Infertility: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Its Homeopathic Treatment

Introduction

To reproduce had been one of the main desired attributes of mankind for a long. It also defines their social status. Most couples start dreaming about their children immediately after marriage or within 2-3 years. 

But some couples fail in starting a family when they wish for it and in developing countries like India, couples have to face many difficulties related to reproduction. Especially, the position of women is defined by their reproductive capacity and their failure to do so due to any reason leads to social and cultural repercussions for them. 

Women express consistently lower scores on mental health, social functioning, and emotional behavior domains in quality of life and experience higher levels of stigma than men. They are called “Banjh” by others and there is no respect for her.

Infertility

Infertility is a disease or a condition when a couple fails to conceive even after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse without the use of any procedure of birth control.

It may be that any one or both the partners cannot contribute to conception, or that a woman is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term.

Prevalence 

About 10% to 14% of the Indian population is suffering from infertility, as per a report, given by ‘Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction’(ISAR). 

This rate of infertility is high among the urban population, with one out of six couples experiencing the problem, according to the report. Worldwide, 8 to 12 percent of couples experience the problem of infertility (WHO, 1991).

Types of Infertility

There are 2 types of infertility

Primary infertility:  This refers to couples who never become pregnant even after 1 or more years of having unprotected sex without using birth control methods.

Secondary infertility: This refers to those couples who previously have been able to get pregnant at least once, but now are unable.

Causes

There are many physical and emotional factors responsible for infertility. It may be due to problems in the man, woman, or both.

Infertility due to the problem in females 

• An-ovulation – It is a condition when the ovaries do not release an ovum during a menstrual cycle. This is one of the biggest reasons for female infertility.

• Blocked Fallopian tubes – Fallopian tubes are a pair of hollow structures which connects the uterus to the ovaries and where fertilization occurs.

       Blockages or scarring of these tubes leads to a lack of fertilization of sperm with the ovum.

• Endometriosis – It is a chronic and painful condition where the lining of uterine tissue is found outside the uterus. It may be found in the Fallopian tubes, cavities of the ovary, bowel, urinary bladder, and inside the peritoneal cavity on the ovaries. The scar tissue made due to this condition may cause infertility.

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) - PCOS is a common hormonal imbalance resulting in a lack of ovulation, irregular periods, and infertility. 
  

      It is characterized by the appearance of many small cysts in the ovary as seen on an ultrasound.

• Fibroids – Fibroids are very common benign (non-cancerous) overgrowth that develops in the muscular wall of the uterus. Sometimes fibroids can be asymptomatic, but most of the time due to their size and location, fibroids can lead to problems for some women like abdominal pain and heavy bleeding. Fibroids also can cause infertility and recurrent miscarriages.

• Premature Ovarian Failure - Women who are 40 years old or younger and whose ovaries no longer function to ovulate eggs are diagnosed with premature ovarian failure (POF). These young women potentially lose their reproductive capabilities.

• Older ladies, who want to conceive – It is difficult for women over 40 to get pregnant, even if they are ovulating and having a period.

Secondary Infertility 

Even having one or more children, many couples faced infertility for various reasons.

Some rare causes of female infertility

• Autoimmune disorders, such as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
• Birth defects that cause defective reproductive tract
• Cancer or tumor of the uterus or ovaries
• Systemic diseases like uncontrolled Diabetes and Thyroid disorders
• Consuming too much alcohol
• Excessive smoking
• Too much Exercise
• Malnutrition or extreme weakness
• Some medicines such as chemotherapy drugs
• Hormone imbalances
• Obesity
• Old age
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

A woman is most fertile in her early 20s. The chances of a woman getting pregnant greatly decrease after the age of 35 and more. The age when fertility starts to decline varies from woman to woman. Infertility problems and miscarriage rates increase significantly after 35 years of age.

Infertility due to the problem in MALE

Some common causes of Male infertility are:

• Impotency / lack of erection
• Low Sperm count
• Blockage in the duct which carries sperm
• Poor or defective quality of sperm
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Excessive Smoking
• Drugs abuse
• Hormonal imbalance
• Systemic diseases like Diabetes
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Prostate problem
• Birth defects
• Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation
• Continuous exposure to high heat for prolonged periods
• Obesity
• Older age
• Injury, or any surgery of the testes or nearby region

Risk Factors Responsible for Infertility

There are some lifestyle and health factors that can increase infertility:

• Older age (being older than 35 (for women)
• Overweight or Underweight
• Excessive exposure to environmental toxins, like lead or pesticides
• Excessive alcohol intake or drug abuse
• Smoking or tobacco chewing
• A history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Injury to the scrotum and testes
• Tight undergarments may lead to the overheating of testicles
• Having an undescended testicle

Diagnosis

Diagnosis mainly depends on medical history, any medication, sexual habits, and physical examinations of both partners. To confirm the diagnosis some laboratory tests and the radiological test may be needed.

