How Much Infertility Is Genetic

Numerous studies of infertility clearly demonstrate the complexity of the problem. Up to 15% of couples seek treatment for low fertility in IVF clinics, and the shares of female and male infertility are almost equal. Considering genetic mutations as a reason for infertility, severe forms of male infertility are 30-50 genetically predetermined, while female infertility is caused by genetic issues in 10% of the cases.

Unlike egg retrieval, insertion of embryos is painless and does not require anesthesia.

How Genetic Factors Can Affect Fertility

NGC Clinic conducts genetic studies that provide detailed information about the causes affecting the fertility of a particular couple. A detailed study of family history helps to choose the right treatment methods. Both male and female infertility can be successfully overcome using the advanced methods of assisted reproductive technologies.

Genetic counseling and testing plays an important role in the diagnostics of infertility causes and its effective treatment.

Cause	Description	Examples
Numerical chromosomal abnormalities	Chromosomal abnormalities are one of the primary, most frequent causes of recurrent pregnancy loss or infertility (reproductive failure in adults).	Men with Klinefelter syndrome, women with Turner syndrome.
Structural abnormality of chromosomes	Abnormal chromosome structure causes infertility and frequent miscarriages.	Inversion, Translocation.
Gene mutation	Leads to the development of specific hereditary diseases. Negatively affects the functioning of the reproductive organs and hormonal balance.	Syndrome variant cystic fibrosis, Early ovarian failure, Congenital absence of the vas deferens.
Genetic disorder	High risks of transmitting hereditary diseases to offspring. Negatively affects the ability to conceive a child naturally.	Sickle cell anemia, Tay-Sachs disease.
Mitochondrial diseases	Insufficient cellular energy production. Reduced egg quality and embryo viability.	Mitochondrial myopathy.

Important. Fertility doctors consider chromosomal abnormalities to be one of the main genetic factors that negatively affect male or female fertility. To exclude any risks of transmitting genetic disorders, undergo genetic testing at the NGC clinic.

Genetic causes of female infertility

There are many reasons that affect the development of female infertility.

Structural changes in the reproductive system.
Age-related changes.
Lack of normal ovulation.
Progression of endometriosis.
Excess weight.
Frequent treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.

Among the genetic causes of female infertility, several can be distinguished. The table below shows what prevents a woman from getting pregnant and carrying a pregnancy to full term.

Condition	Description
Turner syndrome	There are one or two copies of the X chromosome at all or only a partial copy. This affects the quality of the ovaries.
X-chromosome failure in premature ovarian insufficiency	Women with a fragile X syndrome have a higher risk of premature ovarian failure. The ovaries stop working normally much earlier than 40 years. In addition to a sharp decrease in fertility, the risk of having mentally retarded children increases.
Presence of congenital ovarian hyperplasia	In women, genetic changes in the functioning of the adrenal glands often become the primary cause of hormonal imbalance and menstrual cycle failures. Fertility worsens.
Chromosomal structure rearrangement	People with chromosomal rearrangements have a sharply increased risk of transmitting an amount of chromosomal material that critically deviates from the norm. The chances of normal conception are reduced, the risk of miscarriages increases. The chances of having children with physical or mental disabilities increase.

During the consultation, you need to tell them about your problems as accurately and truthfully as possible. The more primary information the reproductive doctor has, the easier and faster he will find a solution to the problem.

Note. Approximately 10% of women who seek help from reproductive centers due to infertility problems have genetic abnormalities. At the NGC clinic, you can get a consultation, undergo genetic testing, and become a participant in the IVF program.

Genetic Causes of Male Infertility

Male infertility is a consequence of genetic abnormalities in 50% of all cases. Among the main reasons for the decline in fertility and the need to use IVF, we note several main ones:

a decrease in the amount of sperm produced;
blockage of the ducts through which sperm is delivered;
chronic diseases that negatively affect fertility;
injuries to the genitals;
an unhealthy lifestyle;
alcoholism or drug addiction;
psychological factors;
depression or various other mental health problems.

We are highlighting several main genetic causes of male infertility below.

Condition	Description
Klinefelter syndrome	Men with this genetic condition have an extra X chromosome. Therefore, testosterone production decreases. Sperm is produced in small quantities or not at all by the body.
Kallmann syndrome	The body does not produce hormones in the required quantities that affect normal sexual development. Fertility decreases, infertility develops.
Cystic fibrosis	It is inherited and has a negative impact on the digestive tract, lungs, and fertility. In the male body, changes occur in the vas deferens. Even with a sufficient amount of sperm produced, it cannot be delivered to its destination during sexual intercourse.
Y-chromosome microdeletion	In the absence of certain parts of the Y chromosome responsible for the production and normal development of sperm, partial or zero sperm production is possible.
Chromosomal rearrangement	In the presence of chromosomal rearrangement, the risks of transferring critically larger or smaller amounts of chromosomal materials increase. This negatively affects the ability to become pregnant and carry the fetus to term. The risks of having children with mental disabilities or congenital defects increase.

An accurate assessment of anamnesis and family history, and additional gene testing will increase the chances of successful participation in IVF.

Please note. Having a child is a responsible decision that requires careful preparation. It is better to undergo genetic testing to eliminate possible risks. At the NGC clinic, experienced reproductive doctors will provide any assistance and consult on all issues.

