Browsing by Author "Kongrtay, Kuralay (57192926719)"

Endometriosis, a common condition in women of reproductive age, is very frequently associated with infertility. The causes of infertility in women with endometriosis range from anatomical distortions to endocrine abnormalities and immunological disturbances: a) disturbance of pelvic anatomy especially in women with severe disease; b)prostaglandin overproduction and inflammatory mediators determining a hostile peritoneal environment; c) altered endometrial receptivity; d) myometrium structure changes in adenomyosis; e) decreased ovarian reserve and oocyte quality due to the presence of endometrioma or as a consequence of the surgically related damage; and f) hormonal dysregulation with anovulation and premature luteinization. Despite the extensive and interdisciplinary investigations already conducted, all the listed pathophysiological mechanisms in infertility patients with endometriotic ovarian cyst have not always been clearly understood. Nonetheless, endometriosis significantly interferes with women's overall health and well-being, and it is also linked with a decreased ovarian reserve and adverse outcomes of infertility management procedures. Treatment strategies for endometriotic ovarian cyst in infertility patients are different, depending on a number of factors. The surgical approach remains controversial, as it has been associated with ovarian reserve impairment. Medications alone have little or no effect and should be combined with assisted reproductive technology procedures. IVF is an efficient treatment option in patients with a mild and moderate stage of the disease. Although recently published studies have shown that a combination of medical, surgical, and psychological treatment was found beneficial in patients suffering from endometriosis-related infertility, there is still a lack of consensus that this specific combination can enhance the fertility success rate. Generally, management of endometriotic ovarian cyst in infertility patients includes a surgical procedure (usually with a minimally invasive approach) and ovulation induction with intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization. Fertility preservation technologies also include oocyte or embryo freezing and ovarian tissue cryopreservation. As the management of patients with endometriotic cysts remain controversial, a multidisciplinary approach is a key factor in achieving the best outcome, along with appropriate patient counselling. © 2021 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

Approximately 15% of the world population is impacted by infertility. Recent research has shown that environmental and occupational factors have profound effects on the population's overall health and fertility status. While cigarette smoking and its component chemicals are known toxic agents affecting the quality and quantity of oocytes, other toxic substances ubiquitous in our environment appear to have toxic effects on the reproductive system at environmentally relevant levels. Certain industrial chemicals, environmental pollutants, and radiation are known to contribute to or cause infertility. Lead poisoning, for example, has long been associated with infertility in both men and women. Chemotherapy and x-ray therapy used in cancer treatment can be extremely toxic to sperm and oocytes and can cause permanent infertility. In some countries, fertility programs recommend that men who will be undergoing chemotherapy store their sperm before treatment. Similarly, oocyte retrieval before a woman's cancer treatment and freezing the oocytes or embryos for later use, is also advised. Long soaks in the bathtub or hot tub or long hours of sitting and excessive bicycling can cause the temperature in the scrotum to increase enough to impair sperm production. A febrile illness can also lead to a significant decline in sperm motility. Considering all these elements, the influence of environmental and occupational conditions on reproductive well-being has generated a considerable amount of interest among researchers. Recent studies have aimed to clarify the association and possible mechanisms between reduced fertility and exposure to environmental and occupational contaminants. This chapter summarizes the recently published, epidemiological findings referring to the impact of environmental (air pollution, heavy metals, pesticides, endocrine disruptors and other chemicals, radiation) and occupational factors on fecundity and fertility. Daily exposure to environmental and occupational hazards has negative ramifications for fertility via several sources such as biological, physical (radiation), and toxic (chemicals, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, heavy metals). Future studies are needed to better elucidate the additional associations and potential mechanisms between these environmental chemicals and fertility outcomes in men and women. © 2021 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

Infertility affects about 9% of reproductive-age couples or more than 186 million people worldwide and up to 15% of couples in the USA. Infertility is a life event that results in significant psychological stress and women with decreased fertility have been found to have elevated levels of anxiety and depression. Moreover, stress and stress-related factors have an influence on the autonomic, neuroendocrine, and immune systems. In the past, psychological stress as a causative factor of infertility has been poorly investigated, however, several recent studies have shown that lowering psychological distress is linked with a significant increase in pregnancy rate. It has also been confirmed that stress stimulates and deregulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary axis, which in turn plays a crucial role in women's reproductive functioning. There are studies that have further suggested an association between psychosocial stress and a diminished ovarian reserve and negative fertility outcomes. This chapter presents up to date information related to psychological factors and infertility, highlighting the impact of stress, anxiety, and depression on conception, impaired fertility, and infertility. Understanding the mechanisms behind the detrimental effects of psychological factors on female reproductive status is critically important knowledge for women's health care providers when screening for fertility risk factors and treating women with infertility. Women with fertility issues undergoing assisted reproductive technology procedures should be carefully evaluated for levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Following evaluation, they should be offered appropriate counselling interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of psychological factors and to increase the success rate of infertility management procedures. © 2021 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.