Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

Trainer document
CAUSES OF INFERTILITY
Causes of Infertility in Men
Anything which affects the production of sperm or the transportation of sperm into the
woman’s vagina could lead to infertility:
• Poor quality of semen, especially low number of sperm or sperm that cannot move,
can be induced by different causes:
o Physical factors
• Excessive heat due to tight underwear, working for long periods at high
temperature (near ovens or furnaces)
• Chemicals
• Direct injury of the testes
• Excessive smoking and drinking
• Drug use (marijuana, heroin, cocaine)
• Certain diseases (diabetes, thyroid disease)
o Infections of the testes (mumps infection after puberty)
o Failure of the testes to descend from the abdomen at an early age
o Abnormally small testes.
• Inability to deposit sperm in the vagina
o Blocked passage (semen cannot come out of the testes)
• Complication of sexually transmitted diseases, especially gonorrhea and
Chlamydia
• Tuberculosis
o Impotence
• Emotional, psychological factors
• Physical stress
Causes of Infertility in Women
Anything which affects the release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation), the permeability
of the fallopian tube, the structure and the function of the womb, could lead to infertility:
• Failure to ovulate: represents approximately 20% of the causes of infertility in
women; there are many factors which can lead to failure of ovulation
o Hormonal disturbances
o Ovaries dysfunctions and abnormalities
o Physical factors
• Chemicals
• Excessive smoking and drinking
• Drug use (marijuana, heroin, cocaine)
179
RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 11: Infertility