Infertility is a disease characterized by the failure to establish a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular and unprotected sexual intercourse. It is estimated to affect between 8 and 12% of ...reproductive-aged couples worldwide. Males are found to be solely responsible for 20–30% of infertility cases but contribute to 50% of cases overall. Secondary infertility is the most common form of female infertility around the globe, often due to reproductive tract infections. The three major factors influencing the spontaneous probability of conception are the time of unwanted non-conception, the age of the female partner and the disease-related infertility. The chance of becoming spontaneously pregnant declines with the duration before conception. The fertility decline in female already starts around 25–30 years of age and the median age at last birth is 40–41 years in most studied populations experiencing natural fertility. The disease-related infertility may affect both genders or be specific to one gender. The factors affecting both genders' fertility are hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, hyperprolactinemia, disorders of ciliary function, cystic fibrosis, infections, systemic diseases and lifestyle related factors/diseases. Premature ovarian insufficiency, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids and endometrial polyps may play a role in female infertility. Male infertility may be due to testicular and post-testicular deficiencies. Semen decline that has been observed over the years, endocrine disrupting chemicals and consanguinity are other factors that may be involved.
•8–12% of reproductive-aged couples worldwide suffer from infertility.•Males contribute to 50% of infertility cases.•The fertility decline in female already starts around 25–30 years.•Some modifiable lifestyle factors can affect fertility.
The worldwide upward trend in obesity has been dramatic, now affecting more than 20% of American women of reproductive age. Obesity is associated with many adverse maternal and fetal effects ...prenatally, but it also exerts a negative influence on female fertility. Obese women are more likely to have ovulatory dysfunction due to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome who are also obese demonstrate a more severe metabolic and reproductive phenotype. Obese women have reduced fecundity even when eumenorrheic and demonstrate poorer outcomes with the use of in vitro fertilization. Obesity appears to affect the oocyte and the preimplantation embryo, with disrupted meiotic spindle formation and mitochondrial dynamics. Excess free fatty acids may have a toxic effect in reproductive tissues, leading to cellular damage and a chronic low-grade inflammatory state. Altered levels of adipokines, such as leptin, in the obese state can affect steroidogenesis and directly affect the developing embryo. The endometrium is also susceptible, with evidence of impaired stromal decidualization in obese women. This may explain subfecundity due to impaired receptivity, and may lead to placental abnormalities as manifested by higher rates of miscarriage, stillbirth, and preeclampsia in the obese population. Many interventions have been explored to mitigate the effect of obesity on infertility, including weight loss, physical activity, dietary factors, and bariatric surgery. These data are largely mixed, with few high quality studies to guide us. As we improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of obesity in human reproduction we hope to identify novel treatment strategies.
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a rare but important cause of ovarian hormone deficiency and infertility in women. In addition to causing infertility, POI is associated with multiple health ...risks, including bothersome menopausal symptoms, decreased bone density and increased risk of fractures, early progression of cardiovascular disease, psychologic impact that may include depression, anxiety, and decreased perceived psychosocial support, potential early decline in cognition, and dry eye syndrome. Appropriate hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to replace premenopausal levels of ovarian sex steroids is paramount to increasing quality of life for women with POI and ameliorating associated health risks. In this review, we discuss POI and complications associated with this disorder, as well as safe and effective HRT options. To decrease morbidity associated with POI, we recommend using HRT formulations that most closely mimic normal ovarian hormone production and continuing HRT until the normal age of natural menopause, ∼50 years. We address special populations of women with POI, including women with Turner syndrome, women with increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer, women approaching the age of natural menopause, and breastfeeding women.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, while typically effective for overcoming low or absent fertilization in couples with a clear abnormality of semen parameters, is frequently used in combination with ...assisted reproductive technologies for other etiologies of infertility in the presence of semen parameters that meet the World Health Organization 2010 normative reference values. This committee opinion provides a critical review of the literature, where available, to identify situations where this may or may not be of benefit. This document replaces the previously published document of the same name, last published in 2012 (Fertil Steril 2012;98:1395-9).
Recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the impact of cytotoxic drugs on the ovary have opened up new directions for the protection of the ovary from chemotherapy-induced ...damage. These advances have spurred the investigation of pharmacological agents to prevent ovarian damage at the time of treatment. Prevention of ovarian damage and follicle loss would provide significant advantages over existing fertility preservation techniques. This manuscript reviews new methods for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage, including agents that act on the PI3K/PTEN/Akt follicle activation pathway, apoptotic pathways, the vascular system, and other potential methods of reducing chemotherapy-induced ovotoxicity.
Abstract
Context
Obesity is responsible for an increased risk of sub-fecundity and infertility. Obese women show poorer reproductive outcomes regardless of the mode of conception, and higher body ...mass index (BMI) is associated with poorer fertility prognosis. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the leading causes of infertility, and many women with PCOS are also overweight or obese.
Evidence Acquisition
The aim of the present narrative review is to describe the mechanisms responsible for the development of infertility and PCOS in women with obesity/overweight, with a focus on the emerging role of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) as a therapeutic option for obese women with PCOS.
Evidence synthesis
Weight reduction represents the most significant factor affecting fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Current experimental and clinical evidence suggests the presence of an underlying pathophysiological link between obesity, GLP-1 kinetic alterations, and PCOS pathogenesis. Based on the positive results in patients affected by obesity, with or without diabetes, the administration of GLP-1 RA (mainly liraglutide) alone or in combination with metformin has been investigated in women with obesity and PCOS. Several studies demonstrated significant weight loss and testosterone reduction, with mixed results relative to improvements in insulin resistance parameters and menstrual patterns.
Conclusions
The weight loss effects of GLP-1 RA offer a unique opportunity to expand the treatment options available to PCOS patients.
Patients preparing to undergo gonadotoxic medical therapy, radiation therapy, or gonadectomy should be provided with prompt counseling regarding available options for fertility preservation for ...iatrogenic infertility. Fertility preservation can best be provided by comprehensive programs designed and equipped to confront the unique challenges facing these patients. This document replaces the document with a similar name, last published in 2013.
The purpose of this ASRM Practice Committee report is to provide clinicians with principles and strategies for the evaluation and treatment of couples with infertility associated with obesity. This ...revised document replaces the Practice Committee document titled, "Obesity and reproduction: an educational bulletin," last published in 2008 (Fertil Steril 2008;90:S21-9).
Diagnosis and Management of Infertility: A Review Carson, Sandra Ann; Kallen, Amanda N
JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association,
2021-Jul-06, Letnik:
326, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
In the US, approximately 12.7% of reproductive age women seek treatment for infertility each year. This review summarizes current evidence regarding diagnosis and treatment of infertility.
...Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Approximately 85% of infertile couples have an identifiable cause. The most common causes of infertility are ovulatory dysfunction, male factor infertility, and tubal disease. The remaining 15% of infertile couples have "unexplained infertility." Lifestyle and environmental factors, such as smoking and obesity, can adversely affect fertility. Ovulatory disorders account for approximately 25% of infertility diagnoses; 70% of women with anovulation have polycystic ovary syndrome. Infertility can also be a marker of an underlying chronic disease associated with infertility. Clomiphene citrate, aromatase inhibitors such as letrozole, and gonadotropins are used to induce ovulation or for ovarian stimulation during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Adverse effects of gonadotropins include multiple pregnancy (up to 36% of cycles, depending on specific therapy) and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (1%-5% of cycles), consisting of ascites, electrolyte imbalance, and hypercoagulability. For individuals presenting with anovulation, ovulation induction with timed intercourse is often the appropriate initial treatment choice. For couples with unexplained infertility, endometriosis, or mild male factor infertility, an initial 3 to 4 cycles of ovarian stimulation may be pursued; IVF should be considered if these approaches do not result in pregnancy. Because female fecundity declines with age, this factor should guide decision-making. Immediate IVF may be considered as a first-line treatment strategy in women older than 38 to 40 years. IVF is also indicated in cases of severe male factor infertility or untreated bilateral tubal factor.
Approximately 1 in 8 women aged 15 to 49 years receive infertility services. Although success rates vary by age and diagnosis, accurate diagnosis and effective therapy along with shared decision-making can facilitate achievement of fertility goals in many couples treated for infertility.
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