Infertility of unknown origin

Causes

Infertility is called idiopathic because its causes are not clear. However, it is known for certain about the factors that increase the risk of encountering it. Thus, being male increases the risks. Idiopathic infertility in men develops in one case out of three. Age also affects. The larger it is, the greater the danger that a person will not be able to conceive a baby. Lifestyle directly affects human fertility. The patient's lifestyle has a negative impact on the possibility of conception. Stress reduces the possibility of conception.

Most often, doctors only guess about the real causes of idiopathic infertility. It is very difficult to prove their presence. For example, it may occur due to the fact that the shell of female eggs thickens.

Diagnosis of idiopathic infertility is carried out using a number of procedures. For example, laparoscopy is usually required. As a rule, during such a surgical intervention it turns out that the woman’s fertility was impaired due to progressive endometriosis or adhesions.

Causes of idiopathic infertility

There are two types of idiopathic infertility. Primary - when pregnancy does not occur, and secondary - when a woman has already been pregnant, but at the moment she cannot become pregnant.

There is no main cause for this disease; there is only a list of factors that increase the risk of this pathology:

• women whose age exceeds 40 years. Ovarian reserve decreases every year, so if a woman wants to get pregnant after 36 years, she will need to be tested every six months.
• the onset of menopause;
• stressful situations that negatively affect not only the reproductive system, but also the entire body as a whole;
• bad habits (smoking, alcohol).

Necessary research

The diagnosis is made after all other options have been discarded. For example, it is mandatory to check the hormonal levels of men and women and perform post-coital tests. Sometimes the reason for the inability to conceive lies in sexually transmitted infections. It is necessary to do an ultrasound and spermogram. Before making a diagnosis of “idiopathic infertility,” immunological infertility is excluded. For this purpose, the composition of cervical mucus and ejaculate is checked.

As a rule, a doctor who is approached by patients with a similar problem will be interested in whether there are any malfunctions in the reproductive and endocrine systems of men and women. It will be necessary to find out what the condition of the fallopian tubes is, whether there are adhesions that could prevent conception. It is known that some sexually transmitted diseases occur secretly, which means that the couple’s research on this issue should be the most thorough. It is also impossible for couples suffering from genetic diseases to conceive. The problem may be poor quality sperm.

And if after research in all these areas no abnormalities are revealed, a diagnosis of “idiopathic infertility” is made.

Diagnosis by exclusion

Before thinking about infertility, a couple should try to conceive on their own for a year with regular unprotected sex. At this time, the woman’s immune system gets acquainted with the father’s genes, develops tolerance to them and gives the “green light” for embryo implantation.2

Although many methods are available to evaluate female infertility, it may not be necessary to go through them all and the cause will be found quickly. The gynecologist usually starts with a medical history, a complete physical examination and some preliminary tests. In parallel with the beginning of the woman’s diagnosis, her partner must take a spermogram.

A woman's past health and medical history can provide clues about the cause of infertility. The doctor must conduct a survey about sexual development since childhood, the age at which menstruation began, past illnesses and infections, operations, and medications used. At this stage, an ultrasound is performed and blood is taken for hormones of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and ovaries.

What examinations need to be carried out:

• transvaginal ultrasound;
• hormone tests (follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol and anti-Mullerian hormone, TSH, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, progesterone);
• HSG (hysterosalpingography) to assess tubal patency;
• tests for STD infections (sexually transmitted diseases);
• hysteroscopy of the uterus;
• genetic tests;
• BAC (bacteria culture) from the uterus;
• HLA typing for genetic incompatibility in a couple;
• postcoital test for antibodies to male sperm;
• as a last resort, laparoscopy is necessary to diagnose endometriosis and tubal adhesions.

Only after all the examinations can a diagnosis of infertility of unknown origin or unexplained infertility be made.

Based on all examinations, other reasons that could interfere with conception are excluded:

• amenorrhea;
• anovulation;
• fallopian tube adhesions;
• tumors;
• polyps;
• endometriosis;
• infections or STDs;
• ovarian cysts;
• gene mutations;
• hormonal disbalance;
• immune reaction to sperm;
• endometritis;
• myomatous nodes;
• genetic incompatibility.

Treatment

Taking into account the fact that there are no exact reasons for this phenomenon, it is hardly possible to carry out targeted therapy. Therefore, a general treatment strategy is chosen. Taking into account the specific causes and treatment of idiopathic infertility, doctors have come to the conclusion that patients can be helped by waiting or empirical methods. These are the recommendations given to young people who have sufficient time. The doctor prescribes medications for the couple that do not affect the process of conception. As a rule, drugs have a positive effect on the nervous system. The very fact of treatment plays a big role here - it is this that allows you to achieve a psychological effect. Doctors often prescribe general health-improving medications. Regular physical activity is important to keep the body in good shape.

But it is believed that treatment of idiopathic infertility will be possible not by using medications, but by changing the lifestyle itself. The couple will need a balanced diet and giving up bad habits. It is necessary to exclude stress and overwork. Sometimes a change in working conditions is required if during work a person comes into contact with negative influences - radiation, temperature changes. It is important to get rid of the effects of industrial poison.

Reproductive technologies are also used in the treatment of idiopathic infertility in women and men. Those who have no time to wait resort to such methods. They are also used by those who have waited a long time and have not yet achieved conception.

The main reason for adopting a wait-and-see strategy first is the high cost of the second option. Significant financial investments will be required, but the likelihood of conception in this case will increase many times over. The main way to get pregnant is through in vitro fertilization. In this case, the embryo is simply grown for several days in the laboratory and only then transplanted into the uterus, as a result the woman becomes pregnant.

Treatment of idiopathic infertility

At the moment, infertility is a pressing problem for many families who have been trying to get pregnant for many years. Based on large statistics, family planning centers and genetic centers have been created in many cities, where spouses will have the opportunity to undergo a full examination and receive highly qualified specialist advice.

Some believe that this type of infertility does not require special treatment, since there are no problems, you just need to wait and not give up. This may be so, but if there are reasons, then to eliminate them you need to be examined.

Due to the fact that the causes of idiopathic infertility have not been precisely established to date, there are no rational approaches to the treatment of such infertility. For this reason, it is advisable to use methods that have proven effective in treating other types of infertility.

Presence of ovulation and absence of pregnancy

The question of why there is ovulation but no pregnancy often worries those who have more than 6 years of experience with idiopathic infertility. And in some cases it can last even longer. About 20% of couples experience this phenomenon. According to statistics, men suffer more often from infertility. In second place are women over 40 years old. The thing is that by this age the ovarian reserve is reduced. And although ovulation occurs, the tests may be excellent, pregnancy never occurs.

Characteristic features of idiopathic infertility in women are the regularity of ovulation, the absence of hormonal fluctuations and pathologies. In this case, the couple has positive compatibility; there are no antisperm antibodies.

In men with idiopathic infertility, there are no abnormalities in the composition of sperm, as well as STDs. It is important that couples try to conceive during ovulation.

Traditional methods of treatment

Recipe No. 1

• 2 kilograms of sugar;
• 1 liter of viburnum juice;
• 250 ml water;
• mix lemon juice and sugar, 2 tbsp. Add the resulting mixture to 250 ml of water.
• take orally three times a day.

Recipe No. 2

• 1 teaspoon of dry ground calamus roots;
• 250 ml. boiling water;
• Infuse calamus roots in 250 ml of boiling water for 20 minutes;
• take every time before meals.

Recipe No. 3

• sea ​​buckthorn juice;
• take 200 ml every day on an empty stomach;
• Course duration is 1 month.

Recipe No. 4

• 6 tbsp. l. ground valerian roots;
• pour valerian roots with water and leave for 1 hour, then boil over low heat for 20 minutes;
• remove from heat and let it brew for 5 minutes, then cool and pour into a bath of water;
• Take this bath for 2 weeks before going to bed at night.

Recipe No. 5

• 2 tablespoons calamus root;
• 150 ml. water;
• 2 tablespoons of ground Lyubka bifolia root;
• Pour the calamus roots with water and leave to infuse for 2 hours, then strain;
• Pour the infusion of calamus over the roots of Lyubka bifolia;
• take the resulting tincture 1 tbsp 4 times a day;
• the course of treatment lasts 10 days.

Recipe No. 6

• 1 tablespoon plantain;
• 300 ml of boiled or purified water;
• pour the plantain with water, boil for 20 minutes in a water bath, then remove from the heat and leave for another 15 minutes, then cool and strain;
• the course of treatment lasts 2 months;
• take 1 tbsp. l. three times a day.

1. It is necessary to eat as much sorrel as possible; sage should be added to fish and meat dishes.
2. It is recommended to drink wheat germ juice in small quantities. Wheat germ contains many substances and vitamins that have a positive effect on human reproductive function.
3. To increase sperm activity, a man needs to take onion tincture. To do this, 1 kilogram of onion is poured with 0.5 liters of vodka and infused for one week. After which the solution must be filtered and taken 1 teaspoon per 0.5 glass of water 2 times a day. It will also be useful to eat onions raw.

Couples who have been unable to conceive a child for a long time should never despair. With proper nutrition, absence of stress, and following the doctor’s recommendations, a long-awaited pregnancy should definitely occur.

Very often, with idiopathic infertility, doctors recommend expectant management. After some time, sometimes several years, many couples manage to conceive a child without any treatment. However, when time is of the essence, idiopathic infertility must be treated.

IVF and other methods

At the moment, medicine offers many ways to solve the problem. IVF is recognized as a last resort method. The method that is as close as possible to natural conditions is intrauterine insemination. In this case, the sperm is injected into the uterus using a catheter. Thanks to this, the chances of conception increase significantly.

Ovulation is also stimulated with the help of other medications. If you combine them, the likelihood of conception will only increase.

To conceive, both female and male organisms must have a certain supply of substances. For this, the couple is often prescribed vitamin complexes. For example, vitamin A provides protection against infections, vitamin E contributes to normal sperm production. In women, it ensures the regularity of the menstrual cycle. Vitamin C stimulates the immune system, and vitamin D normalizes the activity of the thyroid gland.

Along with vitamins, it is often necessary to provide the body with a supply of useful microelements. Thus, complexes with zinc, manganese, and iodine are often prescribed. These elements are recommended for both women and men. They have a positive effect on sperm quality.

Examination for men

Since this diagnosis is not limited to women, it is also important for men to undergo testing.

• First of all, this concerns the spermogram. Her indicators should be within normal limits.
• Secondly, the MAP test must show a negative result. That is, there should be no anti-sperm cells in a man’s body.
• Another important condition for making a diagnosis is the absence of hidden infectious diseases.

This is not the entire list of conditions under which infertility of unknown origin is diagnosed. The forum describes many cases where there is no medical explanation for this condition. For example, with a sufficient frequency of sexual intercourse at the time of ovulation, fertilization does not occur.

When is IVF recommended?

If all of the above methods do not help, doctors advise IVF. In this case, the likelihood of conception increases by implanting not one, but two embryos at once. In addition to significant financial investments, it is worth preparing for the fact that IVF will become a serious burden on the female body. For the most part, it will be about the medications. Also, when carrying out IVF, the risk of miscarriage and premature birth is never excluded. Sometimes pregnancy is quite difficult, and the risk of complications increases. But at the same time, for many couples, IVF has become the only opportunity to conceive a child.

In men

As a rule, idiopathic infertility in males is due to the fact that sperm quality decreases. According to statistics, in every fourth case there is no reason for the decrease in sperm quality.

It is believed that similar processes actually occur due to the influence of both external and internal factors. So, what kind of life a man leads and how he eats influences. The environment also has an impact.

During the diagnosis, it is revealed that there are sperm in the semen, but they are much less than the permissible norms. A person’s work activity also influences how sperm are formed. Unfavorable working conditions sometimes activate the inherent pathological processes in the male body; hormonal disorders may be present. If there is toxic exposure at work, this will also necessarily have a negative impact on men's health.

How to treat an unexplained illness?

Idiopathic infertility in women and men is a pressing problem of the current time. To help couples with this problem, there are special family planning centers where those in need can undergo examination and receive highly qualified assistance from specialists.

Doctors offer two main therapeutic methods to combat this disease. The first way is waiting and experimental therapy. This method is prescribed to young couples who have time to wait. Vitamins containing zinc, folic acid and iodine are prescribed, which increase fertility.

The second method is prescribed to older couples. These are procedures such as artificial insemination, intrauterine insemination, and activation of superovulation.

Couples who cannot have a child for a long time should not give up. If you eat right, avoid stress and follow all the instructions of your doctor, then pregnancy will occur over time.

The influence of food

The nutritional factor also negatively affects the condition of sperm. Men who are obese are less likely to conceive a child. According to statistical studies, men with infertility eat less food full of omega-3 fatty acids. Fasting is also a factor that causes male infertility. Sometimes congenital and genetic pathologies are present.

The characteristics of sperm change constantly under the influence of both the external and internal environment. And even elevated body temperature, which was present for only a couple of days, can affect the spermogram for several more months.

The same applies to stress factors. If abnormalities are detected during semen testing, a repeat test should be performed at least two weeks later. If the study shows that the sperm is fine, it is not repeated. If a man has experienced prolonged exposure to stress factors, this will affect many body functions. Typically, men suffering from idiopathic infertility are much more likely to experience severe stress at work.

Causes of infertility of unknown nature

There is a whole list of reasons why a couple may be diagnosed with “idiopathic infertility”, and among them:

• absence of genetic disorders in partners,
• no similarity in HLA antigens,
• there are no antisperm bodies in the blood plasma,
• no STDs have been diagnosed,
• the partner’s sperm is completely normal and suitable for conception,
• the partner's cervix is ​​in a healthy condition,
• uterine hyperplasia or fibroids, as well as polyps, endometriosis, synechiae and other pathological conditions are not diagnosed,
• there are no adhesions in the pelvic area,
• the fallopian tubes are passable,
• There are no pathologies of the endocrine and reproductive systems,
• Menstruation and ovulation occur regularly.

Psychological idiopathic infertility

If all of the above indicators are normal, the reasons for the failure of such a long-awaited conception lie not in the plane of the couple’s physical health, but in the field of psychology. After all, it also happens that idiopathic infertility occurs because the partner is not confident in her spouse, or because she has a hidden reluctance to have offspring. It should be remembered that psychological factors can significantly influence the onset and development of infertility problems, and consultation with a specialized specialist in such a situation is necessary.