Unexplained or Unexplored Infertility? By Nicole Kerr, ND, LAc
he inability to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term is caused by a myriad of medical conditions and other contributing factors. Therefore, each case of infertility needs to be uniquely re- viewed to identify if there is a single cause, several causes, or no identifiable cause. Both partners should be evaluated, as in the U.S. about 9% of men and 11% of women in their reproductive age experience fertility problems. Evaluating the cause of infertility in only the female partner can waste months of valuable time and result in the use of inappropriate, unnecessary, and often ex- pensive procedures while during this time, the male partner could be identifying and correcting his fertility status as well. Even if there is an identifiable cause in the female, the male partner should still be evaluated.
T Infertility Evaluations of Both Partners
The following standard evaluations are performed when infertility concerns arise.
WHO Semen Analysis Reference Ranges PARAMETER
Semen volume pH
Sperm concentration Total sperm number Total motility
Vitality Sperm morphology >1.5 mL 7.2 or more
15 million/mL or more 39 million or more
>32% progressive motile,
>40% progressive and nonprogressive 58% or more live spermatozoa 4% or more
Male partner standard evaluations include:
• History: prior paternity; undescended testicles at birth; trauma to testicles; medical and surgical review; sexual dysfunction; medication, alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use.
• Examination: testicular abnormalities; varicocele; absences of vas deferens.
• Semen analysis: See chart above. Female partner standard evaluations include:
• History: prior pregnancies and outcome; medical and surgical review; sexual dysfunction; medica- tion, alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use; menstrual disturbances.
• Ovulation: urine luteinizing hormone ovulation predictor kits; mid-luteal serum progesterone.
www.NaturalNutmeg.com 25 NORMAL
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