Sexually Transmitted Diseases - I. I. Mavrov 2005

Infertility

Infertility is the inability of a mature Organism to produce offspring. In a broader sense, it is defined as the inability to bear viable children. Both female and Male infertility are distinguished. Having children from a previous marriage while lacking them in the current union may indicate that one of the partners has lower fertility, though this does not rule out relative infertility in both partners or their physiological incompatibility.

There are several factors that determine normal fertility (reproductive capacity). One of them is ensuring an adequate frequency, rhythm, and technique of sexual intercourse for conception. It is generally accepted that, on average, two acts of intercourse per week without contraceptives are sufficient for a married couple to achieve Pregnancy within 3–6 months. However, the speed at which conception is achieved is directly proportional to the frequency and rhythm of intercourse, provided the latter ranges from 1 to 4 or more times per week.

Occasionally, conception is also influenced by specific details of sexual life. For instance, unsuitable creams are frequently used as vaginal lubricants prior to intercourse. While such products typically lack contraceptive effects, they can nevertheless act as a barrier to conception in couples with low baseline fertility. Reduced fertility may also stem from premature ejaculation or interrupted intercourse.

Special fertility indicators include the general fertility rate, which is The ratio of annual live births to the total number of women aged 15 to 49, expressed in per mille (%o). Natality is significantly influenced by various factors—social, economic, legal, ethnic, geographical, biological, and others. According to various authors (R. K. Zotina, 1977; A. A. Petrakov, 1978; V. I. Hryshchenko, 1988, etc.), the general fertility rate varies between urban and rural areas. Its highest values are observed in the Central Asian regions, while the lowest are found in Ukraine and Russia.

According to several authors (E. T. Mykhailenko et al., 1979; V. I. Hryshchenko, 1988, etc.), approximately 10–15% of all marriages are infertile. In 40–50% of such cases, the cause is Pathology of the Reproductive System in either the husband or the wife, and less frequently (5–10% of cases) in both. In 60–80% of such couples, the cause of infertility is related to the woman's health status, while in 30–40% it is due to male pathology (K. B. Akunts et al., 1978; I. F. Yunda et al., 1990, etc.).

Data from WHO experts and numerous other sources indicate that over recent decades, countries with high living standards have experienced a rise in infertile marriages alongside low birth rates. Consequently, the issue of infertility holds not only medical significance but also profound social and national importance.

Within the healthcare system, Structure/149.html">The problem of infertile marriage remains one of the most challenging. Despite the long-standing attention of physicians to infertility and its causes, many aspects of this field remain unexplored today. The Treatment of infertile men does not always yield the expected results. In recent years, Perspectives on infertility have undergone significant shifts, giving rise to new theories and approaches in its study and treatment. For instance, Artificial Insemination is already widely practiced. In vitro Fertilization and laboratory embryo cultivation, followed by implantation into the Uterus of an infertile woman, are successfully applied. These advancements have been made possible by breakthroughs in molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, Histology, radiology, cryobiology, and other sciences.

The diverse forms of infertility necessitate the involvement of not only gynecologists and urologists, but also specialists from other medical fields. It is becoming evident that the efficacy of therapeutic and preventive measures will largely depend on the coordinated efforts of a broad range of biomedical specialists.