Infertility

- refer to the absence of conception after a year of unprotected intercourse

Causes of infertility (Female)

1. unovulatory disorders
2. blocked fallopian tube
3. aging

Causes of infertility among Males:

1. poor or absent sperm
2. impotence

Most modifiable risk factors:

1. diet
2. lifestyle habits
3. STD
4. drugs
5. exposure to environmental contaminants
6. disease

Less common causes:

1. genetic malformations of the reproductive tract
2. endocrine disorders

Solutions/Treatment:
1. proper timing
2. counselling
3. correction of lifestyle habits
4. treatment of health disorders
5. adaption of modern assisted reproductive technologies
6. adoption of a child born to different parents

What is assisted Reproductive Technologies ( ART's) ?

- this refers to all fertility treatments that use drugs to stimulate ovulation or involve the
handling of the egg, sperm or both

In - vitro fertilization: best known method of ART

- involves:
1. aggressive ovarian stimulation
2. engineering fertilization in the couple or donors the laboratory with eggs and sperms
from the embryo culture
3. selectively harvesting timely embryos for implantation/embryonic transfer
4. embryo cryopreservation

The main detriments of ART:

1. religious reason
2. cost
Reproduction can be facilitated by:
1. guidance
2. regulation of menstrual cycle
3. correction of underlying disorders

Cryopreservation:
1. manipulated human beings
2. use as means to increase implantation
3. for research
4. violates the respect for life

Dependence of the Success of ART:

1. cause of infertility
2. drugs administered
3. ART techniques employed
4. age of patient
5. source of eggs

Risks of ART:
1. multiple births
2. premature deliveries
3. adverse effects of hormones
4. stress
5. anxiety of couples (threaten the stability of marriage)

What is Fertility Preservation?

- refers to saving or protecting an individual's reproductive tissues or cells for
procreation purposes