UTERUS OR CERVICAL CAUSES
Several uterine or cervical causes can impact fertility by interfering with implantation or the likelihood of miscarriage
Benign polyps or tumours
Endometriosis scarring or inflammation within the uterus can disrupt implantation
Uterine abnormalities present from birth
(eg. Abnormally shaped uterus)
Cervical stenosis (cervical narrowing)
Sometimes the cervix can’t produce the best mucus to allow the sperm to travel into the uterus
Sometimes, the causes of infertility is never found. It is possible that a combination of minor factors in both partners can cause unexplained fertility problems, although it can be frustrating not to have a direct answer for this, most of the time, it resolves on its own.
Compiled by Sr Lindi and Sr Tori
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PLANNING TO START A FAMILY SOON?
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS:
Preparation for pregnancy, ideally 6-12 months
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• before deciding to start a family
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Adopt a positive frame of mind.
• Make time for your health and wellness and create a nourishing lifestyle.
Build your nutrition
Choose foods with a high nutrient value,
• preferably organic foods.
Try to eat 10 servings of fruit and vegetables every day. These should be from all the colour groups giving you important phy-
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• tonutrients and antioxidants.
Avoid sugar
Avoid processed foods
Avoid excess salt
Try to choose animal products that are organic, grain fed, pasture raised or free range
Always choose fresh foods rather than frozen or pre-packaged
Fish is very healthy but avoid fish with high levels of mercury
Supplementation
Choose a good quality, well researched pre-natal vitamins that contain iron, folic acid and a variety of general vitamins
*Be mindful of environmental toxins and be careful with household products and skin and hair products. Try to switch to natural products where you can
Take ‘Time out’
Give yourself time to relax for at least 30 minutes every day
Think about starting yoga class, doing deep breathing exercises or meditation
This is a very exciting time in your life.
Keep a journal, be kind to yourself and we wish you well!!
1 Natalia Terrace/Maytime
Charles Way Kloof
Phone: 031 7640311 Fax: 031 7646201
Email: natroadpharmacy@cks.co.za www.nationalroadpharm.co.za

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
The reproductive system is a collection of organs that work together for the purpose of producing new life.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Two major parts, the Testes and the Penis.
THE TESTES: where sperm are produced. Having the testes outside of the body facilitates temperature regulation of the sperm – which require specific temperature to survive.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Consists of the Vagina and Uterus: the receptacle of sperm
Ovaries: produces the females’ ova
The vagina is attached to the uterus through the cervix, the fallopian tubes connect the uterus to the ovaries. In response to the hormonal changes, one ovum or egg (or more in case of multiple births) is released and sent down the fallopian tube during ovulation. If not fertilized, this egg is eliminated as a result of menstruation.
Fertilization of the ovum with the sperm occurs only at the ampullary-isthimic junction, which is why intercourse does not always result in pregnancy.
FERTILIZATION
At the time of conception, the ovum meets with spermatozoon, where the sperm may penetrate and merge with the egg, resulting in fertilization while the fertilization usually occurs in the oviducts, it can also happen in the uterus itself. The egg then becomes implanted in the lining of the uterus, where it begins the processes of embryogenesis and morphogenesis.
INFERTILITY
Defined as a couples’ inability to conceive after one year of regular intercourse.
IN A MALE
Infertility in men is a condition where they produce no sperm cells (azoospermia);
Too few sperm cells (oligospemia); or
Abnormal sperm cells or die before they reach the egg
In rare cases infertility in men can be a inherited condition such as cystic fibrosis or chromosomal abnormalities
Men can also experience epididymitis, which is inflammation of the epidymis, the tube that lies on and around each testicle and plays a role in the transportation, storage and maturation of sperm cells
Hypogonadism a condition in which the testicles do not produce enough testosterone.
IN WOMEN
Infertility is defines as a disorder of the reproductive system that hinders the body’s ability to ovulate, conceive or carry an infant to term.
OVULATION DISORDERS
Meaning you ovulate infrequently or not at all, this can be caused by flaws in the regulation of the reproductive hormones by the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland or by problems in the ovary itself
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Hypothalmic dysfunction
- Premature ovarian syndrome
- Too much prolactin
DAMAGE TO THE FALLOPIAN TUBES
When the fallopian tubes become blocked or damaged, they keep sperm from getting to the egg or block the passage of the fertilized egg into the uterus.
Causes of fallopian tube damage or blockage may include
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Previous abdominal surgery
- Pelvic tuberculosis
ENDOMETRIOSIS
It occurs when tissue that normally grows in the uterus, implants and grows in other locations. This extra tissue (and the surgical removal of it) can cause scar tissue that can obstruct the tube and keep the egg and sperm from uniting. It can also affect the lining of the uterus, disrupting implantation of the fertilized egg.