What is infertility?
Infertility is defined as the absence of a pregnancy after at least 1 year of unprotected sexual contacts that take place during the fertile period. Infertility can be caused by a variety of factors, which can affect both women and men.
The idea that infertility manifests itself predominantly among women is a simple myth, and men are equally affected by infertility. In essence, it is not so relevant, medically speaking, which of the patients is infertile (in approximately 40% of cases, both partners suffer from infertility), it is important to identify the exact causes, as well as effective treatment solutions.
Infertility in women: causes
In order to better understand this condition and how it appears, we need to detail the causes that facilitate the occurrence of infertility. In women, infertility can be a direct consequence of an untreated or untimely medical condition that has generated complications. In some cases, it is about:
- Problems related to ovulation
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- ENDOMETRIOSIS
- Diseases such as uterine fibroids or uterine polyps.
Infertility in men: causes
Often male patients are also affected by infertility. In their case, infertility has as a substrate sperm abnormalities, such as the low number of spermatozoa, their reduced mobility or abnormal shapes.
In other situations, infertility is caused by an obstruction of the reproductive tract or by a disease that affects the reproductive system. For example, varicocele can be a cause of infertility in men, a condition that can be treated by surgery.
Many of the causes of infertility in women and men are treatable!
It is important to know for patients, whether they are women or men, that many of the causes that lead to infertility are treatable.
Minimally invasive surgery through a laparoscopic or hysteroscopic approach is perfectly suited to these situations: hysteroscopy and laparoscopy.
When is hysteroscopy recommended?
Hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive medical procedure that allows doctors to visualize the inside of the uterus to diagnose and, in some cases, treat uterine conditions.
Operative or therapeutic hysteroscopy is performed for the correction of various conditions highlighted by diagnostic hysteroscopy, most of the time the two are performed within the same intervention.
Hysteroscopy indications are represented by:
- Evaluation of uterine bleeding
- Evaluation of infertility
- Evaluation after ultrasound examination when it is abnormal
- Locating and extracting foreign bodies
- Postoperative evaluation after myomectomy, after caesarean section, after hysteroscopic endometrial ablation, etc
- Classification and extirpation of submucosal fibroids
- Evaluation of the endometrium after embolization of uterine fibroids
- Evaluation of pathology associated with pregnancy
- Endometrial cancer: staging, assessment of cervical extension, second look after non-surgical treatment
Hysteroscopy is recommended as a treatment solution in case of problems that affect fertility, such as uterine polyps, intrauterine fibroids, uterine rupture and uterine synechiae.
Septate uterus is a less known uterine malformation, in which a band of muscle or tissue divides the uterus into two sections. That strip is called sept. There is a partially septate uterus, in which the septum extends only partially into the uterus, and a completely septate uterus, in which the septum extends to the level of the cervix.
This condition is detected, in general, after the patient has had repeated pregnancy losses. Sometimes, this condition can also be announced by painful periods or discomfort in the pelvis area.
Hysteroscopy can solve all these problems mentioned above that can be responsible for infertility, the intervention requires short-term general anesthesia, the recovery is extremely fast and in most cases the discharge is done on the same day.
In what situations is laparoscopic intervention recommended?
Laparoscopic surgical interventions can be recommended in the case of diseases that can be the cause of infertility such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, as well as in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease.
Laparoscopy is the optimal therapeutic solution for all the situations mentioned above, especially when the aim is to get pregnant in the shortest time, because the risk of adhesions after laparoscopic intervention is lower compared to classical surgery, recovery is fast, postoperative pain much less lower, shorter hospitalization, much lower infectious risk.
Infertility treatment requires patience, adequate communication with the patient, skills in minimally invasive surgery and experience in the practice of assisted human reproduction techniques, when the last solution is to resort to them (intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization).
What treatment solutions for infertility exist in the case of men?
The treatment of male infertility depends a lot on the underlying cause. Sometimes infertility can be treated by directly addressing the underlying problem, such as an infection, hormonal imbalance, or obstruction in the reproductive tract.
Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, exercising and eating a balanced diet can have a positive impact on male fertility.
The treatment can be medicinal, surgical to repair the obstructions of the reproductive tract or it can be represented by assisted human reproduction techniques. Always, the attending physician is the one who makes the treatment recommendations, depending on the triggering causes of infertility.
Infertility can also cause emotional stress
In addition to medical and physical difficulties, infertility often brings significant emotional stress to couples. Many couples may feel frustrated, isolated or even guilty because of their inability to have children and may need psychological support or counseling to deal with these feelings.
Precisely for this reason, the investigations that must be done to discover the cause of infertility are addressed to both partners and ideally at the same time, in order to limit the time factor in getting pregnant. Often the time factor adds additional stress to the couple facing this problem and must be handled professionally.
Confidence must be conveyed to the couple that the recommended steps to obtain a diagnosis and correct behavior are those explained by the doctor and patience and perseverance are required to be followed.
In conclusion, infertility is a complex medical problem that involves both physical and emotional factors, requiring a comprehensive approach in evaluation and treatment.
