5 - Infertility Flashcards
what is infertility?
failure to achieve clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual inercourse (in absence of known reason) in a couple who’ve never had a child
what is primary and secondary infertility?
primary = never conceived
secondary = previously conceived (could’ve been unsuccessful = miscarriage or ectopic)
what is anovulatory infertility? when?
= infertility due to lack of ovulation, often temporary
when…
1. naturally like before puberty, pregnant, menopause
2. gynaecological like anorexia, excessive exercise, stress, kallmann’s
3. pituitary problems like tumours
4. ovarian problems like PCOS
5. certain drugs or renal failure
what are some causes of secondary infertility?
- tubal disease (fallopian tube problems)
- fibroids (benign growths on uterus)
- endometriosis/adenomyosis (abnormal growth tissue of uterine lining)
- weight related (over or under)
- age related
what is obstructive male infertility?
= sperm made but can’t be ejaculated. have normal hormone levels
caused by congenital, infection or vasectomy
what is non-obstructive male infertility?
= sperm production low or absent (problems with testes ir hormones)
caused by 47 XXY (klinefelter), radiotherapy, undescended testes, idiopathic
what investigations done for female infertility?
- cervical smear
- rubella immunity
- midluteal progesterone
- hormone levels
what investigations done for male infertility?
- semen analysis
- genital exam & scrotal US
- testosterone levels
what lifestyle advice for infertility?
- stop smoking
- achieve healthy BMI
- reduce/stop alcohol
- reduce caffeine
- stop recreational drugs
*also just reassurance (95% conceive within 36 months)
what important vitamin supplements for women infertility?
- folic acid (5mg)
- vitamin D (10mg)
