good infertility specialist, many individuals from different cities of the country have gotten compassionate and advanced care.

As the technologies associated with the treatment plans improve, people experience better and minimally invasive options to treat the different causes of infertility.

Understanding the Different Types of Infertility

Infertility is classified into three different types. These include the following:

• Primary Infertility:

  Primary infertility is referred to as the condition in which you have never been pregnant previously, and even after frequent unprotected sexual intercourse, you are not able to conceive for 1 year. For women who are 35 or older and aren’t able to get pregnant for 6 months under the same conditions, it will also be termed primary infertility.

• Secondary Infertility:

  If you have had at least 1 successful pregnancy but aren’t able to get pregnant again, it is termed secondary infertility.

Causes of Infertility

The causes of infertility are variable among different individuals. According to an expert analysis, about 33% of infertility cases across the globe are due to male factors, and 33% can be attributed to female factors. The remaining approximately 33% are cases of unexplained infertility or infertility caused by combined factors from both partners.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the causes of infertility in males and females respectively:

Causes of Infertility in Males

Here are some of the most common male infertility causes that you must know about:

• Conditions Affecting Sperm Quality and Quantity:

  There are many conditions in males that are known to affect how much and how good are the sperms produced in their bodies. Whether a male has a medical problem like undescended testicles, genetic defects like cystic fibrosis, or other issues like diabetes, their sperm quality can be affected. Other factors contributing to this are – varicocele, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, mumps, etc.

• Dysfunctions:

  When a male has one of the many kinds of dysfunctions, such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or anejaculation, the sperm is unable to reach the reproductive tract of the female. This is also considered a cause of male infertility.

• Environmental Factors:

  Various factors associated with the environment are also known to cause infertility in men. These include – exposure to chemicals (like pesticides) and radiation. Furthermore, if your testicles are exposed to heat for prolonged periods, such as when you go to sauna or hot tubs, your sperm production ability is also affected negatively.

• Medications:

  If you are on continuous medication for diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes and problems such as depression, they may affect both sperm quality and quantity.

• Cancer Treatment:

  The rigorous approaches used for cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, are also known to affect male fertility significantly. This explains why such males prefer to get their sperm frozen before undergoing treatment so that they can fulfill their desire to have children at a later date.

Causes of Infertility in Females

Now, let us explore the significant female infertility causes in detail:

• Low Ovarian Reserve:

  Many women try for pregnancy at a later stage of their life, that is, in the late 30s and 40s. During this phase, they have a low ovarian reserve. This is when the quality and quantity of the eggs present in your ovaries are low. A low ovarian reserve acts as a significant hurdle in your journey to parenthood.

• Ovulation Disorders:

  When the ovaries fail to release eggs regularly, it is called ovulation disorder. The different causes included under ovulation-related problems include hormonal problems such as PCOS, high prolactin levels, high thyroid levels, etc. All these are known to affect your menstrual cycle and contribute to infertility. Mild Ovarian Stimulation may prove to be an effective solution to this problem. 

• Uterine Conditions:

  Various conditions of the uterus are also known to cause infertility in women. These include uterine polyps and fibroids. Fibroids are known to be one of the causes of miscarriage and premature labor as well.

• Fallopian Tube-Related Problems:

  When your fallopian tube(s) are damaged or blocked, you will face fertility problems. One of the causes of this is salpingitis (a condition where the fallopian tubes are blocked due to swelling). If you have conditions like bilateral tubal blockage, it is recommended that you get it treated before trying for a baby.

• Endometriosis:

  Endometriosis is also a very usual cause of female infertility.

• Thin Endometrium:

  When your endometrium or uterine lining is thin, the chances of successful embryo implantation are reduced, leading to failed pregnancies.

• Cancer Treatment:

  Lastly, in females as well, radiation and chemotherapy adversely affect fertility.

Some Common Risk Factors You Must Know About

There are risk factors that are common for both male and female infertility, such as:

• Age:

  Women find it more difficult to get pregnant after their mid-thirties, and their fertility drops drastically after the age of 37. On the contrary, males who are older than 40 are less fertile than those who are in their early thirties.

• Weight Issues:

  Being underweight or overweight is also among the causes of infertility in both men and women. If you have an inactive lifestyle or are obese, your semen quality will degrade. Moreover, the presence of eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia or a significantly low caloric intake elevates the chance of infertility.

• Substance Abuse:

  Finally, individuals who are addicted to substances such as alcohol, narcotics, tobacco, or marijuana may encounter numerous obstacles during the pregnancy. The effects of substances that cause these problems are – miscarriage, erectile dysfunction, lower sperm count, poor sperm motility, etc.

The Most Prevalent Infertility Symptoms

Now that you are aware of the different causes of infertility, it is time for you to learn about the signs of infertility in men and women.

• The common symptoms of infertility in men are problems with ejaculation or other penile issues. 
• The common female infertility symptoms are abdominal or pelvic pain, irregular periods, or no periods at all. If periods occur, bleeding may also be heavy.



