Fertility Testing for Men and Women

Male Infertility and the Factors Affecting It

Male infertility is a health issue that may lower the chances of getting a female partner pregnant. According to this study, 10% of couples suffer infertility, and almost half of the cases point to the male's sperm abnormalities as the culprit. 

Despite all the progress in boosting male fertility, lifestyle choices concerning things like sleep, food choices, and physical activity still play a large part. These factors are often thrown onto the backburner unless one intends to become more health-conscious and physically active. 

The following list gives you a breakdown of activities that can significantly influence your fertility rate.

1. Smoking

Think twice before smoking if you want to have children in the future. 

Although not something that can directly affect your ability to have offspring, smoking could aggravate existing conditions and eventually lead to infertility. 

Smoking has already been proven by researchers to harm sperm count, sperm concentration, as well as the shape of the sperm. It could also affect the motility of the sperm by about 13% for smokers! Another alarming thing about this is that smoking also damages sperm DNA, which could lead to miscarriage and poor embryo development.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol is another factor that could affect your fertility. Like smoking, alcohol does not solely destroy your sperm and reproductive health. But some of the alarming results of regular drinking are testicular atrophy and a decrease in semen volume.

3. Anatomical or genetic abnormalities

Some anatomical problems, such as varicocele or the enlargement of sperm vessels, and problems concerning the genes, such as Kleinfelter syndrome and cystic fibrosis, contribute to cases of an inability to conceive. 

Mutations in the genome or translocations of sexual genes affect a male's ability to produce healthy sperm that can survive until fertilization. Anomalies at the genetic level can also lead to miscarriage or failure of strong implantation of the zygote in the womb.

4. Systemic or neurological diseases

Another factor that may cause infertility in men is the presence of neurological disorders. A man's neurological function must be healthy to encourage proper fertilization. However, some men have erectile and ejaculation dysfunction, which seriously affects fertility.

5. Infections

Some infections could negatively impact your sperm health, as well as the capacity of your body to produce sperm. Examples of this infection are epididymitis, the inflammation of the tube that holds and transports sperm from the testes. 

Other cases of infection are sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea and HIV, which also affect fertility in men. Moreover, viral flu, like influenza, can also tamper with a sperm's genetic integrity.

6. Trauma

Trauma is another reason for an inability to conceive. Injuries could potentially cause trauma in the reproductive organs and cause scar tissue and blockages in the testes, and also the transport ducts such as the vas deferens and epididymis.

7. Gonadotoxic radiation therapy

Radiation therapies for cancer can severely impact male fertility. Not only do these affect sperm count and production, but the overall integrity of sperm health. This is why cryopreservation of sperm cells is suggested before undergoing intensive or lengthy chemo and radiation therapies.

8. Sperm antibodies

Another factor that can affect a man's fertility is the presence of ASAs. These are both present in males and females. Some antibodies can potentially bind with sperm antigens, and this could decrease a man's fertility rate.

Fertility Tests for Men

If you want to know more about your fertility and reproductive health, especially if you're intent on building a family of your own one day, you might want to do a fertility test such as the following:

Semen Analysis

This test allows you to identify the important parameters of your sperm, especially motility, volume, and DNA integrity, and possible infections that might affect fertility. You can do this in approved centers and either ejaculate on your own or use a special condom to collect the semen post-coital. This test can tell you a lot about your sperm's health and could assess the success of fertility.

Urinalysis

Certain biomarkers in a man's urine can also indicate potential fertility problems. This test signals to experts the presence of normozoospermic infertility. These sperm are infertile and cannot induce conception even if other parameters are alright.

Hormone Testing

Another important matter to discover is how hormones impact a man's body and physiological functioning. Hormones control the production of sperm, and the glands involved in this are the pituitary, hypothalamus, and testicles. The hormone levels that each of these glands produces can point to a man's virility and infertility.

A trusted home test kit is Vitall's Fertility (Sex Hormones) Home Test Kit. It's a hormonal control test that effectively analyses male sex hormones and assesses infertility risk. You can collect a blood sample, request a home nurse visit, or visit a clinic. This fertility test is fast and accurate. You'll have the results in 24 hours. 

Scrotal Ultrasound

Another way to find out one's fertility health is by scanning what's inside the scrotum, the sac which protects and contains a man's testicles. This ultrasound could check possible ailments, infections, and anatomical anomalies, leading to early diagnosis and treatment.

Female Infertility and Pregnancy

Female infertility is the woman's inability to conceive after having frequent, unprotected sex for a year. Though female infertility is challenging to diagnose, there are many treatments available based on the infertility cause. 

Pregnancy occurs through this process:

1. A mature egg is released by one of the ovaries.
2. The fallopian tube picks up the egg.
3. Sperm enters the woman's body and swims up the cervix and through the uterus until one of them reaches the fallopian tube and unites with the egg. 
4. The fertilised egg or zygote travels from the fallopian tube to the uterus where it attaches itself and grows.

