FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT INFERTILITY AND FERTILITY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CAN ANXIETY AND STRESS AFFECT FERTILITY?

Yes, we know that the hormones responsible for ovulatory maturation and ovulation are heavily influenced by the limbic system (responsible for the emotions) and by the cerebral cortex. When a couple becomes suspicious of infertility, he begins to live a daily life permeated by anxiety and anxiety from the moment of distrust to the process of investigation and treatment. This can interfere with the routine of the couple and the production of eggs and sperm.

The process of investigation is delicate and requires patience and control of the couple, but in many cases after all the hard work the cause cannot be defined, this is called infertility without an apparent cause.

CAN THE PILL OR IUD CAUSE INFERTILITY?

Women fear they have difficulty getting pregnant after using the birth control pill for many years. This fear has no foundation. It happens that the pill may cover up hormonal problems that go undetected with its use, such as polycystic ovaries or prolactin increase. By making the regular cycles, the pill gives the impression that everything is going well, which is not always true. So when the woman stops taking the pill and cannot get pregnant, she immediately thinks (wrongly) that the contraceptive is to blame.

As for the IUD, it is known that its users are slightly more likely to develop pelvic inflammatory disease (inflammation of the fallopian tubes or ovaries). Infections in the vagina and cervix can also develop more easily due to the presence of wires in the device. At a more severe stage, the tubal obstruction may occur, leading to infertility.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM FERTILE?

Many couples ask themselves, even before they marry or effectively resolve to have children, whether they are fertile or not. You can not answer this question with a single exam. Generally, several of them are needed, both male and female, to determine fertility. Some tests, such as hormonal dosages in women and sperm in men, can be easily performed.

Others, such as the postcoital test, simply having a relationship during the fertile period without any contraceptive protection. And this can be dangerous for couples who do not want to take the risk of getting pregnant. Ideally, the couple should start the investigation only when they really want to have children. To be comfortable, general examinations such as ultrasound, Pap smear, some hormonal dosages and some blood tests, besides the program, are enough.

IS INFERTILITY A GENETIC PROBLEM?

The importance of genetics in the study and treatment of the most diverse diseases has grown enormously. In the case of conjugal infertility, genetic changes on the Y chromosome (male chromosome) have been identified in infertile men, but much research and much research still needs to be done.

ARE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION OR IN VITRO REPRODUCTION THE SAME THING?

In artificial insemination, the sperm is prepared in the laboratory after being harvested by masturbation and is injected into the woman's uterus by means of a plastic tube at the time of ovulation. From the uterus, the sperm "swim" spontaneously into the tube where one of them will fertilize the egg.

In the case of in vitro fertilization, the sperm is prepared in the laboratory and the egg is withdrawn from the woman's ovary by a needle with an ultrasound-guided needle. The eggs are identified and placed in the laboratory in contact with the sperm, which will penetrate the membrane of the eggs and fertilize them. Left in culture the fertilized ovules will undergo divisions in their cells and will be called embryos. After about three or five days, the embryos are placed in the womb of the woman. If they adhere to the endometrium (the inner layer of the uterus), one begins the pregnancy.

CAN MALE SEXUAL PERFORMANCE PROMOTE OR IMPAIR FERTILITY?

Many believe that sexual potency is related to fertility. This is not true. Of course, men with serious erectile problems, which prevent them from consuming intercourse, will not be able to deposit the sperm inside the vagina. In this case, it is understandable that there is no possibility of conception. Men with premature ejaculation (who ejaculate quickly after penetration) do not necessarily have fertility problems after all the sperm is placed inside the vagina. Nor can it be said that men who maintain intense and frequent sexual activity will never have fertility problems.
It is important to remember that the number of times a man ejaculates during a relationship does not mean a greater likelihood of fertilization. With just one ejaculation it is already possible to obtain a sufficient amount of spermatozoa for fertilization. The volume and quantity of spermatozoa present in the sperm are not determined by the number of ejaculations.

IS IT MY PROBLEM OR YOURS?

Infertility is a problem for the couple who can not have children together. Therefore, it should not be considered as the sole responsibility of one of the spouses; The problem is with the couple. Rarely is the cause only male or only female, most often it is a combination of several factors.

It is important then that the couple go seek medical help together. Both gynecologists and urologists who specialize in Human Reproduction are able to accompany the couple. In general, the good clinics that deal with infertility problems rely on the presence of both specialists.

DO GENITAL ORGANS INTERFERE WITH MALE FERTILITY?

The size of the penis does not in any way interfere with male fertility; the same can not be said of the size of the testicles. The tests are responsible for the production of male sperm and hormones. When very small, they may be atrophied testicles and thus produce no normal amounts of spermatozoa. Since there is a large variation in the size of the testicles among men, only a specialist, after a careful genital examination, can say with certainty whether the testicles are of a normal size or not.

WHAT ARE THE MOST FREQUENT CAUSES OF INFERTILITY?

There are many causes, but the most frequent are changes in the program and menstrual dysfunctions. For more details click on the section of causes of infertility of this same site.

IS HAVING A UTERUS A SIGN OF INFERTILITY?

Just as most people are right-handed and the minority is left-handed, 80% of women have anteverted uterus (forward) and only 20%, the uterus turned (retroverted), which is perfectly normal. A uterus is only related to infertility when it is fixed in this position as a consequence of pelvic infection or endometriosis. When this happens, in addition to causing pain the fixed retroversion hinders the processes of fertilization.

TAKING A VACATION OR ADOPTING A CHILD CAN LEAD TO SPONTANEOUS PREGNANCY?

There are no couples who do not live an everyday life permeated by distress and anxiety during the process of infertility treatment and research. Any feature that brings more peace and security to the couple will be of utmost importance during treatment. It sometimes happens that the cause of infertility is not reached. In this case, known as infertility without an apparent cause, or when the couple's routine is totally compromised and overwhelmed with stress and tension, the vacation option, therapy, and other relaxation features are very providential. They will be able to re-establish the balance of the marital relationship, which is the fundamental condition for successful treatment