How do you know if you should visit the best infertility doctor in Delhi? If you are a man, you should visit a doctor if you have:

• Sperm-related issues (quality, quantity, or motility)
• Had a hernia surgery
• A history of reproductive health problems
• Smaller than normal testicles
• A history of cancer treatment
• Close relatives with fertility-related issues



For females, consulting an infertility specialist is necessary if they have:

• Age of over 35 and failing to get pregnant after 6 months of frequent efforts
• Been diagnosed with infertility-related problems in the past
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Irregularity in periods
• Absence of periods
• Heavy bleeding during periods
• A history of miscarriage(s)
• Endometriosis
• Received treatment for cancer involving chemotherapy and radiation therapy



Diagnosis of Infertility: The Different Methods Used by Infertility Specialists

Accurate diagnosis is the first step to treating any disease or condition. Hence, it is important that you reach out to an infertility specialist who will use the best diagnostic techniques. After your condition is analyzed, the doctor will tailor an individualized treatment plan for you.

Methods for the Diagnosis of Male Infertility

There are many ways in which infertility in men can be diagnosed. These include:

• Semen Analysis
• Blood Tests
• Hormonal Testing
• Genetic Testing
• Scrotal Ultrasound:



Methods for the Diagnosis of Female Infertility

The following methods can be used to diagnose infertility in women:

• Pelvic Exam
• Blood Test
• Transvaginal Ultrasound
• Ovarian Reserve Testing
• Hysterosalpingography
• Thyroid Function Test



Treatment Options Available for Your Infertility Issues

By assessing your condition thoroughly and analyzing the cause of your infertility, your doctor will recommend the ideal treatment options to you. For this, you need to make sure that you are seeking help from the best infertility doctor in Delhi.

Lifestyle changes play a significant role in helping you combat the problems causing infertility and giving you a better shot at pregnancy. This is applicable to both men and women. By gaining or losing weight (as recommended by your doctor), quitting smoking and alcohol consumption, and with the intake of a proper and nutritious diet, you will be able to lead a healthier life, which is important for a successful pregnancy. Furthermore, it is important to have unprotected sex frequently, especially in the ovulation phase. A home ovulation kit is also available at your nearby pharmacies. This makes it convenient for you to track your ovulation.

Other effective treatment options are classified into three categories: Medical, Surgical, and ART (Assisted Reproductive Technologies).

Medical Treatment of Infertility:

• For Males: Male infertility treatment can be done with the help of medications for various conditions, such as to improve your sperm count, raise the level of testosterone, and treat erectile dysfunction.
• For Females: Fertility medicines are prescribed by the specialist for ovarian stimulation in females. Many drugs are available for the same purpose. After talking with you about your choices, your doctor will write a prescription. 



Surgical Treatment of Infertility:

• For Males: Through a surgical procedure, your doctor will remove sperm blockage. If required, a varicocele surgery may also be performed.
• For Females: For the surgical treatment of female infertility, the doctor will perform surgery to restore your fertility. This is done when you have polyps, fibroids, or scar tissue. The use of laparoscopy for infertility treatment is emerging as the most trusted method among doctors.



Assisted Reproductive Technology for Infertility Treatment

Modern technologies are frequently used to assist in conception in addition to medical and surgical choices! Among the several ART methods for infertility treatment, the most trusted ones are:

• IVF (In Vitro Fertilization):

  This is a fertility treatment where the egg is retrieved from a woman's ovaries and fertilized with the sperm to produce the embryo. This is then transferred to the uterus. If viable eggs are difficult to retrieve from the female’s body, approaching the egg bank for donor eggs is also a good idea. Sometimes, the doctors also recommend a freeze all strategy.

• IUI (Intrauterine Insemination):

  Also known as artificial insemination, this is the process where the sperm is directly placed into a woman's uterus around the time of ovulation to increase the chances of fertilization. It is one of the most renowned methods of infertility treatment.

• ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection):

  An embryologist's skill is needed for this approach. A single sperm is directly injected into the egg, and the resultant embryo is transferred to the uterus.

• Assisted Hatching:

  Assisted hatching involves the opening of the outer layer of the embryo so that it is better fit to be implanted into the uterine lining.

In the cases when the female’s uterus is not capable of carrying the pregnancy to term, couples often choose a surrogate instead of infertility treatment.

Bloom IVF: Your Reliable Partner for the Best Infertility Treatment in India

Now that you have understood everything about infertility and infertility treatment, you must be wondering where you will find the best care possible. The answer is – Bloom IVF! We are an experienced fertility clinic in the country, with the most seasoned experts on board to help you. The best infertility specialist in Delhi, who is dedicated to helping you, will be assigned to your case. They will discuss the problem and the different treatment options available to you. Our experts are known to ensure maximum compassion when helping you in a difficult and emotionally challenging phase of your life.

We also provide a range of other services, like PCOS treatment, PRP treatment, genetic testing, laparoscopic surgery, etc. With Bloom IVF, you can be assured of getting premium treatment plans at reasonable prices.

Looking for the best infertility treatment doctor? Get in touch with the experts at Bloom IVF now!