Difference between Sterility and Infertility

Sterility refers to the inability to get pregnant and have children even with medical intervention. It can result from a congenital anomaly (for example, being born without ovaries) or surgical intervention (such as tubal ligation and hysterectomy for women and vasectomy for men). Male sterility includes the absence of sperm in the semen or the presence of other reproductive defects. Similarly, female sterility is the absence of ovulation. 
There are two different types of sterility:

1. Primary sterility - when a couple has never been able to get pregnant 
2. Secondary sterility - when a couple has had a successful pregnancy but cannot conceive another child due to surgical intervention 

Infertility is a common problem that refers to the inability to conceive after twelve months of having unprotected intercourse. If the woman is 35 years or more, this period is shortened to six months. Infertility can result from an issue with either the male, female, or both. Unlike sterility, infertility in males and females is not necessarily due to a procedure or medical condition. Infertility can also be caused due to reasons such as lack of ovulation and low sperm count and motility. 
There are two different types of infertility:

1. Primary infertility - when a couple has never achieved a full-term pregnancy after at least one year of unprotected sex 
2. Secondary infertility - when a couple has had one successful pregnancy but is unable to conceive again 

Males	Females
Changes in sexual desire Pain, lump, or swelling in the testicles Problems with ejaculations Difficulty maintaining erections Small, firm testicles Changes in hair growth	Irregular Periods No Periods Painful or heavy periods Signs of hormone fluctuations (facial hair growth, weight gain, reduced sex drive, thinning hair, and skin issues) Pain during sex

While both sterility and infertility are problems related to conceiving, they are not the same. Both differ in terms of conceiving a baby and treatments. While infertility can be treated, one cannot treat sterility. This is why infertility has a higher chance of creating a family than sterility. 
Sterility and infertility often co-exist. For instance, a man who had a vasectomy is considered sterile and, as a result, infertile. However, if a man with no infertility problems has a sterile female partner, the couple would suffer from infertility. There are several reasons for sterility and infertility in men and women. The following is a table that compares the causes of both. 

	Males	Females
Sterility	Hormonal alterations affecting sperm production Testicle problems caused by trauma, orchitis (inflammation of testicles), hydrocele (swelling in the scrotum), varicocele (enlarged veins inside the scrotum), etc Problems with sperm delivery (retrograde ejaculation, sexual impotence, blockage in the sperm ducts, etc.)	Hormonal disorders that affect the menstrual cycle and ovulation Damage or blockage in the fallopian tube  Abnormalities in the cervix caused by surgical intervention Polyps, endometriosis, malformations, myomas, etc., in the uterus prevents the sperm from reaching the egg.
Infertility	Hormonal disorders Azoospermia (no sperm count) Oligospermia (low sperm count) Malformed sperm that are unable to live long enough to fertilise the egg Problems with sperm delivery due to sexual problems like premature ejaculation Genetic diseases such as myotonic dystrophy and Klinefelter’s syndrome Medical conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and infections Overexposure to harmful environmental factors such as pesticides and radiation Unhealthy habits such as substance abuse  Varicoceles or trauma to testes Certain cancers and their treatments	Ovulation disorders such as PCOS affect the release of eggs from the ovaries (due to hormonal imbalances, thyroid conditions, substance abuse, eating disorders, tumours, too much exercise, etc.) Polyps, adhesions, septum, or fibroids inside the uterus Damage or blockage in the fallopian tube caused by pelvic inflammatory disease Early menopause Problems with eggs having the wrong number of chromosomes Pelvic adhesions (band of scar tissue that binds adjacent organs together) Certain cancers and their treatments

The causes of sterility can also be reasons for infertility in males and females. Why? Because sometimes, despite these disorders, fertilisation occurs, but full-term pregnancy is not achieved.

While, unfortunately, sterility is an incurable problem, infertility can be treated. Infertility treatment depends on multiple factors, such as:

1. The cause of infertility (some causes cannot be corrected)
2. The duration of infertility
3. Your and your partner’s age
4. Personal preferences

The following table shows the diagnosis and treatment for infertility in men and women. 

	Males	Females
Diagnosis	Male fertility tests include: Semen analysis (obtained by ejaculating the semen in a clear container) Hormone testing (blood test to determine testosterone levels) Genetic testing (determine a genetic defect causing infertility) Testicular biopsy (check abnormalities causing infertility) Imaging (brain MRI, transrectal or scrotal ultrasound)	Female fertility tests include: Ovulation testing (a blood test that measures hormone levels) Hysterosalpingography (evaluates the condition of the uterus and fallopian tubes)  Ovarian reserve testing (determine the number of available eggs) Imaging tests (pelvic ultrasound or saline infusion sonogram) Other hormone testing (check levels of ovulatory and pituitary hormones)
Treatment	Medications: Certain medications like clomiphene citrate (Clomid) and anastrozole can help improve sperm production and quality, increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.  Surgery: It is used to remove sperm blockage and restore fertility. In some other cases, surgery can also repair a varicocele to improve your overall chances of pregnancy.  Lifestyle changes: Certain lifestyle and behaviour changes can improve the chances of pregnancy. These changes include: Stop smoking and drinking Exercise regularly Stop taking certain medications Increase the frequency and timing of sexual intercourse	Fertility drugs: It is a commonly used treatment for infertile women with ovulation disorders. These drugs, such as clomiphene citrate (Clomid) and letrozole (Femara), are prescribed to induce ovulation or restore the balance of sex hormones.  Surgery: Polyps, septum, and scar tissue in the uterus can be treated with hysteroscopic surgery. Other problems, such as pelvic adhesions and endometriosis, may require laparoscopic surgery.  Intrauterine insemination (IUI): A procedure in which washed sperm is injected directly into the uterus after ovulation.

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If these treatments fail to achieve a pregnancy, you can try to get pregnant through Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). The most common type of ART technique is In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). It is a multi-step procedure that involves stimulating ovaries, retrieving mature eggs, fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory, and implanting the fertilised embryo in the uterus. 

There is a significant difference between sterility and infertility, but it is often overlooked. While sterility means you cannot conceive a baby, infertility can achieve pregnancy with medical or surgical intervention. However, sterility does not mean that you and your partner cannot become parents. It just implies that your journey to parenthood will be quite different. Choosing a gestational carrier or adoption can help you fulfil your dream of parenthood.

Are you concerned about being infertile? You can contact our fertility experts at HexaHealth to understand more about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of infertility. Our experienced medical professionals will guide you through the entire process of evaluating your sterility or infertility. Moreover, we will suggest a tailored treatment option to best suit your requirements. Visit our website at https://www.hexahealth.com/ for more information.