UTERUS OR CERVICAL CAUSES
Several uterine or cervical causes can impact
fertility by interfering with implantation or the
likelihood of miscarriage
Benign polyps or tumours
Endometriosis scarring or inflammation
within the uterus can disrupt implantation
Uterine abnormalities present from birth
(eg. Abnormally shaped uterus)
Cervical stenosis (cervical narrowing)
Sometimes the cervix can’t produce the
best mucus to allow the sperm to
travel into the uterus
Sometimes, the causes of infertility is never found. It is
possible that a combination of minor factors in both partners can cause unexplained fertility problems, although it
can be frustrating not to have a direct answer for this,
most of the time, it resolves on its own.
Compiled by Sr Lindi and Sr Tori
References available on request
PLANNING TO START A FAMILY SOON?
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS:
Preparation for pregnancy, ideally 6-12 months
before deciding to start a family
•
Adopt a positive frame of mind.
•
Make time for your health and wellness
and create a nourishing lifestyle.
•
Build your nutrition
•
Choose foods with a high nutrient value,
preferably organic foods.
•
Try to eat 10 servings of fruit and vegetables every day. These should be from all
the colour groups giving you important phytonutrients and antioxidants.
•
Avoid sugar
•
Avoid processed foods
•
Avoid excess salt
•
Try to choose animal products that are organic, grain fed, pasture raised or free
range
•
Always choose fresh foods rather than frozen or pre-packaged
•
Fish is very healthy but avoid fish with high
levels of mercury
•
Supplementation
•
Choose a good quality, well researched
pre-natal vitamins that contain iron, folic
acid and a variety of general vitamins
•
*Be mindful of environmental toxins and be
careful with household products and skin
and hair products. Try to switch to natural
products where you can
•
Take ‘Time out’
•
Give yourself time to relax for at least 30
minutes every day
•
Think about starting yoga class, doing
deep breathing exercises or meditation
•
This is a very exciting time in your life.
Keep a journal, be kind to yourself and we
wish you well!!
National Road
PHARMACY
Reproductive
Health
NATIONAL ROAD PHARMACY
1 Natalia Terrace/Maytime
Charles Way Kloof
Phone: 031 7640311 Fax: 031 7646201
Email: [email protected]
www.nationalroadpharm.co.za
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
The reproductive system is a collection of organs
that work together for the purpose of producing
new life.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Two major parts, the Testes and the Penis.
THE TESTES: where sperm are produced. Having the testes outside of the body facilitates temperature regulation of the sperm – which require
specific temperature to survive.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Consists of the Vagina and Uterus: the receptacle of sperm
Ovaries: produces the females’ ova
The vagina is attached to the uterus through the
cervix, the fallopian tubes connect the uterus to
the ovaries. In response to the hormonal changes,
one ovum or egg (or more in case of multiple
births) is released and sent down the fallopian
tube during ovulation. If not fertilized, this egg is
eliminated as a result of menstruation.
Fertilization of the ovum with the sperm occurs
only at the ampullary-isthimic junction, which is
why intercourse does not always result in pregnancy.
FERTILIZATION
At the time of conception, the ovum meets with
spermatozoon, where the sperm may penetrate and
merge with the egg, resulting in fertilization while the
fertilization usually occurs in the oviducts, it can also
happen in the uterus itself. The egg then becomes
implanted in the lining of the uterus, where it begins
the processes of embryogenesis and morphogenesis.
INFERTILITY
Defined as a couples’ inability to conceive after one
year of regular intercourse.
IN A MALE
Infertility in men is a condition where they produce
no sperm cells (azoospermia);
Too few sperm cells (oligospemia); or
Abnormal sperm cells or die before they reach the
egg
In rare cases infertility in men can be a inherited
condition such as cystic fibrosis or
chromosomal abnormalities
Men can also experience epididymitis, which is
inflammation of the epidymis, the tube that lies
on and around each testicle and plays a role in
the transportation, storage and maturation of
sperm cells
Hypogonadism a condition in which the testicles
do not produce enough testosterone.
IN WOMEN
Infertility is defines as a disorder of the reproductive
system that hinders the body’s ability to ovulate,
conceive or carry an infant to term.
OVULATION DISORDERS
Meaning you ovulate infrequently or not at all, this
can be caused by flaws in the regulation of the
reproductive hormones by the hypothalamus or
the pituitary gland or by problems in the ovary
itself
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Hypothalmic dysfunction
- Premature ovarian syndrome
- Too much prolactin
DAMAGE TO THE FALLOPIAN TUBES
When the fallopian tubes become blocked
or damaged, they keep sperm from getting
to the egg or block the passage of the fertilized egg into the uterus.
Causes of fallopian tube damage or blockage may include
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Previous abdominal surgery
- Pelvic tuberculosis
ENDOMETRIOSIS
It occurs when tissue that normally grows in
the uterus, implants and grows in other locations. This extra tissue (and the surgical removal of it) can cause scar tissue that can obstruct the tube and keep the egg and sperm
from uniting. It can also affect the lining of the
uterus, disrupting implantation of the fertilized
egg.