Surprising Causes of Infertility and How Surrogacy Can Help
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Surprising Causes of Infertility and How Surrogacy Can Help

Being diagnosed as infertile can be depressing for a couple who would like to have their own children. The process involved in trying to have children for such a couple can be daunting, but by opting for surrogacy, there can be light at the end of the tunnel. This article will cover the surprising causes of infertility and how surrogacy can help in building a family.

Surprising Causes of Infertility and How Surrogacy Can Help surrogate
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What is Infertility?

Infertility is a medical condition that can affect both the male and female reproductive system causing the inability to get pregnant after engaging in unprotected sex for a year or more. It can be caused by several factors and may happen to anyone. Globally, it affects millions of people, affecting their families, and the world at large. Infertility affects males and females differently.

Males suffer from:

  • the production of little to no sperm,
  • Irregular morphology of the sperm, or
  • abnormal movement of the sperm. 

Females may experience abnormalities in parts of the reproductive system such as the fallopian tube, uterus, ovaries, etc. 

Surprising Causes of Infertility and How Surrogacy Can Help
Picture courtesy: Shutterstock.com

Causes of Infertility

Several factors cause infertility in the male and female reproductive systems. These factors range from genetic factors, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and even certain medications. 

The following may cause infertility in the female reproductive system:

  • endocrine system disorders which result in irregularities in the reproductive hormones 
  • disorders of the follicle and the ovary such as polycystic ovarian syndrome
  • ovulation disorders, 
  • uterine disorders such as septate uterus, endometriosis, fibroids, etc. 
  • Untreated sexually transmitted infections or unsafe abortion complications lead to tubal disorders.

Causes of infertility in the male reproductive system include:

  • abnormality in the function and quality of a male’s sperm, 
  • failure of the testicles to produce sperm, 
  • disorders of the hormones which cause hormonal irregularities, 
  • exposing the testes to high-temperature degrees, 
  • undescended testicles, 
  • intense cycling, 
  • using a laptop directly on the thigh, 
  • inability to eject semen.

Other causes of infertility include: 

  • excess exposure to radiation,
  • smoking,
  • excess intake of alcohol,
  • exposure to harmful pollutants and toxins, 
  • cancer treatment,
  • genetic disorders (Klinefelter’s syndrome, etc.),
  • sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., gonorrhea),
  • certain medical conditions (cystic fibrosis, autoimmune disorders, etc.)

For a couple suffering from infertility, starting up a family of their own can be very challenging. However, by taking advantage of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), such couples have a fighting chance. One approach to ART that has been embraced by couples fighting infertility is surrogacy.

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is a method of assisted reproduction where a woman (surrogate) carries the child of a couple who wants to be parents. The surrogacy process involves the intended parents going through in vitro fertilization (IVF). This is to aid the transfer of the embryo to the uterus of the surrogate. 

Types of Surrogacy

Surrogacy is of two types.

  • Gestational surrogacy: This is a common type of modern surrogacy in which there the surrogate and the baby are not connected genetically. The intended parents undergo IVF and then the embryo is transferred into the uterus of the surrogate. The donor egg and the sperm used are from the intended mother and father respectively. In this situation, the gestational carrier is referred to as the surrogate. The gestational carrier and the baby do not share DNA.
  • Traditional surrogacy: In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is the baby’s biological mother because she donates her uterus and eggs. Fertilization is done via intrauterine insemination, a type of artificial insemination used to treat infertility by fusing the donated sperm from the sperm donor or the intended father. Afterward, implantation is carried out by transferring the embryo to the uterus of the surrogate. The surrogate and the baby share DNA.  

How can Surrogacy help with infertility?

 Although surrogacy comes with its issues, it is usually the answer for many couples who wish to be parents. The process of surrogacy is quite demanding, but the result which is the birth of a child makes it rather rewarding. 

Surrogacy has been of great benefit to several families around the globe. 

  • One such benefit is providing intending parents the chance to raise a child from birth.  
  • With surrogacy, intended parents can have a chance to share a bond with the surrogate mother and the baby from the point of embryo transfer to the time of the baby’s delivery.
  • Surrogate mothers are more likely to carry a pregnancy to term due to prior experience as a surrogate. This has proven to be more successful than fertility treatments.
  • Surrogacy allows intended parents to fully experience the milestones of pregnancy. They get to witness the entire pregnancy process and the birth of their child.
  • Surrogacy provides an opportunity for a couple battling infertility to build a family of their own.

Infertility is a medical condition that can happen to anyone and can be quite challenging. It can be caused by a range of factors, mostly genetic or environmental. Some of these surprising causes of infertility in females include hormonal imbalances, ovulation disorders, etc. In men, abnormal function and poor quality of the sperm are two of the many causes of infertility. For intended parents battling infertility, the process of having children of their own can be emotionally painful. However, surrogacy gives hope to such couples by providing them with the opportunity to build a family of their own. 

The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. It is not intended to replace professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding your health. Read more

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