The steps seem simple but some factors can disrupt them.

Factors that Can Affect Female Infertility

Here are the common causes of infertility among women:

1. Ovulation disorders

Women who ovulate infrequently or not at all are prone to infertility. It may mean reproductive hormones produced by the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland are not working properly. Ovulation disorders also occur due to problems in the ovaries.

2. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility.  It's a hormone imbalance that affects ovulation. It's also linked to other health problems like insulin resistance, obesity, acne, and abnormal growth of face and body hair. 

3. Hypothalamic dysfunction

The pituitary gland releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) monthly to stimulate ovulation. However, there are factors like stress and weight gain or loss that can disrupt the normal production of these hormones and lead to irregular and absent periods. 

4. Primary ovarian insufficiency

This happens when the ovary no longer produces egg cells due to an autoimmune response or there is a premature loss of eggs resulting from chemotherapy or genetics. 

5. Excessive prolactin

There are cases when the pituitary gland overproduces prolactin which in return reduces the production of oestrogen and causes infertility. It can also be triggered by medication taken for other conditions. 

6. Tubal infertility resulting from damaged fallopian tubes

Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes prevent sperm from fertilising the egg and can also block the zygote from going to the uterus. Fallopian tubes can be damaged by pelvic inflammatory disease and sexually transmitted diseases. Also, past surgery in the pelvis or abdomen due to ectopic pregnancy can damage the fallopian tubes.

7. Endometriosis

This is a condition where tissue that normally grows in the uterus starts to grow in other areas. It can be removed through surgery, but it also causes scarring that blocks the fallopian tubes and prevents fertilisation. If there is a fertilised egg, endometriosis will prevent its implantation. 

8. Uterine or cervical causes

Uterine and cervical issues affect the zygote's implantation and increase the risk of miscarriage. For instance, benign polyps or tumours found in the uterus can cause blockage and interfere with implantation. Problems with the uterus, such as having an abnormally shaped uterus, can interfere with conception. 

Meanwhile, those suffering from cervical stenosis or narrowing of the cervix and insufficient production of mucus to facilitate the sperm’s passage have difficulty getting pregnant.

Fertility Tests for Women

Here are some of the most common fertility tests for women:

Tests of Reproductive Organs

Having functional reproductive organs is key to getting pregnant. You may undergo procedures to check your fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries such as:

Hysterosalpingogram – also known as a "tubogram" which is a series of X-rays conducted on your fallopian tubes and uterus after menstruation. It helps detect blockages in the fallopian tubes and abnormalities in the uterus. 

Transvaginal ultrasound – a doctor inserts an ultrasound “wand” into the vagina to capture images of the ovaries and uterus using sound waves.

Hysteroscopy – a thin, flexible tube equipped with a camera on its end is put through the cervix and uterus to check for defects. The tool can also be used to take tissue samples if necessary. 

Laparoscopy – a surgery wherein tools are inserted in the belly through small cuts to check the pelvis area and detect problems like endometriosis. 

Other Infertility Tests

You don't have to undergo surgery if you're having problems conceiving. Sometimes, all you need is a home fertility test to determine the cause of the problem. Check out some of these infertility tests below:

Female Fertility (Sex Hormones) Home Test Kit

Vitall's hormonal control test accurately checks female sex hormones and assesses your infertility risk. It's a simple home test kit using blood samples you can collect from home or through a home nurse visit or clinic visit. 

Taking a female fertility test is a must if you're 35 and still unable to conceive after a year of unprotected sex. Don't wait before it's too late and get yourself tested early on. Hormone testing is useful in evaluating and measuring different fertility markers.

This fertility test must be taken on the third day of your period, provided you have a regular menstrual cycle. Vitall’s female fertility home test kit also tests levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), oestrogen (Estradiol) (E2), and prolactin (PRL).

Clomiphene Citrate Testing

You can also take the clomiphene citrate testing with your FSH test. You can do this by taking a clomiphene citrate pill on the fifth through ninth days of menstruation. Check your FSH on the third day before taking the pill and after on the 10th day. High FSH levels mean you have a lower chance of conceiving. 

Anti-müllerian Hormone (AMH) Testing

The anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) blood test can check your AMH levels and determine how well your ovaries work. It's also referred to as their ovarian reserve. Having low levels means you have a low ovarian reserve.

If you are unsure, the best thing to do is to consult your doctor about which female fertility test is right for you.

Many couples experience pain and disappointment after trying to conceive and failing. You and your partner can avoid this by taking a fertility test, consulting your doctor on the best treatments, and making lifestyle changes. 

Summary Of Key Factors Affecting Fertility