Infertility resident survival guide

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sanjana Nethagani, M.B.B.S.[2]

Synonyms and keywords:

Overview

Infertility is defined as a failure to conceive after one or more years of unprotected intercourse. Infertility is divided broadly into primary and secondary infertility where primary infertility is failure to conceive and secondary infertility is failure to conceive after a previous pregnancy. Multiple factors play a role in conception and infertility such as healthy spermatozoa, regular ovulation, patent fallopian tubes, normal uterine cavity etc.

Causes

Common causes of female infertility are listed below.

Genetic causes

• Turner's syndrome
• Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome
• Kallmann syndrome
• Primary ciliary dyskinesia

Endocrine causes

• Hypothyroidism
• Hypopituitarism
• Hyperprolactinemia
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
• Hypogonadotropic hypergonadism

Ovarian causes

• Anovulation
• Luteal phase defect
• Luteinised unruptured follicle

Tubal causes

• Pelvic inflammatory disease causing adhesions and endosalpingeal damage
• Previous tubal surgery
• Tubal endometriosis

Uterine causes

• Polyps
• Fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Congenital uterine anomalies such as septate uterus
• Uterine hypoplasia

Cervical factors

• Congenital elongation of cervix
• Uterine prolapse
• Cauterization of cervix

Vaginal factors

• Vaginal atresia
• Transverse vaginal septum
• Septate vagina
• Vaginitis

Miscellaneous factors

• Advanced age
• Anxiety
• Dyspareunia
• Contraceptive use

Diagnosis

Shown below is an algorithm summarizing the diagnosis of female infertility .

Couple with infertility

Detailed history including ❑ Any history of abdominal or pelvic surgery? ❑ Menstrual history ❑ History of contraceptive use ❑ Obstetric history ❑ Any history of diethylstilbestrol exposure ❑ Frequency of intercourse ❑ Any history of STDs in either partner ❑ History of acne, hirsutism or recent weight changes

Physical examination ❑ Height, weight and BMI Head and neck examination for ❑ Exophthalmos ❑ Webbed neck ❑ Epicanthal fold ❑ Presence of any neck swellings ❑ Breast examination for any swellings or nipple discharge ❑ Any swellings in the abdomen Thorough gynecological exam including ❑ Distribution of pubic hair ❑ If there is presence of any clitoral enlargement ❑ Signs of STDs Bimanual exam might detect the presence of ❑ Uterine fibroids ❑ Cervical motion tenderness ❑ Presence of vaginal septae

Initial investigations ❑ Urine examination ❑ Complete blood count ❑ Fasting and post prandial blood sugar estimation ❑ Semen analysis ❑ Hysterosalpingography

Normal semen analysis

Ovarian causes

Endometrial causes

Cervical causes

Fallopian tube causes

Methods to detect ovulation ❑ Basal body temperature measurement throughout cycle ❑ Vaginal cytology ❑ Cervical mucus study ❑ Serum progesterone ❑ Serum Lutenizing hormone ❑ Serum estradiol ❑ Urine Lutenizing hormone level ❑ Transvaginal ultrasound

Endometrial biopsy on day 21-23

Cervical mucus study/ Sperm cervical mucus contact test

❑ Hysterosalpingography ❑ Laproscopy

Anovulatory cycle

Ovulatory cycle

Progressive motile sperm seen

Sperm antibodies

Investigate the following ❑ Serum FSH ❑ Serum LH ❑ Serum Prolactin ❑ TSH level ❑ If hirsutism is present check testosterone levels and 17-Hydroxyprogesterone levels ❑ If FSH and LH levels are in the low-normal range, but with high prolactin, consider CT or MRI of the head

If age is >30 years, work up with all other investigations including day 3 FSH

Occasionally, IgG, IgA or IgM antibodies are found against sperm. Treating these anti-sperm antibodies have not shown an improved outcome in pregnancies. Treatment is along the lines of IVF

Non secretory endometrium

Secretory endometrium

Luteal phase defect

Confirmed by basal body temperature or repeat endometrial biopsy and serum progesterone estimated on 8th day

Treatment

Shown below is an algorithm summarizing the treatment of infertility.

Thorough history and initial investigations

Ovulatory causes

Tubal causes

Cervical causes

Endocrinopathies

Uterine causes

Other causes

Anovulation Induction of ovulation can be done by ❑ Clomiphene citrate ❑ hMG ❑ Purified/recombinant FSH ❑ Gonadotropin-releasing hormone and its analogues Assisted reproductive techniques such as ❑ In vitro fertilization ❑ cryopreservation of gametes or fertilised embryos ❑ Intracytoplasmic sperm injection ❑ Egg donation via donors

Correction of biochemical abnormalities ❑ Hyperinsulinemia or insulin resistance - Metformin ❑ Hyperprolactinemia - Bromocriptine

❑ Cervicitis is treated with doxycycline or other antibiotics ❑ Quality of cervical mucus is improved with oral estrogen

❑Uterine fibroids are treated by myomectomy ❑ Uterine septum is corrected by a metroplasty ❑ Polyps are treated by polypectomy ❑ Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis in cases of synechiae

❑ Uncontrolled diabetes must be treated before exploring other options ❑ Hyperthyroidism and Grave's disease causing infertility can be corrected with antithyroid drugs ❑ Hypothyroidism induced infertility is corrected when euthyroid state is achieved ❑ CAH causes infertility which can be corrected with clomiphene and other ovulation induction techniques ARTs are used when ovulation stimulation fails ❑ Treating infertility in PCOS is a multidisciplinary approach and involves Glycemic control with metformin Reduction of weight when applicable Oral contraceptive pills Ovulation induction with clomiphene Antiandrogens such as flutamide and spironolactone for acne and hirsutism ❑ Hyperprolactinemia induced infertility is treated with dopamine agonists such as cabergoline

❑Pelvic inflammatory disease - Identify the infecting agent and start appropriate antibiotic therapy Treat sexual partner for any STIs ❑ Adhesions- surgical correction ❑ In vitro fertilization

Unexplained infertility is a diagnosis of exclusion after semen analysis and all other tests are normal Treatment can include the following ❑ Ovulation induction with clomiphene ❑ Intrauterine insemination ❑ Invitro fertilization

Do's

• Prompt and early treatment of PID must be done to prevent infertility.
• Effective counselling must be done about male and female components of infertility.
• Educate the patient about toxic effects of nicotine, marijuana and other drugs and their impact on fertility if the patient is a known user.
• Risk of ectopic pregnancy, multiple gestations and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome must be explained.

Don'ts

• Don't ignore the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in patients undergoing ovulation induction, particularly in patients who have had PCOS.
• Don't pursue assisted reproductive technology without first correcting underlying endocrinopathy when present.

References

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