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The Facts

Infertility is usually defined as the inability to become pregnant after one year of sex without birth control. It affects about 10% of couples of reproductive age. In about one-third of cases, it's attributed to the man, and a similar proportion is due to problems in the woman. In the other third of cases, either both partners have problems, or the cause of the infertility is never found. There is often overlap of the causes with combined factors in up to 20% of couples.

People shouldn't assume that they or their partners are infertile until they've tried and failed to conceive for at least six months if the female partner is 35 years or older or for at least one year if the female partner is less than 35 years. If you still are not able to get pregnant after this time, check with your doctor. Fortunately, it's not uncommon for couples to suddenly conceive a child without treatment after years of trying unsuccessfully.
Causes

There are hundreds of medical problems that can cause infertility in both men and women.

Causes of infertility in men include:

* hormone disturbance
* smoking
* overheating of the testicles caused by exercise, hot water, tight clothing, excessive sitting (truck drivers) and other conditions and situations
* cancer drugs and radiation therapy
* mumps after puberty
* sexually transmitted diseases
* anatomical abnormalities of the genitals such as undescended testicles
* use of some medications, such as some antihypertensives, some antidepressants, and male hormones
* genital injury
* prostate surgery
* varicose veins in the testicles
* excessive alcohol
* intercourse problems such as premature withdrawal or poor timing with their partner's menstrual cycle
* spinal cord injury
* genetic abnormalities
* urinary tract infection
* cystic fibrosis

health.myfoxtoledo.com/conditionfactsheet.aspx - Preview

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Researchers at Yale School of Medicine now have a clearer understanding of why synthetic estrogens such as those found in many widely-used plastics have a detrimental effect on a developing fetus, cause fertility problems, as well as vaginal and breast cancers.

Preliminary results of the study will be presented at the 2008 Society for Gynecologic Investigation (SGI) Annual Scientific Meeting held March 26-29 in San Diego, California. The study was led by Hugh S. Taylor, M.D., professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Science and section chief of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Yale School of Medicine.

Past research shows that exposure to the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) alters the expression of HOXA10, a gene necessary for uterine development, and increases the risk of cancer and pregnancy complications in female offspring.

The team sought to understand why a developing female fetus exposed to DES might develop uterine cancer and other problems years after exposure. Even though DES is no longer on the market, the authors chose to study its effects to gain insight into how similar synthetic estrogens might work.

www.news-medical.net/?id=36871 - Preview

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