Yes, we know that the hormones responsible for ovular maturation and ovulation are greatly influenced by the limbic system (responsible for emotions) and the cerebral cortex. When a couple begins to suspect infertility, they begin to live a daily life permeated by anguish and anxiety from the moment of distrust until the investigation process and treatment. This can interfere with the couple's routine and the production of eggs and sperm.
The investigation process is delicate and requires patience and control from the couple. However, in many cases, the cause cannot be defined after all the hard work. This is called infertility without an apparent cause.
Women fear that they will have difficulty getting pregnant after using the contraceptive pill for many years. This fear is unfounded. It turns out that the pill can cover up hormonal problems that go unnoticed with its use, such as polycystic ovaries or increased prolactin. By making cycles regular, the pill gives the impression that everything is going well, which is not always true. So, when a woman stops using the pill and is unable to get pregnant, she soon thinks (wrongly) that the contraceptive is to blame.
As for the IUD, it is known that its users run a slightly higher risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (inflammation of the tubes or ovaries). Infections present in the vagina and cervix can also develop more easily due to the presence of the device's wires. In a more serious stage, obstruction of the tubes may occur, which would then lead to infertility.
Many couples ask themselves, even before they get married or decide to have children, whether they are fertile or not. It is not possible to answer this question with a single exam. Several of them are usually needed, performed simultaneously on men and women, to determine fertility. Some tests, such as hormone levels in women and spermograms in men, can be carried out easily.
Others, such as the post-coital test, imply intercourse during the fertile period without any contraceptive protection. And this can be dangerous for couples who don't want to take the risk of getting pregnant yet. Ideally, the couple should only start the investigation when they really want to have children. Rest assured, general exams such as ultrasound, Pap smears, some hormonal measurements, and some blood tests, in addition to the spermogram, are enough.
The importance of genetics in the study and treatment of the most diverse diseases has grown enormously. In the case of marital infertility, genetic changes in the Y chromosome (male chromosome) have already been identified in infertile men. However, much study and investigation still need to be carried out.
In artificial insemination, sperm is prepared in the laboratory after being collected through masturbation and is injected into the woman's uterus through a plastic probe at the time of ovulation. From the uterus, sperm spontaneously "swim" to the tube where one of them will fertilize the egg.
In the case of in vitro fertilization, the sperm is prepared in the laboratory, and the egg is removed from the woman's ovary through a needle puncture guided by ultrasound. The eggs are identified and placed in the laboratory in contact with sperm, which will penetrate the egg membrane and fertilize them. Left in culture, the fertilized eggs will undergo cell division and will then be called embryos. After approximately three to five days, the embryos are placed in the woman's uterus. If they adhere to the endometrium (the inner layer of the uterus), pregnancy begins.
Many believe that sexual potency is related to fertility. This is not true. It is clear that men with serious erection problems, which prevent them from having sexual intercourse, will not be able to deposit sperm inside the vagina. In this case, it is understandable that there is no possibility of conception. Men with premature ejaculation (who ejaculate quickly after penetration) do not necessarily have fertility problems after all the sperm is placed inside the vagina. It also cannot be said that men who maintain intense and frequent sexual activity will never have fertility problems.
It is important to remember that the number of times a man ejaculates during intercourse does not mean a greater probability of fertilization. With just one ejaculation, it is possible to obtain a sufficient quantity of sperm for fertilization. The number of ejaculations does not determine the volume and quantity of sperm present in sperm.
Infertility is a problem for couples who are unable to have children together. Therefore, it should not be seen as the exclusive responsibility of one of the spouses; the problem lies with the couple. The cause is rarely just male or female. Most of the time, it is a combination of several factors.
It is, therefore important that the couple seek medical help together. Both gynecologists and urologists who specialize in Human Reproduction are qualified to accompany the couple. In general, good clinics that deal with infertility problems have both specialists present.
Penis size does not in any way interfere with male fertility; The same cannot be said about the size of the testicles. The testicles are responsible for producing sperm and male hormones. When very small, the testicles may be atrophied and, therefore, not produce normal amounts of sperm. As there is a wide variation in the size of the testicles among men, only a specialist, after a careful genital examination, is able to say with confidence whether the testicles are normal in size or not.
There are many causes, but the most frequent are changes in the spermogram and menstrual dysfunctions. For more details, click on the causes of infertility section of this website.
In the same way that the majority of people are right-handed and the minority are left-handed, 80% of women have an anteverted (forward) uterus, and only 20% have a turned (retroverted) uterus, which is perfectly normal. A uterus is only related to infertility when it is fixed in that position as a result of pelvic infection or endometriosis. When this happens, in addition to causing pain, fixed retroversion makes fertilization processes difficult.
There is no couple who does not live a daily life permeated by anguish and anxiety during the infertility investigation and treatment process. Any resource that brings more peace of mind and security to the couple will be extremely important during treatment. Sometimes, the cause of infertility is not found. In this case, known as infertility without an apparent cause, or when the couple's routine is completely compromised and overloaded with stress and tension, the option of vacation, therapy, and other relaxation resources is very helpful. They will be able to restore the balance of the marital relationship, which is the fundamental condition for the success of the treatment.
