Fertility can be impaired by factors in the man or the woman or both partners

Fertility can be impaired by factors in the man or the woman or both partners. Causes include ovulatory disorder, abnormal semen, blockage of the fallopian tubes, endometriosis, and unexplained infertility.168 The majority of cases of infertility involve the female, caused in part by the complexity of the female reproductive cycle and tract. Ovulatory factors account for 40% of female infertility.167 Regular ovulation occurs as a result of a functioning hypothalamic/pituitary axis. Ovulation can be disrupted by a wide variety of factors, including imbalances in a diversity of hormones (e.g., TSH, estrogen, progesterone), chronic conditions, and stress. Age is a major factor in female fertility because the regularity of ovulation and the quality of ova decrease with age (Fig. 25.26). Abnormalities of the reproductive tract, including tubal pathologies, cause another 20% of cases of infertility.167 Endometriosis and adhesions and scarring from PID are major contributors to blockages within the female reproductive tract. The remaining 20% of female infertility is caused by rare conditions or unknown etiology.

Find an article on Cervical Cancer, Leiomyomas (commonly called myomas or uterine fibroids), endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. These are examples of an alteration of the genital tract that can lead to infertility. Summarize the article in one to two paragraphs. Discuss any potential treatments. What is the potential psychosocial impact for the client with the condition?