Fertility Flashcards
How common is subfertility?
• Subfertility is very common – with 1 in 6 couples seeking specialist help.
How likely is it a couple will conceive within 1 year? 2 years?
• People concerned should be informed that 80% of couples in general population will conceive within one year if:
o Woman <40, do not use contraception, regular sexual intercourse (every 2-3 days)
o About half will conceive in 2nd year
Causes of subfertility?
- Ovulation disorder (21%)
- Tubal factor (15-20%)
- Male factor (25%)
- Unexplained (28%)
- Endometriosis (6-8%)
- Sexual dysfunction (4-5%)
Causes of primary ovulation disorder infertility?
Premature ovarian syndrome
Genetic (Turner’s syndrome – 45X0; hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism)
Autoimmune
Iatrogenic (surgery, chemo)
Causes of secondary ovulation disorder infertility?
PCOS
Excessive weight loss or exercise
Hypopituitarism (tumour, trauma, surgery)
Kallman’s syndrome (anosmia; hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism)
Hyperprolactinaemia
Causes of tubal factor infertility?
o PID, pelvic infection, miscarriage o STIs o Female sterilisation o Bicornuate uterus o Fibroids o Hostile cervical mucous
Important points in female infertility history to consider in: General health Infertility history Menstrual history Sexual history PMH Drugs
General Health o Smoking (stop), alcohol (reduce), recreational drug (avoid), BMI (aim for normal)
Infertility History
o Age, duration of subfertility, coital frequency & problems, any previous pregnancies in either partner, Hx of ectopic/tubal/pelvic surgery
Menstrual History
o Menstrual cycle regularity and LMP (? pregnant), pelvic pain (dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia)
Sexual History
o Cervical smear history, previous/current STI/PID
PMH
o Any relevant medical or surgical history, CKD, DM, anorexia
Drug history (any prescription drugs that may be contraindicated in pregnancy and recreational drug use)
Folic acid
Examination performed in infertility female?
General: BMI Signs of endocrine disorder: • Hyperandrogenism (acne, hairgrowth, alopecia), acanthosis nigricans, thyroid disease Visual field defects (?prolactinoma)
Pelvic:
Exclude obvious pelvic pathology (adenexal masses, uterine fibroid, endometriosis [painful fixed uterus], vaginismus)
Cervical smear
Chlamydia screening
When to offer investigations in subfertile woman?
• Offer investigation after 1 year of trying (earlier if female and >35, amenorrhoea, oligomenorrhoea, past PID, past cancer Rx)
Primary care investigations of subfertility?
o Chlamydia & Rubella screening
o Mid-luteal progesterone level (on day 21 of 28-day cycle, to confirm ovulation >30 nmol/L)
o Baseline (day 2 – 5) hormone profile including FSH (high in POF, low in hypopituitarism), LH
o TFT
o Prolactin
Secondary care referred indicated when?
o Refer when woman >36, known cause of infertility, Hx of risk factors, investigations show apparent no chance of pregnancy with expectant management
o Specialist clinic.
Investigations performed when assessing uterine/ovarian structure in female subfertility?
Pelvic USS
• Every woman – looks at uterus (shape, septum, endometrium, fibroids and polyps), ovaries (shape, present, PCOS)
Hysteroscopy
• If abnormal USS, gold standard for uterine anomalies
• Can look for fibroids, polyps, adhesions, septae
Investigations used when assessing tubal patency in female subfertility? How and when?
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
• Uses X-ray and contrast injected through cannula in cervix to demonstrate uterine anatomy and tubal patency
• Women with no known comorbidities (PID, ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis)
• Only perform if chlamydia swabs negative and give azithromycin 1g PO stat
Laparoscopy and dye test
• Day case procedure which can be combine with a hysteroscopy to assess the uterine cavity is necessary.
• Gold standard for tubal patency and used 1st when pelvic comorbidities (can be diagnosed and treated) and 2nd line if HSG abnormal
• Requires GA
What is ovarian reserve testing? When used?
• Ovarian Reserve Testing (Pre-IVF)
o Measured around Day 3 of menstrual cycle – predict likely response to gonadotrophin stimulation in IVF
o Anti-Mullerian hormone ≤5.4pmol/L low and ≥25pmol/L for high
o Total antral follicle ≤4 for low response and >16 for high response
o FSH >8.9 for low and <4 for high
Lifestyle modification in female subfertility?
Healthy diet, stop smoking/recreational drug, reduce alcohol consumption, regular exercise
Folic acid 0.4mg/d
- 5mg/d - previous child with neural tube defect, personal or family history of neural tube defect, DM1/2, coeliac disease, BMI >30, thalassaemia
Avoid timed intercourse (recommend every 2-3 days)
Avoid ovulation induction kits/basal temperature measurements (no evidence of success and stressful)
Vitamin D 10mcg/d
Psychological management of female subfertility?
- Subfertility and its management can be very distressing.
- Some treatments have side effects and are not guaranteed to be successful.
- The stress of this and disappointment of failed treatment needs to be addressed.
- Couples should be offered counselling before and after treatment, along with information regarding patient support groups
Ovulation induction techniques used in female subfertility?
Weight loss/gain as appropriate.
Anti-oestrogens (e.g. Clomifene 50mg days 2-6)
Gonadotrophins or pulsatile GnRH
Laparoscopic ovarian diathermy
Insulin sensitizers (Metformin)
Surgery
Assisted reproduction (IUI/IVF/oocyte donation)
When are ovulation induction agents used mostly?
PCOS
If ovulation at any time - await natural conception (IVF if no pregnancy in 6-9 cycles)
If no ovulation: Lose weight Clomifene GnRHs Laparoscopic ovarian diathermy Metformin used alongside
If no pregnancy in 6-9 cycles then offer IVF
Surgical management of female subfertility?
Preferably laparoscopic
Treat endometriosis (laser/diathermy/excision)
Tubal surgery (microsurgery/adhesiolysis)
How common is male subfertilty?
• Accounts for 20-25% of cases of subfertile couples.
How likely are a couple to conceive with 1 year? 2 year?
• People concerned should be informed that 80% of couples in general population will conceive within one year if:
o Woman <40, do not use contraception, regular sexual intercourse (every 2-3 days)
o About half will conceive in 2nd year
What is male fertility dependent on?
• Normal male fertility is dependent on normal spermatogenesis, erectile function and ejaculation.
Where does spermatogenesis take place? How? When?
• Spermatogenesis takes place in seminiferous tubules
o Undifferentiated diploid germ cells (spermatogonia) multiply and transformed into haploid spermatozoa
o Takes 74 days
o LH stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone
o Testosterone and FSH stimulate Sertoli cells to produce substances for metabolic support of germ cells and spermatogenesis
Causes of male infertility?
- General Health
- Semen abnormality (85%)
- Azoospermia (5%)
- Immunological (5%)
- Coital dysfunction (5%)
General causes of male infertility?
o Obesity impairs fertility
o Smoking
o Tight-fitting underwear affect semen quality
o Alcohol consumption
o Anabolic steroids, marijuana, opioids, cocaine
Semen abnormality causes of male infertility?
- Idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OATS)
- Testis cancer
- Drugs (inc. alcohol, nicotine)
- Genetic
- Varicocele
Azoospermia causes of male infertility?
Idiopathhic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH) Kalmann's, Klinefelter's Pituitary adenoma Anabolic steroid abuse Cryptorchism Orchitis Chemo-radiotherapy Congential bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) Vasectomy STIs
Immunological causes of male infertility?
Antisperm antibodies
Idiopathic
Infection