Infertility tests for men

• Semen analysis: To know the quantity and quality of sperms.
• Blood test: To know the levels of testosterone and other hormones.
• Ultrasound: To know about any obstruction in the ejaculatory duct or retrograde ejaculation.
• Chlamydia test: To rule out Chlamydia infection.

    Infertility tests for women

• Blood test - To assess the hormonal imbalance in a woman, if any.
• Laparoscopy – This test has to be done to investigate any signs of endometriosis, blockages, scarring and other problems in the uterus and Fallopian tubes.
• Pelvic ultrasound - To rule out any abnormality in the pelvic organs.
• Hysterosalpingography - Fluid is injected into the woman's uterus and X-rays are taken to determine any blockage in the Fallopian tubes. If a blockage is present, surgery may be needed.
• Genetic testing - To see any genetic abnormality which may be interfering with fertility.
• Chlamydia test - To rule out Chlamydia infection.
• Thyroid function test - To rule out any hormonal imbalance.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of infertility. To treat infertility, first, we have to treat the underlying cause. Treatment also depends on the general state of health of the couple. 

The couple may be advised to have sexual intercourse more often around the time of ovulation to increase the chances of fertilization of sperm with egg.

Complications

Infertility treatment can cause some complications. Unsuccessful attempts for a long time can lead to stress and depression in couples.

Ectopic pregnancy

This is when a fertilized egg implants outside the womb, usually in a Fallopian tube. If it stays in there, complications can develop, such as the rupture of the Fallopian tube. This pregnancy has no chance of continuing. It is a surgical condition.

Women receiving fertility treatment have a slightly higher risk of Ectopic Pregnancy. An ultrasound scan can detect an Ectopic Pregnancy.

Homeopathic Management for Infertility

Infertility is a major physical problem as well as a great social stigma for couples. Couples who are suffering from Infertility problems, invest a lot of money in different investigations and treatments and do further costly treatments like IVF, but few are successful. They always search for a natural way to control Infertility problems.

Homoeopathy has the best solution for infertility which is why more and more couples are now turning towards homeopathy. Homeopathy treats Infertility not as a disease, but as its root cause. Homeopathic treatment for Infertility is stimulating and supporting a natural conception progressively. 

Homeopathic treatment is based on the selection of the right medicine that suits the constitution and the condition of the infertile couple. Some common homeopathic remedies like Agnus castus, Aurum mur natronatum, Borax, Caladium seguinum, Calcarea carbonica, conium, Damiana, Lycopodium, Natrum carbonicum, Natrum muriaticum, Pulsatilla, Sepia, etc., which works by –

• Increasing the sperm count and improving the quality of sperm.
• Correcting Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
• Correcting menstrual irregularities and Improving ovulation cycles.
• Reducing stress & depression and getting rid of any emotional blockages and negative thoughts.
• Treating any underlying cause like thyroid problems and uterine growths like a fibroid.

A case of Secondary infertility due to repeated miscarriage

This is a case of a 30 years old lady with one daughter of 7 years. She was trying for a second child for the last 4 years. This time she succeeds two times to conceive, but each time she faced a miscarriage in the 3^rd month without any reason. 

Repeated blood tests and ultrasounds have not revealed any pathological problems. Her gynecologist was not having any idea why this has happened.

Then she came to our clinic for a consultation about this problem. After proper case-taking and analysis of her symptoms and history, I advise her to get a semen analysis for her husband. The semen test was also perfect. Then I started giving medicine to her. 

Within a month, she got pregnant, which was not a difficult task as she has already been conceived thrice (one successful and two miscarriages). Now the main challenge has started- how can we prevent the miscarriage?

By suggesting some do’s and don’ts and with proper homeopathic medicines, we were successful to carry her pregnancy to full term without any problem. After 9 months, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The family was very happy. According to them, they have completed their family, now.  

After her successful pregnancy, she sent at least 3-4 women struggling with difficulty in conceiving or having the problem of miscarriages. And by god grace, all succeeded in giving birth to healthy babies.

Homeopathic medicines which were given to her:-

• Viburnum opulus Q
• Sepia 30 to 200
• Aconite 30 for anxiety during the 3^rd month

About the Author: Dr. Rahul Singh

Dr. Rahul Singh is a registered Homeopath and Certified Nutritionist with over 16 years of experience and recipient of multiple awards, helps busy people in this fast life, re-energize with tips on a healthy diet, yoga, beauty, health, and wellness strategies that have an impact on their life.