HLTH 210 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Advanced Maternal Age, In Vitro Fertilisation
Document Summary
Female fertility: need to ovulate regularly, proper hormones at proper times, proper environment for sperm (cervical mucous, ph, uterine contractions) normal anatomy for sperm transportation and for pregnancy. Male fertility: need to produce 100"s of millions of sperm capable of making it to the oviduct, need normal morphology, ability to swim and ability to undergo the acrosomal reaction. Infertility: inability to conceive after a certain time of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, 6 months for 35+, one year for under 35 infertility issues affect men and women roughly equally. Female infertility: age (over 35 is considered advanced maternal age), problems ovulating, hormonal imbalances, smoking, stress, obesity or being underweight, early menopause, sti"s, broids or polyps, endometriosis, polycystic ovaries. Fibroids: non cancerous growths in the uterus, can prevent proper implantation. Endometriosis: common cause of infertility, growth of endometrium in abnormal places (uterine tubes or ovaries)