Patient's question:
What are the reasons for female infertility caused by cervical diseases?Doctor's answer:
1. Chronic CervicitisChronic cervicitis is a common gynecological condition that generally does not affect fertility. Normal cervical mucus protects sperm, provides energy, and serves as a storage site for sperm. The main clinical symptom is an increase in leukorrhea. Due to differences in pathogens, the scope and severity of inflammation, the amount, nature, color, and odor of leukorrhea vary. It can be creamy and mucous, sometimes yellowish and purulent. When polyps are present, bloody leukorrhea or bleeding during intercourse may occur. When inflammation spreads from the uterosacral ligaments to the pelvic cavity, symptoms such as lower back pain, sacral pain, pelvic heaviness, and dysmenorrhea may appear, worsening during menstruation, defecation, or intercourse. Examination may reveal varying degrees of cervical erosion, hypertrophy, hardness, polyps, lacerations, inversion, and glandular cysts.
2. Abnormal Cervical Mucus
The glucose and other nutrients contained in cervical mucus have a significant impact on the survival and motility of sperm as they traverse the cervix. Since sperm itself stores only a small amount of glycogen, it must rely on extracellular nutrients to meet its energy needs during its stay and passage through the female reproductive tract. Ovarian hormones regulate the secretion of cervical mucus, and its physical properties and certain chemical compositions undergo cyclical changes to facilitate sperm penetration, nourishment, and survival.