There is a wide range of things that can lead to infertility. And the problem is quite common, with statistics showing that as many as 1 in every 6 UK couples has challenges conceiving. It is therefore quite common to find people seeking both NHS and private obgyn London appointments for matters concerning fertility. Thankfully, some of the factors that cause fertility challenges are within your control.
What we set out to do in this article is first highlight the factors that tend to cause fertility challenges. Thereafter, we will proceed to look at the specific ways in which you can try to improve your fertility.
Factors that cause infertility
There are some specific things that tend to cause fertility problems in men too. Then there are others that tend to cause fertility problems in women. So we will start by looking at the factors that tend to cause fertility challenges in men specifically. Then we will look at those that tend to cause these problems in women. Accordingly, you can come to know what to do to improve the fertility rate.
Common causes of fertility problems in men
The factors that cause fertility problems in men fall into four categories. There are issues to do with sperm delivery. Then there are problems to do with sperm production. The other two categories are those of cancer treatment and exposure to certain elements in the environment that are harmful. Let’s look at each of these categories in turn.
Problems to do with sperm production
These include:
- Blockages in the tubes that deliver sperm
- Inability to ejaculate (anejaculation)
- Damage to the various organs that are involved in reproduction
- Certain diseases of a genetic nature – an example being cystic fibrosis
Problems to do with production of sperm (or sperm function)
Here, we have things like:
- Cases where the veins in the testes significantly enlarge
- Certain sexually transmitted infections
- Some genetic problems
- General health problems
Issues that are caused by cancer treatment
Cancer treatment tends to revolve around:
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
Unfortunately, both can cause male reproduction challenges
Exposure to certain elements in the environment that are harmful
The elements in question may include:
- Alcohol
- The smoke that comes from cigarettes
- Some illicit drugs
- Steroids (especially the anabolic ones)
- Some types of medications
- Certain chemicals
- Some forms of radiation
Common causes of fertility problems in women
Where women happen to be having problems conceiving, the underlying issue may be:
- Uterine or cervical abnormalities – including those caused by fibroids and polyps
- Disorders that affect ovulation
- When tissue that should be growing inside (and lining) the uterus grows outside – endometriosis
- Blockage of the fallopian tubes
- Damage of the fallopian tubes
- Presence of bands of scar tissue in the pelvis (as a result of previous infection, surgery and so on)
- Menopause that comes before the due time (any case of menopause before 40 is considered ‘premature’)
- Egg reserve decrease
- Some types of medical conditions
The practical ways to improve fertility
For men, improving fertility may be a question of simply:
- Ceasing smoking
- Doing away with intake of alcohol and the various illicit drugs
- Developing a habit of exercising in a moderate (yet regular) manner
- Having sex with the partner you wish to conceive with regularly (like every 2-3 days)
- Avoiding baths and tubs that are too hot, as the heat is known to hamper the production of sperm
- Avoiding medication that has potential to hamper fertility
- Ensuring that your body weight is within a healthy range
For women, improving fertility may be a question of simply:
- Ceasing smoking
- Doing away with intake of alcohol and various types of illicit drugs
- Coming up with a regular but moderate physical exercise regime
- Having regular sex (like at least every 2-3 days) with no contraception
- Trying to ensure that sex coincides with ovulation
- Seeing to it that your body weight is in a healthy range
Are there nutritional measures you can take to improve fertility?
The key thing you need to do in this regard is to ensure that you are having a balanced diet consistently. Taking folic acid (at the dosage of 400 mg each day) has been seen to be helpful for those who are trying to conceive. There is also some evidence that seems to suggest that having an unhealthy BMI can lower fertility. To ensure that your BMI remains at a healthy level (19-25), you can ensure that you avoid too-much added sugar. Excess refined carbohydrate is also to be avoided, as are trans fatty acids.
Regarding fertility supplements
Evidence that these much-touted fertility supplements actually work is very limited. Ideally, you should be obtaining the nutrients you need to maintain optimal fertility from your normal diet. It is only if you are unable to get certain nutrients from the diet then you may consider taking supplements.
Regarding fertility treatment
The point at which to consider fertility treatment is if you have been trying to conceive for one year, with no success. But if your age is above 35, then the cut-off point is 6 months. So if you are aged above 35, and you have been trying to conceive for 6 months with no success, it is time to consider fertility treatment.
Prior to the treatment, certain assessments may be done. Those include anti-mullerian hormone tests and HyCoSy test for the openness of fallopian tubes. Another one is the antral follicle count. For men, the key test is seminal analysis – which checks sperm quality and quantity.
The actual treatment may be in the form of medication. Drugs that men are often given in that regard include clomiphene and gonadotrophins. For women, those too work, as well as others like letrozole, bromocriptine, and the one known as metformin.
Besides medication, the fertility treatment may require surgery.
There are also the assisted conception measures. Those injection of sperm directly into eggs and IVF. Others are placement of sperm directly into the uterus (interuterine insemination) and use of donated eggs/sperm.
Do you feel that you need a private obgyn London appointment to discuss fertility issues? Our Private GP London clinic offers all obgyn services, including in the area of fertility.
