What is Infertility
Infertility is defined as the inability to become pregnant after more than 1 year of unsuccessful attempts. Unwanted infertility affects 10 to 20% of couples.
At present, the causes of infertility may be categorised as follows: 40% are female-related, 20% are attributable to both partners, and 40% are male-related.
With the growing occurrence of civilisation diseases, the incidence of male infertility is increasing.
Ovarian Factor ...
The most frequent cause of female infertility is anovulation – when the ovary does not produce and release a sufficiently mature egg. In most cases, though, anovulation is well treatable by administering hormonal medication without any additional medical intervention. If own eggs cannot be retrieved or they are of poor quality, eggs from an anonymous donor may be used for the treatment.
Genetic Indications for IVF Treatment ...
In this case, extracorporeal fertilisation is recommended not because of the inability to conceive but in order to reduce the risk of pregnancy failure (i.e. the conception of a child with a chromosomal disorder).
Tubal Factor ...
Obstruction or absence of the fallopian tubes are one of the most frequent causes of infertility in women leading to IVF treatment. The egg cannot get from the ovary to the uterus and sperms cannot reach the egg. Even in the case of partial fallopian tube blockage, there is a risk that the fertilised egg and the subsequently developing embryo is obstructed in the oviduct on its way to the uterus, which results in ectopic pregnancy. The tubal factor was the first cause of infertility that led physicians to use the method of in vitro fertilisation – IVF. The success rate of IVF in the treatment of the tubal factor is very high.
Endometriosis ...
Endometriosis is a disease characterised by the growth of the endometrium (i.e. the tissue lining the cavity of the uterus) at an abnormal location outside the uterus, e.g. on the ovaries, the peritoneum (i.e. the membrane lining the abdominal cavity), etc. Infertility caused by endometriosis is well treatable by in vitro fertilisation.
Andrological Factor ...
Low sperm count, low sperm motility, abnormal sperm shape, a combination of these sperm disorders or the complete lack of sperm are the most common causes of male infertility. Spermiogram parameters (semen analysis results) are declining with worsening environmental conditions. Average sperm concentrations in the ejaculate have decreased by half over the last century (i.e. secular trend). The andrological factor is becoming a more and more frequent cause of infertility in men. Today, however, we may offer effective treatment methods which allow us to fertilise an egg even with a small amount of sperms by injecting them directly inside the egg.
Immunological Factor ...
Immune-related infertility may affect both women and men. Its probability increases with recurring miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, and repeated egg retrievals. It is treated by fertilising the eggs using a micromanipulation technique known as ICSI (i.e. intracytoplasmic sperm injection) in combination with medication suppressing antibody production. Very good results have been achieved with the aid of this technique.
Unexplained Infertility ...
When it is not possible to ascertain the cause of infertility by way of standard examination and test methods, such infertility is denoted as idiopathic, i.e. unexplained. In most cases, good results may be achieved with the help of assisted reproduction methods.
