In 30% of cases this is due to masculine causes: alterations in the testicular area, obstruction of tubes, prostate pathologies, alterations in ejaculation or erectile function or alterations in the semen. In another 30% of cases it is due to feminine causes such as early menopause, endometriosis, obstructions or lesions in the Fallopian tubes, uterine or cervical anomalies or ovulation problems. In the remaining 20% of cases there is a mixture or a combination of causes in which both parties are responsible. We always prefer to speak about the causes or reasons of the couple as a whole because, whatever the problem, the cooperation of both parties is fundamental. Twenty percent is due to unexplained causes. This does not mean there is no reason that explains the sterility, but that it has not been possible to identify the cause.
Causes of Female Sterility
Eighty percent of female sterility instances are due mainly to these causes:
- Advanced age: as has been said, we know that as of 35 years of age the reproductive potential drops and that after 40 years of age the possibility of pregnancy per month is less than 10%.
- Tuboperitoneal Factor: When the Fallopian Tubes have any kind of lesion.
- Anovulation: When the ovum is not released by the ovary, whether because it was not fully formed or because it is not mature enough. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome patients are included in this group.
- Endometriosis: When the uterine tissue is outside the uterus.
Other risk factors: Myomas. Sexually transmitted diseases. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, thyroid disease, asthma or depression. Intake of medication such as antidepressants or steroids. Obesity with a Body Mass Index > 30 or underweight by over 25%.
Causes of Male Infertility
The man is fundamentally responsible for infertility, or shares the causes with the woman, in approximately 50% of cases. To study male fertility, an analysis is carried out, testing the number, activity and shape of the spermatozoa. A normal result would be a sperm count higher than 20 million/millilitre, with at least 50% of the spermatozoa having correct motility and 30% of a normal shape.
Basically, the male reproductive function requires normal sexual functioning (erection and ejaculation) and normal sperm functioning (spermatozoa). The main disorders are: