Uncommon or Rare Sexual Disorders

The cause is unknown.

The causes may include sickle-cell disease, abuse of certain drugs, local or spinal cord injuries.


3.4 INFERTILITY


It is defined as the inability of a couple to achieve a clinically recognizable pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse.  On the other hand fertility is defined as the capacity to reproduce or the state of being fertile. As a womans’ age increases the incidence of infertility also increases


Subfertility is sometimes used synonymously


Infecundability is the inability of a couple to achieve a live birth after a year of unprotected intercourse


Sterility is total inability to achieve a pregnancy


3.4.1 Classification of Infertility




Infertility is primarily a disorder of couples. The man is responsible in about 30% of cases, the woman in about 40% of cases and both in the remaining 30%.


Reproduction requires the interaction and integrity of the female and male reproductive tracts, which involves;

1. The release of normal ovum

2. The production of adequate spermatozoa

3.  The normal transport of the gametes to the ampullary portion of the fallopian tube

4. The subsequent transport of the fertilized zygote to the endometrial cavity for implantation and development.


Infertility occurs when something in this pattern does not happen. The problem could be with the woman, the man or both. About 10% of cases the cause is unknown. For infertility with an unknown cause, all findings from standard test may be normal. The actual cause may not be detected because the problem may be with the egg or sperm itself or the embryo and its ability to implant.


For Men:

The most common cause of infertility is the sperm. Either no sperm cells are produce or few are produced. The sperm can also be deformed or die before reaching the ovum. Mumps orchitis, Prostatitis and STIs are some of the causes.’


For women: 

The most common cause is an ovulation disorder. Other causes include blocked fallopian tube as a result of PID or endometriosis, congenital anomalies involving the structure of the uterus, uterine fibroid may also cause repeated miscarriage.

 

The following conditions can predispose couple to the risk of infertility:

1. Pelvic inflammatory disease

2. Endometriosis

3. Environmental and occupational factors

4. Toxic effect related to tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs

5. Vigorous exercise

6. Poor diet associated with extreme weight loss or gain (obesity or anorexia nervosa)

7. Age

8. Physical and psychological stress

9. Medications

10. Genetic conditions e.g klinifelters syndrome in men and x-syndrome in females

11. Exposing the testes to high temperature.