Patient's question:
Is there a direct relationship between endocrine disorders and infertility? When is the most appropriate time to check for endocrine issues? Thank you!Doctor's answer:
Related.The main factors or causes of female infertility can be summarized as follows:
① Ovulatory dysfunction, characterized by anovulation during the menstrual cycle, or ovulation with inadequate corpus luteum function after ovulation.
② Immunological factors: Refers to the presence of antisperm antibodies in the female reproductive tract or serum, which can cause sperm to lose vitality or die, leading to infertility. Additionally, some infertile women have serum containing antibodies-like substances against their own oocyte zona pellucida, which can hinder sperm penetration and fertilization, also causing infertility.
③ Congenital abnormalities or acquired diseases of the reproductive organs, which obstruct the patency and function of the reproductive tract from the vulva to the fallopian tubes, hindering the meeting of sperm and eggs, leading to infertility.
④ Infertility caused by sexual dysfunction, lack of sexual knowledge, systemic diseases, and unknown factors accounts for about one-third of the causes of infertility.
External Factors:
Environmental pollution: In addition to water, air, and food pollution affecting reproductive function, there are also electric, magnetic, radiation, and noise pollution, as well as microwave, infrared, ultraviolet, ultrasonic, X-ray, and gamma-ray pollution.
Toxic and harmful substances: Such as heavy metals like aluminum, cobalt, and lead, as well as gossypol, insecticides, herbicides, and preservatives, can all damage testicular spermatogenesis.
Manganese can cause ovulation failure in 60% of affected women, while pesticides like DDT, DDE, DDD, aldrin, and hexachlorobenzene can disrupt estrogen metabolism, leading to infertility. Benzene, butyl compounds, ethane, BHC, hydrocarbons, polymers, and phthalocyanine dyes can reduce estrogen secretion, affecting fertility.
Malnutrition, deficiencies in trace elements and vitamins can all lead to infertility. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause poor sperm cell development; vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to atrophy of the seminiferous tubules in the testes, a reduction in mature sperm, and a decrease in mature follicles; zinc deficiency can cause oligospermia, asthenospermia, and azoospermia; and copper deficiency can impair fallopian tube function, leading to infertility.