If you have been trying to get pregnant for a year or longer, and not having any luck, you may soon be undergoing testing to try and determine the cause of infertility.
There are many causes of infertility, both male and female. In fact, in couples experiencing infertility, the percentage of occurrence of male infertility is approximately the same as for female infertility.
One possible cause of infertility that may be experienced by males as well as females is Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.
What is Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia?
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is a family of inherited disorders that affect the adrenal glands.
The most common form of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is 21-hydroxylase deficiency, or 21-OHD, which may be inherited in mild or severe forms.
The severe form, which is called Classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is normally detected in infancy or early childhood.
The milder form, which is referred to as Non-Classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, is liable to cause symptoms at any time from infancy through adulthood.
The milder form is much more common than the severe, and can be treated with medication. With proper care and treatment, those individuals, both male or female, are able to lead normal lives.
This condition is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder, and affects males and females in equal numbers. In order for a child to be born with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, both parents must carry a gene for the disorder.
The milder, or Non-Classical form of this condition may affect puberty and childhood growth, and it may cause infertility in men or women.
It is not at all uncommon for a person to have no idea they even have Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia until they start trying to have children and are infertile.
Can Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia be Treated?
Yes. Those with the mild version of this condition can be successfully treated with regular doses of a steroid called dexamethasone. Normally, just a few months of treatment is all it takes for the condition to be treated, and the person will then have normal fertility so that conception and pregnancy can take place.
If you are dealing with infertility, ask your doctor to perform the blood test on you and your partner to check for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia & Infertility
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