This document discusses infertility, including its definition, types, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. It notes that infertility affects approximately 15% of couples worldwide and can be due to factors in either partner that interfere with ovulation, fertilization, or implantation. Evaluation of both partners includes history, exams, semen analysis, and tests of ovulation and fallopian tube patency. Treatment may include fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation, intrauterine insemination (IUI) of sperm into the uterus, or assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like in vitro fertilization (IVF).

1. INFERTILITY
Sarita Sharma
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology
Mumbai

2. INTRODUCTION
• Significant Social And Medical Problem Affecting Worldwide
 Average Incidence Of Infertility Is About 15%
Globally
 Varies In Different Populations
• Some Causes Can Be Detected And Treated,
Whereas Others Cannot
 Unexplained Infertility Constitutes About
10% Of All Cases

3. Definition of Infertility
Inability to conceive after 12 months of having
sexual intercourse with average frequency (2
to 3 times per week), without the use of any
form of birth control
3

4. TYPES OF INFERTILITY
 Primary Infertility
 Couple Has Never Produced A Pregnancy
 Secondary Infertility
 Woman Has Previously Been Pregnant, Regardless
Of The Outcome, And
 Now Is Unable To Conceive

5. CONCEPTION AND FERTILITY
• Main Events Necessary For Pregnancy To
Occur Are:
 Ovulation
 Fertilization
 Implantation
 Any Condition That Interferes With These Events
May Result In Infertility

6. FEMALE INFERTILITY
• This Common Condition May be Due To:
1) Blockage of uterine tubes, often the consequence of pelvic
inflammatory disease
2) Anatomical abnormalities, e.g. retroversion (tilting backwards)
of the uterus
3) Endocrine factors: any abnormalities of the gland & hormones
governing the menstrual cycle can interfere with, exp. Ovulation or
the uterine cycle
4) Low body weight, e.g. in anorexia nervosa or severe
malnourishment
5) Endometriosis
Types of Infertility

7. • 6) Ovarian Dysfunction Resulting In Absent Or
Diminished Egg Production
• 7) Luteal Phase Defect
 Results In Low Production Of Progesterone
 May Lead To Early Miscarriage
8) Production Of Anti-sperm Antibodies
 Can Interfere With Fertilization

8. MALE INFERTILITY
• This May Be Due To:
1) Endocrine disorders
2) Obstruction of the deferent duct
3) Failure of erection or ejaculation during intercourse
4) Vasectomy
5) Suppression of spermatogenesis by e.g. ionizing
radiation, chemotherapy, and other drugs
6) Idiopathic Low Sperm Motility

9. DIAGNOSIS:
• Evaluating Both Partners Is Essential
1) Detailed History And Physical Examination For
Both
2) Semen Analysis
3) Evidence Of Ovulation
4) Evidence Of Fallopian Tubes Patency

10. TREATMENT:
• 1) FERTILITY DRUGS
• 2) INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION (IUI)
• 3. ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE
TECHNOLOGY (ART):

11. 1. FERTILITY DRUGS
Fertility drugs are used to treat female
infertility by addressing ovulation disorders.
These medications work like natural
hormones to promote ovulation. Here are some
common medicines used to treat infertility in
women:
a) Clomiphene citrate (Clomid): This oral medicine
brings about ovulation by causing the pituitary gland
to produce more FSH and LH.
It is recommended for women with polycystic ovarian
syndrome (PCOS).

12. b) stimulating hormone or FSH: These medicines
are similar in effect to Clomid except that they
stimulate the ovaries directly and not the
pituitary gland. They are also injected and not
taken orally.
c) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH)
:Women who don't ovulate regularly or who
ovulate prematurely are usually given this
medicine.
These medicines are usually injected.
d) Follicle-stimulating hormone/FSH: stimulates the
maturation of egg follicles in the ovaries

13. 2. INTRAUTERINE
INSEMINATION (IUI)
also called artificial insemination.
Using this method, the woman is injected with sperm.
3. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART):
 works by extracting eggs from a woman's body and
then mixing them with sperm to make embryos.
 The embryos are then put back in the woman's body.
The most common method of ART is In vitro
fertilization (IVF).
 It is often used when a woman's Fallopian tubes are
blocked or when a man produces very less sperm