Infertility Flashcards
Why is infertility increasing?
older women rise in increase in chlamydia infections increase in obesity increasing male factor infertility increasing awareness of treatments
What is the definition of infertility?
- failure to get pregnant
- after 12 months or more
- regular unprotected sexual intercourse
- couple have never had a child
Describe the difference between Primary and Secondary Infertility
Primary = couple have never conceived
Secondary = couple have previously conceived, BUT pregnancy may not have been successful
=> e.g. miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
What factors can increase the likelihood of getting pregnant?
- Woman aged < 30
- Previous pregnancy
- < 3 years trying to conceive
- Intercourse around time of ovulation
- BMI 18.5 – 30
- Both partners non-smokers
- Caffeine intake < 2 cups of coffee daily
- No use of recreational drugs
At what maternal age does the steep decline of fertility start?
Around the age of 35
Males account for 1/3 of infertility, whilst females account for the other 2/3 of infertility. TRUE/FALSE?
FALSE
1/3 male
1/3 female
1/3 combined
In what physiological situations would cause anovulatory infertility (no egg release)
- before puberty
- pregnancy
- lactation (breastfeeding)
- menopause
What gynaecological conditions can cause anovulatory infertility?
Hypothalmic Disorders:
=> anorexia/bulimia, excessive exercise
Pituitary Disorders:
=> hyperprolactinaemia, tumours, Sheehan syndrome
Ovarian Disorders:
=> PCOS, premature ovarian failure
What systematic disorder is known to cause anovulatory infertility?
chronic renal failure
What drugs can cause anovulation and therefore infertility?
Depo-provera (injection)
Nexplanon (implant)
Oral Contraceptive Pill
Can anorexia cause anovulation?
Yes
Causes low FSH, LH and Oestradiol
What are the clinical features of anorexia?
low BMI (below 18.5)
loss of hair
low pulse and BP
anaemia
How does Polycystic Ovary syndrome usually present?
- obesity
- hirsutism or acne
- cycle abnormalities and infertility
What endocrine abnormalities are present in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?
high free androgens
high LH
impaired glucose tolerance
What is the diagnostic criteria for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?
2 out of 3 of:
- chronic anovulation
- polycystic ovaries
- hyperandrogenism
What are the possible causes of premature ovarian failure?
- idiopathic
- genetic (Turner’s syndrome, fragile X)
- chemotherapy/radiotherapy
- oophorectomy (ovary removal)
How does premature ovarian failure present clinically?
hot flushes
night sweats
atrophic vaginitis
Describe the hormonal effects of premature ovarian failure?
high FSH
high LH
low oestradiol
What are the possible infective causes of tubal disease?
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
=> chlamydia, gonorrhoea = most common
-Transperitoneal spread:
=> appendicitis, intra-abdominal abscess
- Following a procedure:
=> IUCD insertion, hysteroscopy, HSG
What are the most common causes of tubal disease that are not from an infection?
- endometriosis
- surgical (sterilisation, ectopic pregnancies)
- fibroids/polyps
- congenital
What is a Hydrosalpinx?
Distended fallopian tube
What condition is characterised by the presence of endometrial glands outside uterine cavity?
Endometriosis
What symptoms are experienced in endometriosis?
- dysmenorrhoea (cramps)
- dysparenuia (pain during sex)
- menorrhagia (heavy bleeding)
- painful defaecation
- chronic pelvic pain
What coital disorders can contribute to male factor infertility?
Erectile dysfunction
Ejaculatory Failure
What genetic conditions can cause male factor infertility?
Kleinfelter Syndrome (XXY) Y chromosome deletion Immotile Cilia (e.g. CF)
Testicular torsions and varicoceles can cause what subtype of male factor infertility?
Vascular
What drugs can cause a decrease in male sperm count?
- Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, Cocaine
- Testosterone Supplements
- Specific chemo drugs
- Long term use of certain antibiotics
What drugs can cause hormone imbalance?
Marijuana Testosterone supplements Anabolic Steroids Opiates Spironolactone Drugs for schizophrenia/ tri-cyclic antidepressants
What drugs can cause decreased sex drive?
Excessive alcohol SSRIs Opiates Spironolactone Beta Blockers Lithium
What drugs can cause erectile dysfunction?
Excessive alcohol, Tobacco, Cocaine Spironolactone and other diuretics Beta-blockers Alpha-Blockers Schizophrenia/ Tri-cyclic antidepressants Lithium
Decrease ability of sperm to fertilise egg?
- Ca channel blockers
- Tetracyclic antibiotics
- Drugs for gout
Describe the hormone profile in non-obstructive male infertility
High LH and FSH
low testosterone
What examinations are carried out on a female attending an infertility clinic?
- BMI
- Assessing body hair distribution
- Galactorrhoea
- Pelvic examination => assessing for uterine and ovarian abnormalities/tenderness/mobility
What examinations are carried out on a male attending the infertility clinic?
- BMI
- Genital examination
=> Assessing size/position testes
=> Penile abnormalities
=> presence vas deferens
=> presence varicoceles
What investigations should females experience at an infertility clinic?
- endocervical swab for chlamydia
- cervical smear if due
- blood for rubella immunity
- midluteal progesterone level progesterone
- Test of tubal patency
What investigation is used to test tubal patency?
Hysterosalpingiogram