REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
MEN AND women become infertile for many reasons, some physiological, hormonal and even psychological, explained Dr. Joseph Frederick. A man may become infertile for example, if he has retrograde ejaculation (the semen ends up in the bladder and urine); undescended testicles (one or both testes are inside the ab-domen); develops varicose veins in the spermatic veins leading from the testicles or develops an inflammation of the prostate gland. Many of these conditions result in low or no sperm count.
Women become infertile for many reasons including diseases of the fallopian tubes (some women have had their two fallopian tubes removed as a result of two ectopic pregnancies and are unable to become pregnant); endometriosis; polycystic ovarian syndrome; pelvic inflammatory disease; ovulation and hormonal disorders; and fibroid tumours, the doctor explained.
Two healthy sets of organs and intact hormonal systems are necessary for conception to take place. The doctor explains that the intricate and complex reproductive pro-cesses of the couple must be in some kind of synchrony for conception. Fortunately most couples achieve this and are able to conceive and give birth.
Five hormones are critical in female reproduction for conception to take place. These are gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) released by the hypothalamus in the brain; follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) which is produced by the pituitary gland when it is stimulated by GnRH; luteinising hormone (LH and then the ovaries produce oestrogen and progesterone.
Fertilisation occurs when a sperm penetrates the egg after its descent into the fallopian tube. Various studies, say conception is most likely to occur two days before ovulation or on the day of ovulation.
The man's reproductive system also depends on the hormones FSH and LH. FSH maintains sperm production and LH stimulates the production of the male hormone testosterone. Both of these functions occur in the testes.
