Causes of reproductive health problems are many and varied and can occur at the earliest stages of embryonic and fetal development and can persist through puberty into adulthood. Causes can range from genetic causes to environmental causes to lifestyle factors. Lifestyle factors can be modified to improve reproductive health.
Genetic causes
Normally, girls have two X chromosomes (XX) and boys have one X and one Y chromosome (XY). Very rarely, only one chromosome is inherited (XO) at fertilization causing a medical condition called Turner's Syndrome. Children with Turner's syndrome are female but with only residual ovaries fail to go through puberty normally, often have other medical conditions and are infertile.
Fetal Environment
The widespread use of the synthetic estrogen DES, prescribed for pregnant women from the 1940s to 1970s to prevent miscarriage, caused abnormal development of the vagina, uterus or cervix in female fetuses, causing infertility. DES exposure also increased the risk of various reproductive tract cancers for both the pregnant women and their children.
Hormonal dysfunction
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one example of a hormonal dysfunction syndrome which can cause irregular cycles and fertility problems. Women with PCOS have higher than normal levels of circulating androgens, and typically develop multiple cysts on their ovaries, disrupting normal cyclicity and fertility.
Body weight and fitness
Weight extremes in women (either morbid obesity or extreme athleticism) can cause hormonal imbalances which can disrupt regular menstrual cycles. Obesity in men can reduce sperm count, motility and fertilizing ability of sperm. A poor diet, deficient in essential vitamins and minerals, can also contribute to fertility problems, because a number of vitamins have been shown to be necessary for normal reproductive function.
Infections of the reproductive organs
Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause infections of the reproductive tract resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, which causes infertility. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics and prevented with condom use.
Smoking
Smoking is toxic to fertility
Women who smoke tend to be less fertile than women who don't smoke. When smokers become pregnant, their babies are typically smaller and may not thrive as well. Smoking in men decreases the sperm count and fertilizing ability of sperm.
Tags: ability sperm, fertility problems, fertilizing ability, fertilizing ability sperm, pregnant women, reproductive health, reproductive tract
