Infertile
Infertile
Infertile (pronunciation: /ɪnˈfɜːrtaɪl/) is a medical term used to describe the inability of an organism, either male or female, to contribute to conception, or to a female who cannot carry a pregnancy to full term.
Etymology
The term "infertile" comes from the Latin word infertilis, which means "not fruitful". It is a combination of in- (not) and fertilis (fruitful).
Related Terms
- Fertility: The natural capability to produce offspring. As a measure, fertility rate is the number of offspring born per mating pair, individual or population.
- Conception: The action of conceiving a child or of a child being conceived.
- Pregnancy: The state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus.
- Reproductive system: The system of organs involved in producing offspring.
- Ovulation: The release of eggs from the ovaries. In women, this event occurs when the ovarian follicles rupture and release the secondary oocyte ovarian cells.
- Sperm: The male reproductive cell, or gamete, in anisogamous forms of sexual reproduction.
Causes of Infertility
Infertility can be caused by many different factors, including but not limited to: age, lifestyle factors, reproductive system disorders, and certain medical treatments.
Age
Age is a major factor in fertility. Women's fertility starts to decline in their early 30s, with the decline speeding up after 35. Age affects the quality of a woman's eggs. In men, age can affect sperm quality and can decrease testosterone levels.
Lifestyle Factors
Certain lifestyle factors can also affect fertility. These include smoking, excessive alcohol use, drug use, being overweight or underweight, and excessive physical or emotional stress.
Reproductive System Disorders
There are many different types of reproductive system disorders that can cause infertility. These include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and uterine fibroids in women. In men, infertility can be caused by low sperm count or problems with sperm function.
Medical Treatments
Certain medical treatments can also cause infertility. These include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and certain types of surgery.
Treatment
Treatment for infertility depends on the cause, how long you've been infertile, your age and your partner's age, and many personal preferences. Some causes of infertility can't be corrected. However, a woman can still become pregnant with assisted reproductive technology or other procedures to restore fertility.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Infertile
- Wikipedia's article - Infertile
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