INFERTILITY

INFERTILITY, SOME CAUSES & ITS REMEDIES

Definition; infertility can be defined as the inability of a woman to conceive or of a man to bring about conception after 2 years un-interrupted coitus or sexual intercourse between the two married partners.

Barrenness: This can be defined as the state of being unable to produce or bear children.

CAUSES OF INFERTILITY

1.     Blockage of uterine or Fallopian tubes, often the consequence of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

SOME CAUSES OF PID:  Are gonorrhea, staphylococcus, tuberculosis, Streptoccoci, Escheria-Coli, Chlamydia Trachomalis, Appendix perforation, multiple sexual intercourse, frequent intercourse, sex with a partner with sexually transmitted disease (STD), Intrauterine device (IUD) insertion, also blockage of the cervix by thick hostile mucus.

2.     Anatomical abnormalities e.g. Retroversion (tilting backwards) of the uterus. i.e. when the uterus shift from the normal position by moving upward or downward.

3.     Endocrine factors; any abnormalities of the glands and hormones governing the menstrual cycle can interfere with, for example, ovulation or the uterine cycle.

4.     a). Low body weight e.g. in anorexia nervosa, or severe malnourishment.

     b). Drugs, alcohol, smoking, contraceptive use (pills)

5.     Endometriosis which is the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, most commonly in the ovaries, uterine tubes, and other pelvic structures. This ectopic tissue e.g. uterine endometrial cause fluctuations in sex hormone level during menstrual cycle, causing menstrual type bleeding into the lower abdomen and in the ovaries.

Ovarian endometriosis or tumors, can lead to pelvic inflammation & infertility

6.     a). Myoma (fibroid) may cause infertility when it blocks the space where sperm passes to fertilize the ovum or ova.

b). Systemic   disease like diabetes mellitus, renal failure, physical disorder i.e. obesity, anorexia nervosa, excessive exercise.

7.     Other things that can cause infertility are:

(i)                Wrong position during coitus

(ii)              emotional factors like stress, unhappiness

(iii)            Weakness of penis

(iv)            Low sperm count

(v)              Anovulation

(vi)            Poor ejaculation.

(vii)          Lack of sexual drive or interest from both partners or one person

(viii)        Not having much time to meet as husband & wife during ovulation period.

(ix)            Dyspanuria that  is painful coitus due to infection or wound inside vagina or on penis

(x)              Infection (STD) in male can cause damage to germinal of the seminiferous tubules      which may cause sterility i.e. the sperm content (quality) will be reduced there by affecting the egg fertilization.

(xi)            Defective implantation in female uterus

       SOME SUGGESTED REMEDIES OR WAY-OUT

1.     Ensure patency of the fallopian tubes

2.     Try to treat infections mainly STD and toilet infections.

3.     Ensure that you have ovulation at the period it supposes to show forth and if there is anovulation, you correct it so that you will be seeing your ovulation, for without it no conception takes place.

4.     Make sure the uterus is in the normal position by going for CT scan & ultra sound to be  sure of its being in the normal position

5.     a). Remove any blockage in the uterus by conservative or surgical intervention

     b). Do hormonal analysis.

6.     There should be adequate nourishment during period of expectancy of pregnancy i.e. time of coming together.

7.     You must have full time to come together as husband and wife during ovulation period ie (within the 4 days ) when ovulation takes place, knowing it is only one day the egg or ovum is being fertilized by the sperm and you don’t know the day out of the four days of ovulating.

8.     The two parties must have the sexual drive before coming together, if not, it may affect it negatively.

9.     The woman should take the normal position during coitus to enable sperm move or enter into the right place for egg to receive it for fertilization in the absence of any other impediments.

10.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           a. The man should ensure that sperm count is normal by taking specimen to laboratory    scientist for semen analysis.

 b. Do hormonal analysis

11. Also the man should ensure that the sperm or semen is healthy and lively which is known through laboratory tests i.e. do semen analysis.

12. Avoid emotional and body stress, for it affects conception too much.

13. Give yourself rest within the period of ovulation to prevent stress and joyfully have sexual intercourse with expectation of taking in i.e. conceiving.

14. If you want male child, the woman should do heavy exercise that will cause her sweat and immediately meet her husband for coitus.

15. Stop jumping from one man or woman to another to prevent S.T.D, even when conception is delayed.

In conclusion: prayerfully and with faith do whatever you do. It works.