What is the prevalence of fertility problems?
Are they primarily attributable to women?
15% of couples who are trying to have children have problems with pregnancy.
The male factor is present in reproductive failure in 50% of infertile couples.
Attributable exclusively to a male factor by 30% and a combination of factors, both male and female, by 20%.
Are they primarily attributable to women?
15% of couples who are trying to have children have problems with pregnancy.
The male factor is present in reproductive failure in 50% of infertile couples.
Attributable exclusively to a male factor by 30% and a combination of factors, both male and female, by 20%.
What factors are involved in fertility problems?
It is important to note the following in the Medical History:
* Infertility time in the couple:
- Whether or not there were pregnancies with previous partners or current partners
- Age at the time of the pregnancy.
- Difficulty achieving pregnancy.
* Sexual History:
- Frequency of sexual relations.
- Use of lubricants
* Infections:
- History of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), if you have had illness, what type of treatment you received.
- High fevers may temporarily compromise spermatogenesis.
- Bilateral mumps orchitis (mumps) after puberty is associated with testicular damage in 10% of patients.
* Diseases of childhood and puberty:
- Undescended testicles. (Cryptorchidism)
- Development of Secondary Male Sexual Characteristics (muscle mass, voice, distribution of pubic hair, etc.) in a delayed or incomplete way may reflect an endocrine (Hormonal) etiology.
- The development of breasts in the male suggests an underlying endocrine compromise.
* Pathological history:
- Diabetes Mellitus: may indirectly affect fertility.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Irradiation or chemotherapy: People who have gone through this type of treatment are at greater risk of suffering damage in their spermatogenesis. (Patients with testicular cancer are particularly affected)
* Surgical history:
- Hernia: a history of unilateral or bilateral hernia surgery (herniorrhaphy), it is possible to have a vascular or iatrogenic ductal lesion.
- Pelvic Surgery
* Toxicological History:
- Environmental: exposure to toxic substances without adequate protection such as lead, anilines, dyes, insecticides, pesticides, gases, etc. Affecting testicular function.
- Habits: tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, use etc.
Complementary studies:
- Spermograms / sperm cultures
- Transrectal ultrasound of the ejaculatory ducts
- Ecodoppler of ejaculatory ducts
- Hormonal evaluation.
How long should I wait before making an appointment?
One of the main unknowns of couples is how long to wait for a consultation with the fertility specialist. The answer lies in the fact that a couple, without reproductive problems, has a chance of about 25% getting one pregnancy per month. Usually the study of the couple begins when they have been at least between 10 months and 1 year without achieving pregnancy. It should be noted that not all cases are the same and that not all couples need to wait this length of time: such is the case of those patients who already have a disorder known at a reproductive level.
Usually, the diagnosis of the problem can take 2 or 3 months, and after this time the specialist must determine the appropriate therapies base on the diagnosis to achieve pregnancy.
It is important to note the following in the Medical History:
* Infertility time in the couple:
- Whether or not there were pregnancies with previous partners or current partners
- Age at the time of the pregnancy.
- Difficulty achieving pregnancy.
* Sexual History:
- Frequency of sexual relations.
- Use of lubricants
* Infections:
- History of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), if you have had illness, what type of treatment you received.
- High fevers may temporarily compromise spermatogenesis.
- Bilateral mumps orchitis (mumps) after puberty is associated with testicular damage in 10% of patients.
* Diseases of childhood and puberty:
- Undescended testicles. (Cryptorchidism)
- Development of Secondary Male Sexual Characteristics (muscle mass, voice, distribution of pubic hair, etc.) in a delayed or incomplete way may reflect an endocrine (Hormonal) etiology.
- The development of breasts in the male suggests an underlying endocrine compromise.
* Pathological history:
- Diabetes Mellitus: may indirectly affect fertility.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Irradiation or chemotherapy: People who have gone through this type of treatment are at greater risk of suffering damage in their spermatogenesis. (Patients with testicular cancer are particularly affected)
* Surgical history:
- Hernia: a history of unilateral or bilateral hernia surgery (herniorrhaphy), it is possible to have a vascular or iatrogenic ductal lesion.
- Pelvic Surgery
* Toxicological History:
- Environmental: exposure to toxic substances without adequate protection such as lead, anilines, dyes, insecticides, pesticides, gases, etc. Affecting testicular function.
- Habits: tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, use etc.
Complementary studies:
- Spermograms / sperm cultures
- Transrectal ultrasound of the ejaculatory ducts
- Ecodoppler of ejaculatory ducts
- Hormonal evaluation.
How long should I wait before making an appointment?
One of the main unknowns of couples is how long to wait for a consultation with the fertility specialist. The answer lies in the fact that a couple, without reproductive problems, has a chance of about 25% getting one pregnancy per month. Usually the study of the couple begins when they have been at least between 10 months and 1 year without achieving pregnancy. It should be noted that not all cases are the same and that not all couples need to wait this length of time: such is the case of those patients who already have a disorder known at a reproductive level.
Usually, the diagnosis of the problem can take 2 or 3 months, and after this time the specialist must determine the appropriate therapies base on the diagnosis to achieve pregnancy.