Infertility pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sanjana Nethagani, M.B.B.S.[3]

Overview[edit | edit source]

Disorders of ovulation make up at least 25% of the cases of infertility worldwide, according to a study done by WHO. Other pathologies such as genital tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis make up the bulk of female infertility cases.

Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]

Male infertility[edit | edit source]

• A decrease in sperm count^[1]
• Sperm being blocked from being released
• Sperm that do not work properly
• Genetic disease such as Klienefelter syndrome, Noonan syndrome and chromosome Y deletions.

Female infertility[edit | edit source]

• A fertilized egg or embryo does not survive once it sticks to the lining of the womb (uterus).^[2]
• The fertilized egg does not attach to the lining of the uterus
• The eggs cannot move from the ovaries to the womb
• The ovaries have problems producing egg
• Hormonal imbalance such as hyperprolactinemia, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, PCOS which interfere with fertility.

Associated conditions[edit | edit source]

• Endometriosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Diabetes mellitus
• Hypothyroidism

References[edit | edit source]