In this article:
Let's talk about what's going on in your body and how your doctor can help.
What Does It Mean When Sperm and Uterus Don’t Work Well Together?
For a pregnancy to happen naturally, sperm must pass through the vagina, into the uterus, and then into the fallopian tube to meet the egg. If the uterus or cervix isn't right for the sperm, they cannot live or get to the egg.People usually refer to this issue as cervical factor infertility or immune-related infertility. Your body might even see sperm as a threat and try to fight it off, just like it does when you have an allergy.
A lot of couples only find out about it after trying to get pregnant for months or years without success, since they don't see any obvious indicators.
Possible Causes of This Issue
There are a number of reasons why the sperm and uterus don't work well together:- Problems with cervical mucus: When your cervical mucus is overly thick or not elastic, it can hinder the sperm from migrating forward.
- Anti-sperm antibodies: Your body's immune system may make antibodies that kill or assault sperm.
- Infections: Infections that have happened in the past or are still happening in the cervix or uterus might change the environment inside.
- Hormonal imbalance: Hormones affect the amount and quality of cervical mucus. This process can be thrown off by an imbalance.
- Unexplained infertility: Sometimes doctors can't figure out what's wrong, but they know there is a problem.
How Doctors Diagnose the Problem
If your doctor thinks the sperm and uterus aren't working well together, they could suggest certain tests:1. The Postcoital Test (PCT): You and your partner will have sex a few hours before this test. Your doctor will take a sample of your cervical mucus to see how many sperm are still alive and how they are migrating. If very few are moving or none are living, it could mean that the mucus or the immune system is not working properly.
2. Anti-Sperm Antibody Test: This blood or semen test looks for antibodies that could be hurting the sperm. These antibodies can be in either partner's cervical mucus or semen.
3. Checking the cervical mucus: Your doctor may assess the amount, thickness, and texture of your cervical mucus around the time of ovulation. Good mucus should be transparent and elastic, like raw egg white. This lets sperm move around easily.
What Doctors Can Do to Help
Even if the sperm and uterus don't naturally work together, there are still a number of treatments you can try. Your doctor will pick the best one based on your age, test results, and general health.1. Taking care of infections or imbalances that are already there
If tests show that an infection or hormonal imbalance is harming your reproductive system, your doctor may start by giving you medicine or hormone therapy. Antibiotics can help with infections, while fertility medicines can help with hormone balance and the quality of cervical mucus.
2. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Using a thin tube, surgeons put the sperm directly into your uterus in this way. In this approach, the sperm doesn't have to go through the cervix, which could cause problems with cervical mucus or antibodies.
When sperm and cervical mucus don't mix well, IUI is often the first step in fertility treatment.
3. Using Washed Sperm
A lab often uses "washed" sperm before an IUI to get rid of anything that could lower your chances of getting pregnant, such as antibodies or bad sperm. This makes the sperm more concentrated and more able to get to the egg.
4. IVF, or in vitro fertilisation
If previous treatments don't work, your doctor may offer IVF. In this treatment, sperm is used to fertilise your eggs in a lab. The embryo is then put straight into your uterus, so the sperm and cervix don't have to touch.
IVF is more expensive and time-consuming, but it works better in many situations of unexplained or immune-related infertility.
5. Steroid or immunosuppressive drugs
If you have anti-sperm antibodies, your doctor may give you medicine to suppress your immune system. Because these drugs can hurt your immune system as a whole, they are only administered when essential.
It can be incredibly hard to get pregnant when everything seems okay on the outside. If the sperm and uterus aren't working well together, it could be because of things you can't see, such as bad cervical mucus or immune reactions. Modern fertility care has a lot of options, from simple ones like IUI to more complicated ones like IVF. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to talk to a fertility expert who can help you through the process and find the best answer for you.
Whether you’re trying to conceive or navigating IVF, you’re not alone. Join our supportive communities to connect, share, and find strength with others on the same journey.
FAQs on What Doctors Can Do If The Sperm And Uterus Aren’t Working Well Together
- If I have anti-sperm antibodies, can I still get pregnant naturally?
A: In some circumstances, natural conception is still possible, but it might take longer. If the antibodies are strong, doctors generally suggest therapies like IUI or IVF to improve the odds. - Does IUI hurt or have any side effects?
A: IUI is usually a painless and quick procedure. You may feel slight discomfort, like mild cramping. Side effects are rare but can include minor spotting or bloating.