Genetic testing and diagnosis

If a woman under 35 years of age with a normal sex life and regular sexual intercourse is unable to get pregnant in 6 months, then there is a suspicion of infertility and you need to contact the reproductive center. Women over 35 have fertility problems if they cannot get pregnant within 6 months. In any case, you should consult with experienced doctors at the NGC reproductive center. The clinic staff is attentive to the requests of each visitor and is always ready to help.

A thorough anamnesis is collected, genetic screening is carried out, all necessary tests are taken. If necessary, an ultrasound is done. The more data obtained, the easier it is to fight infertility by choosing the right method. The causes of infertility can be different. Often one of the partners has fertility problems and the other is completely healthy, and sometimes both need treatment and painstaking work of reproductive specialists. For a specific genetic testing to be recommended, a careful study of the patient's history is required.

Female

Even if you are sure that there are no genetic abnormalities, but you cannot conceive a child, it is better to undergo additional examination. This will help you successfully use the IVF program.

Preconception expanded carrier screening. Saliva, blood, and a smear of the mucous membrane are examined. The patient's DNA is analyzed for genetic abnormalities, in particular, cystic fibrosis and SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). The analysis makes it possible to accurately determine the number of genetic abnormalities that negatively affect fertility. Screening helps to identify couples and individuals at risk of having a child with genetic diseases.
Karyotype. A blood test determines the number and structure of chromosomes. Using a karyotype, specialists determine the presence of chromosomal abnormalities (i.e., associated with Turner and Down syndromes).

Additional costs are worth them, since it is easier for the doctor to determine the underlying cause of infertility.

Male

The fight against infertility is a process that requires careful and meticulous study of all existing root causes.

Preconception expanded carrier screening. Determination of the presence of the cystic fibrosis gene mutation. DNA analysis of saliva, mucous smear, blood helps the doctor determine what genetic abnormalities are present. Screening with a high probability determines genetic abnormalities that can be passed on to the future child or negatively affect fertility.
Karyotype. The structure of chromosomes and whether there are any abnormalities are determined by the blood donated by the patient. The presence of chromosomal rearrangements and chromosomal abnormality - Klinefelter syndrome is determined.
Determination of microdeletions of Y chromosomes. The absence of areas in the Y chromosomes responsible for normal development, production of active spermatozoa is revealed.

The doctor offers additional studies based on personal or family medical history when fighting infertility. You can learn more about gene testing by calling the NGC clinic or leaving a request on the website. The administrator will call you back shortly, answer all your questions, and make an appointment with a reproductive specialist.

Treatment options and management

The main thing when faced with infertility problems is not to panic. Modern medicine can solve complex problems as effectively as possible. Keep in mind that there is no infertility gene. If your parents had fertility problems, this does not mean that they will be passed on to you. At the same time, some genetic diseases are inherited and in order for them not to interfere with conception and bearing a fetus, it is necessary to conduct genetic testing. After that, the doctor chooses a method for combating infertility. There are factors affecting fertility that are not inherited. But which must be dealt with if they interfere with conception.

Poor egg quality.
Small reserve of eggs.
Damage or blockage of the fallopian tubes.
Poor sperm quality.
Low sperm activity.
Blockage of the channels that deliver sperm during intercourse.

Keep in mind. Infertility problems can be caused by trivial things. Poor nutrition, unhealthy lifestyle, constant stress and depression. To understand the situation in detail and understand why you cannot conceive or carry a child, contact the fertility center. The NGC Clinic has all the necessary resources to cope with any fertility problem, conduct IVF, and do a genetic test.

With polycystic ovary syndrome, it is not necessarily that it was a consequence of inherited genetic changes in the parents. Often, misbalanced diets or unhealthy lifestyle choices cause an onset of this disease.
Male fertility is most often determined not by hereditary diseases, but by the impact of the environment, lifestyle, or constant stress. Therefore, the quality of sperm and sperm activity decrease.

In any case, before starting infertility treatment, it is necessary to collect a thorough anamnesis. The more data the doctor receives, the more effective the IVF cycle will be. Use the services of proven reproduction centers with extensive experience and an impeccable reputation. The NGC Clinic will help you overcome infertility and give birth to a healthy child.

Summing up

If you are faced with fertility problems, frequent miscarriages, the presence of genetic diseases that you think can be passed on to the baby or affect conception, do not panic. Contact the NGC Clinic, where experienced reproductive doctors will conduct a comprehensive examination and select a treatment program. Specialists will figure out what was the root cause of infertility, and genetic testing will show whether the patient has changes in genes or chromosomes that negatively affect the functioning of the reproductive organs.

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FAQs

What percentage of infertility cases are caused by genetic factors?

Statistics say that up to 50% of male and approximately 10% of female infertility are caused by genetic abnormalities. These can be gene-specific or chromosomal abnormalities.

Can genetic causes of infertility be treated?

Genetic infertility is incurable. But this is not a sentence saying that a couple cannot have children. Modern medicine works wonders. The NGC clinic will definitely help and do everything so that the couple can become happy parents.

Should all couples struggling with infertility undergo genetic testing?

Couples struggling to conceive should visit a fertility specialist first. Based on the patient’s history, review of past IVF attempts and embryo development, it may be recommended to consult a geneticist.

Can lifestyle changes overcome a genetic predisposition to infertility?

Changing your lifestyle will not help you cope with genetic diseases that affect fertility. However, a healthy lifestyle is a predictor of a successful IVF cycle or other treatment chosen at the reproductive center.

If I have a genetic disease that affects fertility, will my children inherit it?

It is not necessary that children will inherit their parents' health problems. However, it is better to exclude such a danger by doing a genetic test and using the services of the NGC reproductive clinic.