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Laura Ancuta
Pregnancy, though a joy for some, brings a heart-stopping pain for others. Infertility defines exactly as it’s written: “in fertile,” or unable to conceive a child. This abnormality, though called an abnormality, is not as abnormal as it may seem. 10-15% of all couples generally have some problems with conceiving the first time they try. Usually, infertility occurs in both males and females with each being equally responsible for the causes of infertility.
So, How Do You Know?
Females tend to show more obvious symptoms which include: the absence of menstrual periods, irregularity of menstrual periods, painful menstrual periods, and multiple miscarriages. Males with small testicles, swelling scrotums, low sperm counts, or hereditary infertility are highly at risk for infertility.
What’s Age Got To Do With It?
Females over the age of 35 are at larger risks because of the absence of hormones regulating the eggs, or the start of early menopause. After the age of 40, most of the time, it will be impossible to conceive because the eggs will no longer have the opportunity to be nourished in the uterus. Unfortunately for males, age is not a problem. Men produce sperm constantly throughout their lives, therefore a male can conceive even at the age of 80!
Males, It’s Your Fault!
If sperm is not properly delivered, there is less of a chance that it will reach the egg (premature ejaculation). There are certain genetic diseases that weaken the sperm’s chance of reaching the eggs (cystic fibrosis). Damage to the reproductive organs, or structural issues in the testicles, all lower the sperm’s chance of reaching the egg. Sexualally transmitted diseases cause abnormal sperm production. Depending on the problems in the reproductive system, all of these can cause serious damage to the quality of sperm.
Females, It’s Your Fault!
If the egg is not released from the fallopian tubes properly, it may have issues being nourished in the uterus, and can possibly result in a miscarriage. Too much hormone production can affect the menstrual cycle, which interferes with the passage of the egg through the fallopian tubes. An unsymmetrical shape of the uterus results in an unsuitable home for the egg and will certainly lead to a miscarriage. Any tumors (benign or malignant) in the uterus or tubes creates a blockage which decreases the chances of the eggtraveling. Pregnancy can also occur in the fallopian tubes (a rare condition called endometriosis!) which decreases the chance of the fertilization surviving because the tubes do not provide suitable conditions to house a baby during pregnancy. Scar tissue can also limit the chances of conception, as the tissue binds to organs. This is typically more common in women who have already had children via c-section. If the operation is unsuccessful, scar tissue binds to the uterine lining, and makes it nearly impossible to house a future embryo in the uterus, thus resulting in a miscarriage.
Who’s Fault Is It?
Although most infertility stems from both problems of the male and females, outside factors can create many causes even when the male and female are both healthily able to reproduce. Pollution, second-hand smoking (smoking, in general), air toxins, poisonous gases, etc. all affect the chances of a healthy, successful pregnancy as they can deteriorate the baby even before he/she is born. Stress, over-exercising, poor sleeping habits, etc. all influence sperm production and menstrual cycles, so even though both partners are seemingly healthy, these habits can influence conception greatly. One of the worst/emotional evils of infertility is in fact hereditary. If generations have had trouble conceiving, mostly you will too. Genetic disorders passed down in chromosomes can create the abnormal growth of the embryo, thus resulting in a miscarriage.
How Do We Fix It?
In men, the process can be quite simple. Changing lifestyle factors can easily improve the quality and quantity of sperm. More sleep, eliminating harmful substances (nicotine, etc.), more exercise, change in eating habits, and frequent intercourse all can easily contribute to healthier sperm. Implementing a new medication regimen can produce more sperm. Retreving sperm when ejaculations are low can harbor the sperm, which can then be injected into the woman if conception cannot occur through intercourse. In females, the process is more difficult since they actually house the future baby. Frequent hormone injections can regulate the menstrual cycle; however, these injections can be quite painful and can result in bruising along the female body. Intrauterine insemination is also a possibility, whereby the sperm isharbored from the male and then injected into the female uterus. Also a painful process, that may cause emotional havoc in a woman. The last step would be to use a surrogate. If all of these treatments are successful for both the male and female, surrogacy is always an option. In surrogacy the man’s sperm and the women’s egg are forced to fertilize in a lab, and then the fertilization is implanted in a woman who willingly participates and agrees to house and give birth to the baby for nine months. Surrogacy is widely unpopular because the emotional connection is lost. During pregnancy, the mom and the baby bond by means of touch and voice, so it’s possible the baby won’t even recognize its true mother after it is born. Even in birth, there is an emotional connection. If the real mother is not giving birth she can imitate guilt for not doing her part as a mother and then may refuse to raise the child after all (a melancholy truth).
Sad, But Beautiful
Infertility can bring much pain and suffering to a family, but through millions of tests and treatments, miracles can occur. Some may say that it is all based on luck, and that only the chosen ones can reproduce. Others contemplate with science. Many new discoveries have made it possible to conceive when it is practically impossible. However, nothing is impossible. If it is meant to happen, it will certainly happen. If an 80 year old man can generate enough sperm to conceive a child, then a couple undergoing infertility treatments certainly will have a chance. There is always a chance when there is a will. Keeping the faith is only the first step.
WORK CITED
“Infertility | Infertility Treatments.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 3 Sept. 2020, medlineplus.gov/infertility.html.
“Infertility.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 25 July 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infertility/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354322.
“Infertility: Causes, Diagnosis, Risks, and Treatments.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/165748.
*All photos are via Googl