A couple is said to be infertile if they have been unable to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse.
Infertility is caused by disease of the reproductive system, which interferes with conception. About 10 to 15% of all married couples seem to be infertile. The inability to conceive children can be devastating for a couple, but with new treatment options, many infertile couples are able to have children and complete their family.
| Hormone | Cause | abnormal values of prolactin, TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), FSH (follicular stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone) |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis | blood sampling on 3rd menstrual day | |
| Treatment | blood sampling on 3rd menstrual day | |
| Ovary | Cause | ovulatory problem due to polycystic ovaries, ovarian failure, excessive weight loss or obesity, stress, etc. |
| Diagnosis | sequential ultrasonic examination | |
| Treatment | oral medication (Clomiphene) or hormonal injection | |
| Fallopian tube | Cause | tubal obstuction due to scarring from pelvic inflammatory disease, or surgery |
| Diagnosis | hysterosalpingography, diagnostic laparoscopy | |
| Treatment | IVF-ET, tuboplastic surgery | |
| Uterus | Cause | uterine anomalies, myoma, intrauterine synechia |
| Diagnosis | ultrasound, hysterosalpingography, diagnostic laparoscopy | |
| Treatment | surgery (hysteroscopic, laparoscopic, laparotomic) | |
| Uterine cervix | Cause | surgery (hysteroscopic, laparoscopic, laparotomic) |
| Diagnosis | CMT (cervical mucus test), PCT (post-coital test) | |
| Treatment | IUI (intrauterine insemination) | |
| Peritoneum | Cause | endometriosis, pelvic adhesion due to pelvic inflammatory disease |
| Diagnosis | diagnostic laparoscopy | |
| Treatment | IUI, IVF-ET, surgery | |
| Unknown | Cause | no proven abnormality |
| Diagnosis | exclusion criteria | |
| Treatment | IUI, IVF-ET | |
| Male factor | Cause | low quantity or poor quality sperm |
| Diagnosis | semen analysis | |
| Treatment | IUI, IVF-ET |
