It is by the virtue of nature that a living being is capable of giving birth to its offspring; however, there might be conditions when a living being is not able to naturally reproduce its own kind. This condition is specifically termed as infertility. It not only occurs in humans but also in plants and animals. In human beings, a couple is likely to experience infertility if the conception did not take place even after having unprotected sexual intercourse for more than 12 months.

The condition of infertility can arise due to many reasons in the case of human beings. These factors can be derived from both men and women and the lifestyle being led. Diminished sexual desires, changing lifestyle, problems in the reproductive organs, etc. are common causes of infertility.

Infertility has become a common problem for women lately; as many as 10% of women are trying to cope up with this. The age group affected by this condition generally ranges between 18 and 45 years.

It can be estimated that around 33% of men and women suffer from infertility. There are treatments available for treating the condition. However, in case these treatments fail, there are artificial techniques available as well that can help a woman to conceive.

Causes of infertility
Since both men and women are affected by infertility, there is more than one reason behind this. They have been listed as follows:

For men:

• A low sperm count is one of the factors contributing to infertility. Usually, a count below 15 million is considered inadequate, that could contribute to infertility.
• Even low sperm mobility is a factor. If the sperm is unable to swim and reach the egg, it will not be able to fuse and hence, the couple will not be able to conceive.
• Overmedication can often increase the risk of infertility. Chemotherapy, radiation, or drugs increase the rate of infertility.
• Excessive alcohol consumption also lowers male fertility as it decreases the sperm count.

For women:

• With age, a woman loses her fertility rate, usually after 30. Therefore, conceiving becomes difficult after she crosses that age.
• Even excessive smoking and alcohol consumption decreases the chances of getting pregnant. Passive smoking can also lead to infertility sometimes.
• Being obese or overweight can also increase infertility.
• Lack of proper diet leads to weight loss, deficiency in folic acid, iron, and vitamins; these can greatly contribute to infertility.

Symptoms of infertility
The first sign of infertility is not getting pregnant; however, some other signs may also occur. Although those signs can be confused with being pregnant, it is also very important to consider other symptoms in order to identify whether an individual is pregnant or not.

In the case of women, irregular menstrual cycles is a prominent symptom of infertility. Sometimes, they may get irregular periods or even no periods at all. The time period between the ovulation cycles may differ every month. A woman may also experience painful periods accompanied by cramps.

In the case of men, smaller and firm testicles are likely to be a symptom of infertility. A man might also have problems like erectile dysfunction and ejaculation problems which could be considered as a sign of infertility.

Treatment for infertility
The cause of infertility should be assessed before opting for a treatment. In case any tissue is blocking the vas deferens (in men) or the fallopian tubes (in women), then surgery can be done to remove the blockage. This will help in tackling infertility.

Fertility drugs and other hormones could also be injected in both men and women as per the requirements. Sometimes, counseling can also be done to talk about problems regarding ejaculation and erection. Even antibiotics can help in treating infertility caused due to infections in reproductive organs.