Infertility and Sterility: What’s the Difference?

Infertility and Sterility: Generally, infertility and sterility are two terms that most people use interchangeably. However, these terms have a thin line of difference in the medical aspect. Both infertility and sterility involve the lack of a full-term pregnancy, i.e. preventing a couple from having a child naturally.

As a matter of fact, many people are bewildered as to whether both of those are two separate concepts or not.

Infertility and Sterility are Not the Same – Here’s Why 

The terms sterility and infertility are not the same, so they are different concepts. According to World Health Organization (WHO), sterility and infertility aren’t exact, even though while discussing fertility concerns, both are used synonymously. While infertility is an incapability to complete an entire term of pregnancy and give birth to a healthy child, sterility is the inability to conceive.

There is no fertilisation in cases of sterility, whereas in infertility, the embryo is produced, and there might be early embryogenesis growth, though birth does not happen. However, because of the difficulty that a couple faces in attaining pregnancy and birth, both the concepts are commonly considered the same.

You cannot consider the couple that is unable to conceive same as the couple that has no difficulty conceiving but then finds out that the pregnancy ended in a miscarriage and did not continue to full term.

Sterility

The inability to have children due to problems with fertilisation, which means the inability of the sperm and egg combining to form the embryo, is regarded as sterility. Sterility can occur due to a variety of reasons that affect both men and women.

Other factors, in addition to the reasons that end up causing male and/or female sterility, can cause problems in obtaining pregnancy. In these cases, sterility of questionable origin is said to prevail.

Infertility

Contrastingly, infertility implies the inability to continue a pregnancy to its term, which signifies the absence of birth of a child even though the conception has taken place. For infertility, even if fertilization takes place, various aspects can revise the proper development of pregnancy.

For the couple having the problems or risk of infertility, the egg and sperm come into contact, and the embryo develops. Nevertheless, the outcome will not be the birth of the baby.

When is there a Problem with Fertility?

When one year of sexual intercourse without preventive measures of birth control has not yet led to pregnancy, it can be considered a fertility issue. This period is relatively short when the female is between the age of 35 and 40, and intervention shall not be delayed if the woman is over 40.

Furthermore, if the couple has a medical history of gynaecological or andrological issues, a study must be performed quickly because fertility is often a fight for survival.

When is there a Problem with Infertility?

When there have been three or more than three pregnancy losses occurred, then it’s a typical course to consider infertility. In today’s time, where pregnancy loss leads to a huge impact emotionally, it’s advisable to consider taking analysis and infertility treatment after two pregnancy losses.

In cases where there is a medical history of reproduction issues, the process will begin immediately, as it does in cases of sterility.

Difference Between Primary and Secondary Sterility:

There are two types of sterility – primary and secondary sterility. Primary sterility prevails when the couple has never become pregnant. Secondary sterility is when the problem emerges after the first successful pregnancy, whereas no children take birth thereafter.

Difference Between Primary and Secondary Infertility:

There are two types of infertility- primary and secondary infertility. Primary infertility describes a scenario where no pregnancy has been successfully carried to term. Secondary infertility is the name used to explain miscarriages that occurs after a successful pregnancy.

In the Case of Men and Women: 

For Women,

Female Sterility – This means when pregnancy fails due to issues with the female reproductive system. This could be a clinical condition that affects the fallopian tubes, uterus, or ovaries’ functioning. Endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, or the woman’s advanced ages are all possible reasons for female sterility.

Female Infertility – This means when a woman has experienced recurrent miscarriages and is not able to give birth. Because of chromosomal (karyotype) abnormalities in the embryo, the causes can be chromosomal (karyotype abnormalities), uterine, blood (thrombophilia), or embryonic. The chromosomal abnormalities occur more often in older women.

For Men,

Male Sterility – The sterility in males arises when semen issues do not let pregnancy occur, and there are various reasons for the same. The male could be suffering from erectile dysfunction or have a genital tract condition that controls semen from coming back to the vagina during coitus. The male can also have a low-quality or insufficient sperm count. Technological advancements like IVI can fertilise eggs with highly tiny amounts of sperm.

Male Infertility: In men, the only cause of infertility is a structural chromosomal abnormality, which can be detected using karyotyping.

Female Sterility and Infertility – Causes

A good per cent of cases where problems to achieve a pregnancy is due to sterility or infertility issues in women. The most common factors for female sterility are stated below. However, keep in mind that these factors can be a reason for infertility too. Thus, couples face failure to achieve a full-term pregnancy.

• Changes in fallopian tubes make it tough for the egg and sperm to meet.
• Cervical factors, either by functional or anatomical changes of the cervical canal inhibit the entry of the sperm. This can happen as a result of polyps, endometriosis, or surgery.
• Because uterine factors such as fibroids, abnormalities or endometrial changes; lead to a problem in the coming together of fertilized eggs or sperms. Such factors can often lead to miscarriage.
• Usually due to endocrine system malfunction, either by accident or owing to an overabundance of one of the hormones that control reproductive function. When this happens, the woman experiences anovulation, ovarian failure, early menopause, and other symptoms. The ovarian factor also refers to oocyte quality issues.

Besides these, the factors that stop pregnancy from being taken to a full-term are:

• Ectopic Pregnancy – The embryo implants in the outer side of the uterine cavity, and that prevents normal child development.
• Failure of Implantation – The embryo develops but is unable to implant in the endometrium.
• Miscarriage – Miscarriage occurs when the development of the foetus comes to a halt.

Genetics, infections, immune disorders, uterine abnormalities and more are some reasons that lead to the above-stated factors.

Male Sterility and Infertility – Causes

Male sterility is caused by a variety of factors, which are typically categorised as follows:

• Endocrine factors, wherein changes are due to the release of hormones that are involved in the sperm production process.
• Medical problems in testicles due to hydrocele, varicocele, cryptorchidism, trauma, etc.
• Sexual impotence, sperm duct obstruction, retrograde ejaculation, infections, and so forth. Even if sperm production is unaffected, these changes make it difficult for them to escape.
• Problems with sperm are the most common reasons behind male sterility or infertility. Low motility, anomalies in sperm structures or sperm counts can make carrying a pregnancy difficult.

If you think you’re having infertility or sterility issues, or if you fear your age is affecting your chances of getting pregnant, do not panic and connect with Banker IVF, the best infertility clinic in India. Dr Manish Banker will guide you through the journey of infertility to fertility in the most optimal manner.