Addressing Reproductive Challenges: A Comprehensive Review of the Common Male and Female Factors Contributing to Infertility, Including Ovulatory Disorders, Sperm Abnormalities, and the Spectrum of Available Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
Infertility, defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse, affects approximately one in six people globally and can stem from male, female, or combined factors. Common female causes include ovulation disorders (like PCOS), blocked fallopian tubes (often due to pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis), and age-related decline in egg quality. Male infertility is typically associated with low sperm count, poor motility, or abnormal morphology, which can be affected by factors like varicoceles or lifestyle choices.
Treatment is highly dependent on the underlying cause, ranging from simple lifestyle modifications and medication to regulate ovulation, to more advanced procedures. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), such as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), offer effective pathways to conception by either concentrating sperm for IUI or facilitating fertilization externally in the lab for IVF, providing hope for couples struggling to conceive naturally.