Can Certain Illnesses Affect My Fertility In The Future?

Many couples struggle with fertility problems. Infertility can be caused by many factors. In about 50% of the cases, infertility is caused by a problem with the woman. In around 40% of cases, it is due to male infertility. In the remaining 10% of cases, it is a problem with both the man and the woman. For men, the most common cause of infertility is a low sperm count. In addition to a low sperm count, some men’s sperm have problems with motility, or the ability of the sperm to swim forward. For some men, their bodies may contain antibodies that counteract their own sperm. Sometimes, there is a problem with the vas deferens, the tube that carries the sperm from the testicles into the body.

For women, there can be many different problems that can cause infertility. PID or Pelvic Inflammatory disease can lead to infertility. Some women develop antibodies to a partner’s sperm. Some women have irregular ovulation cycles. A woman may have failure of the ovaries or of the pituitary gland. Endometriosis may head to infertility. Some studies suggest that long-term use of the birth control pill may also lead to infertility. A woman may have a blockage or damage to the fallopian tubes. Several conditions involving the reproductive organs, such as fibroids, an abnormal womb shape, or congenital abnormalities may also lead to infertility.

In both men and women, several things can lead to infertility, including nutritional problems, extreme stress, exposure to heavy metals, Chlamydia, the use of some prescription and illicit drugs, and smoking.

There are other illnesses that can affect future fertility as well. In addition to PID, STDs, and endometriosis, a variety of abdominal diseases can affect your fertility. Appendicitis and colitis can both cause the abdominal cavity to become inflamed, and this can cause scarring or blockage of the fallopian tubes. Any abdominal surgery can cause scarring that could interfere with conception as well.

Cancer can also affect fertility. Cancer can certainly affect the reproductive organs, such as the ovaries, the cervix, or the lining of the uterus. In addition, treatments for cancer such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy can harm the ovaries, or damage the fallopian tubes or uterine lining.

The good news for a couple experiencing infertility is that there are a variety of treatments available that may help a couple who are trying to conceive. If you believe you are experiencing infertility, contact your health care provider and she may be able to help identify the cause of infertility and correct it.

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This entry was posted under Fertility Issues.