Types of Infertility

Infertility (as previously described) is a physical state wherein a person lacks the ability to procreate. It can take a variety of forms in both men and women. In general, there are 3 main types of infertility that are common to all genders and those are: primary, secondary and unexplained infertility.

1. Primary infertility: When an individual is unable to get conceive after a year (or shorter in the case of people over the age of 35) of regular and unprotected sexual intercourse.

2. Secondary infertility: When an individual was able to carry through with their pregnancy the first time however are unable to conceive again.

3. Unexplained: When the cause of infertility in an individual cannot be diagnosed leading to the couple being unable to get pregnant.

Infertility is quite prevalent around the world, 48 million couples globally live with infertility. Women being the primary child-bearers are responsible for a lot more of the reproductive process. In order for reproduction to be successful every step of the process has to occur. These steps include:-

1. A mature egg is released by one of the ovaries.

2. The egg is released into the fallopian tube.

3. Sperm swim up the cervix, through the uterus and then into the fallopian tube in order to reach the egg for fertilisation.

4. The fertilised egg travels down the tube and into the uterus.

5. Here, it will implant itself inside the uterus and grow for the next 9 months.

Ovulation disorders: when the production of mature egg cells is infrequent or not at all for most cases it can cause a lot of ovulation disorders such as:-

• Polycystic ovary syndrome/ disorder (PCOS/PCOD)

• Hypothalamic dysfunction

• Primary ovarian insufficiency

• Too much prolactin

Damage to fallopian tubes (tubal infertility): damage to or blockage of fallopian tubes that prevent the sperm from reaching the mature eggs in order to fertilise them.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease

• Previous surgery in the abdomen or pelvis

Endometriosis: when the tissue that typically grows in the uterus implants and grows in other places.

Infertility is a global issue that affects literally millions of people world wide and it is important to know about its types because we believe that by raising awareness about the issue people will be less afraid to talk about it!