Infertility

Infertility is a condition that affects many couples worldwide. It is defined as the inability to conceive after 12-months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse.

Infertility can be attributed to factors in either partner or a combination of both.

Understanding the underlying causes, recognising the symptoms, and exploring the available treatment options are crucial steps for couples facing infertility.

Female Infertility Factors

The follow conditions can impact a female’s fertility:

  • Causes: Hormonal imbalances, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothalamic dysfunction, premature ovarian insufficiency, and hyperprolactinemia.
  • Symptoms: Irregular or absent menstrual cycles, heavy or light menstrual bleeding.
  • Risk Factors: Obesity, extreme weight loss or gain, excessive physical or emotional stress.
  • Treatment Options: Medications like clomiphene citrate, letrozole, and gonadotropins to stimulate ovulation; lifestyle modifications; and addressing underlying conditions.
  • Causes: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis, previous pelvic surgeries, and ectopic pregnancies.
  • Symptoms: Often asymptomatic but may include pelvic pain and irregular menstruation.
  • Risk Factors: History of PID, endometriosis, or abdominal surgeries.
  • Treatment Options: Surgical procedures such as laparoscopic surgery to remove blockages or repair damage; in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
  • Causes: Growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, exact cause unknown.
  • Symptoms: Pelvic pain, menstrual irregularities, painful intercourse, and infertility.
  • Risk Factors: Family history, menstrual cycles shorter than 27 days, and early menstruation.
  • Treatment Options: Pain relief medications, hormonal therapies, surgical removal of endometrial tissue, and IVF.
  • Causes: Congenital abnormalities, fibroids, polyps, and cervical stenosis.
  • Symptoms: Abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, and recurrent miscarriages.
  • Risk Factors: Congenital conditions, age, and hormonal imbalances.
  • Treatment Options: Surgical procedures to correct abnormalities, removal of fibroids or polyps, and assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

Male Infertility Factors

The follow conditions can impact a male’s fertility:

  • Causes: Genetic disorders, hormonal imbalances, varicocele, infections, and exposure to environmental toxins.
  • Symptoms: Low sperm count, poor sperm motility, and abnormal sperm morphology.
  • Risk Factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and exposure to heat or radiation.
  • Treatment Options: Medications to improve hormone levels, surgical repair of varicocele, lifestyle changes, and assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
  • Causes: Infections, injuries, congenital conditions, and vasectomy.
  • Symptoms: Absence of sperm in the ejaculate, pain or swelling in the testicles.
  • Risk Factors: History of infections, surgeries, and genetic conditions.
  • Treatment Options: Surgical procedures to remove blockages or reverse vasectomy, sperm retrieval techniques for ART.
  • Causes: Retrograde ejaculation, premature ejaculation, and psychological factors.
  • Symptoms: Difficulty ejaculating, reduced semen volume, and infertility.
  • Risk Factors: Diabetes, surgeries, neurological conditions, and stress.
  • Treatment Options: Medications to address underlying conditions, behavioural therapies, and assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

Causes and Symptoms of Infertility

  • Age: Female fertility declines significantly after age 35, while male fertility also decreases with age, though less dramatically.
  • Genetic Factors: Both partners may have genetic conditions that impact fertility.
  • Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and extreme weight loss or gain can affect fertility.
  • Environmental Exposures: Exposure to toxins, chemicals, and radiation can impair reproductive health.
  • Medical Conditions: Chronic illnesses, infections, and hormonal disorders can all contribute to infertility.
  • Women: Irregular or absent menstrual cycles, pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, and symptoms of hormonal imbalances.
  • Men: Changes in sexual function, pain or swelling in the testicles, low sperm count, and hormonal symptoms like decreased facial or body hair.
  • Age: Women over 35 and men over 40 have a higher risk of infertility.
  • Lifestyle Choices: Smoking, alcohol use, drug abuse, and poor diet.
  • Medical History: Previous surgeries, infections, or chronic illnesses.
  • Environmental Exposures: Chemicals, toxins, and radiation.
  • Genetics: Family history of infertility or genetic conditions.

Treatment Options

  • Women: Clomiphene citrate, letrozole, gonadotropins, and hormonal therapies to regulate ovulation and menstrual cycles.
  • Men: Hormonal treatments, medications to improve sperm quality, and antibiotics for infections.
  • Women: Laparoscopy for endometriosis, tubal surgery, fibroid removal, and corrective surgeries for anatomical abnormalities.
  • Men: Varicocele repair, vasectomy reversal, and surgical sperm retrieval techniques.
  • Both Partners: Smoking cessation, reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress.
  • IVF, IUI, ICSI, Egg and Sperm Donation, Surrogacy: Advanced techniques to assist with conception and pregnancy.

Infertility is a deeply personal and often anxiety-provoking experience, impacting individuals and couples both physically and emotionally. In Australia, fertility specialists and gynaecologists provide tailored, evidence-based care to guide patients through this challenging journey with compassion and expertise.

The National Women’s Health Strategy 2020–2030 highlights the importance of raising awareness about infertility, promoting early intervention, and ensuring equitable access to high-quality fertility services. Australia’s Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) guidelines, overseen by the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee (RTAC), ensure that fertility treatments are delivered safely, ethically, and effectively. Medicare rebates for certain fertility treatments also help reduce financial barriers for many.

MIGYNAE is committed to supporting individuals and couples during this challenging time, combining expertise in advanced reproductive care with a compassionate approach to ease the stress and uncertainty of the fertility journey.

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We are a general gynaecology clinic based in Melbourne, dedicated to the latest Minimally Invasive (MI) gynaecological diagnostic and surgical techniques. We are leaders in laparoscopic and cutting-edge robotic “keyhole” surgery.

If you have a question about a condition or treatment, or would like to book an appointment, please get in touch.

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At MIGYNAE, we provide care to all individuals with gynaecological and reproductive health needs, including those with female reproductive organs, regardless of gender identity or assignment at birth. We also welcome trans women and others seeking our specialist expertise.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the East Kulin Nations. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging, and celebrate their rich stories, cultures, and traditions.

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Holiday Notice

Our practice will be closed for the holiday season from 25th December 2024 and reopen on Tuesday 7th January 2025 @ 9.00am.

During this period, emails and incoming referrals will not be answered or monitored.  All correspondence will be processed upon our return on 7th January 2025.

In case of an emergency, please visit your nearest Emergency Department or call 000 for immediate assistance.

If you have had surgery within the last three  weeks, and require urgent medical attention over the holiday closure period, please call the paging service on 9387-1000 to contact your surgeon or attend the nearest  Emergency Department.

On behalf of the entire team at MIGYNAE, we wish you a happy, safe holiday season and a prosperous NEW YEAR.

We look forward to welcoming you back in 2025!