How Reproductive Health Is Connected to Infertility
Reproductive health encompasses family planning, sexual health, and mental and physical well-being. When people have tried to conceive for six months to one year without success, infertility may be the cause. Here are a few things that can impact your reproductive health and their connection to infertility:
Lifestyle Factors
A person’s overall physical health can have an effect on their reproductive health. For those attempting to get pregnant, both parties should avoid consuming tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drugs. Having obesity or being underweight also impacts reproduction. Exposure to toxins and pollutants can affect both female and male reproductive organs, and it may decrease the number and quality of eggs and sperm. To improve the chances of conceiving, individuals should safely exercise, eat a balanced diet, and limit environmental hazards.
Hormone Imbalance
Hormones from the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain control ovulation for women and testosterone levels for men. Endocrine system disorders can lead to a reproductive hormone imbalance, causing menstrual cycles and ovulation to become unpredictable. These disorders can also impact sperm production. If an egg and a sperm cannot merge and fertilize into an embryo, this causes couples not to become pregnant. Low-quality eggs or sperm may also prevent proper fertilization. Specialized hormone medications and ovulation tests can help couples time their intercourse and improve the likelihood of a successful conception.
Endometriosis
Pain in the pelvic region and infertility are two signs of endometriosis. This condition occurs when tissue that is similar to the endometrial lining inside the uterus grows into the abdominal area. It can grow over the ovaries and fallopian tubes, impacting their function or blocking eggs from reaching the reproductive tract to be fertilized by sperm. Our specialists at MyReceptiva focus on diagnosing and managing endometriosis. While there is currently no cure for this condition, it is treatable through procedures such as pelvic surgery to remove the excess tissue and IVF (in vitro fertilization) to increase the possibility of becoming pregnant.
Male Infertility
In male reproductive systems, infertility is mainly due to issues with the shape, mobility, or number of sperm in semen. Other causes of male infertility may include enlarged veins in the scrotum, genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis, high heat exposure to the testes, and damage to the scrotum or testicles. Untreated conditions such as erectile dysfunction and anejaculation can prevent sperm from reaching the female reproductive tract. Avoiding the overuse of saunas or hot tubs and resting items like laptops on the genitals protects sperm from damage. We work with those trying to become pregnant to understand what may prevent them from reaching their planned parenthood goals. We also assist our patients in interpreting their test results.
Improve Your Reproductive Health
MyReceptiva offers methods of testing for reproductive health conditions like endometriosis and identifying their effect on becoming pregnant. Primary infertility occurs when conception has never happened, while secondary infertility means that a couple has had one pregnancy but is unable to conceive again. Unexplained infertility is when there is no known specific cause for lack of conception. Procedures such as transvaginal ultrasounds, biopsies, blood tests, or surgeries are available to confirm and treat these conditions. Reach out to our specialists today to learn more about your reproductive health and how it impacts infertility.
