Covid-19 vaccine doesn’t cause infertility – KBC

The Covid-19 vaccine cannot prevent you from getting pregnant.

According to Dr Phionah Atuhebwe (Vaccine Introduction Officer, Africa World Health Organization), changes in the menstrual cycle are common after taking the jab.

She however says that even if there are some temporary changes in the cycle they can be caused by different reasons and should not cause infertility.

On taking the Covid-19 vaccine while on fertility treatment, Dr Atuhebwe says you should let a health professional know exactly what treatment you are on before you get the vaccine.

“Getting the vaccine should not be a problem, but it is important to let the health professional know of any treatments or any conditions you may have,” she says.

Infertility is defined as a “disease of the reproductive system” and results in disability.

WHO has calculated that over 10% of women are inflicted – women who have tried unsuccessfully, and have remained in a stable relationship for five years or more.

Estimates in women using a two-year time frame, resulting in prevalence values 2.5 times larger.

The burden in men according to WHO is unknown.

Despite the high burden, couples and individuals, who desire but are unable to achieve and maintain a desired pregnancy, have needs that are not being addressed, especially in lower resource settings worldwide.

What causes infertility?

According to WHO, infertility may be caused by a number of different factors, in either the male or female reproductive systems. However, it is sometimes not possible to explain the causes of infertility.

In the female reproductive system, infertility may be caused by:

• tubal disorders such as blocked fallopian tubes, which are in turn caused by untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or complications of unsafe abortion, postpartum sepsis or abdominal/pelvic surgery;
• uterine disorders which could be inflammatory in nature (such as such endometriosis), congenital in nature (such as septate uterus), or benign in nature (such as fibroids);
• disorders of the ovaries, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and other follicular disorders;
• disorders of the endocrine system causing imbalances of reproductive hormones. The endocrine system includes hypothalamus and the pituitary glands. Examples of common disorders affecting this system include pituitary cancers and hypopituitarism.

The relative importance of these causes of female infertility may differ from country to country, for example, due to differences in the background prevalence of STIs, or differing ages of populations studied.⁴

In the male reproductive system, infertility may be caused by:

• obstruction of the reproductive tract causing dysfunctionalities in the ejection of semen. This blockage can occur in the tubes that carry semen (such as ejaculatory ducts and seminal vesicles). Blockages are commonly due to injuries or infections of the genital tract.
• hormonal disorders leading to abnormalities in hormones produced by the pituitary gland, hypothalamus and testicles. Hormones such as testosterone regulate sperm production. Example of disorders that result in hormonal imbalance includes pituitary or testicular cancers.
• testicular failure to produce sperm, for example, due to varicoceles or medical treatments that impair sperm-producing cells (such as chemotherapy).
• abnormal sperm function and quality. Conditions or situations that cause abnormal shape (morphology) and movement (motility) of the sperm negatively affect fertility. For example, the use of anabolic steroids can cause abnormal semen parameters such as sperm count and shape.

Environmental and lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake and obesity can also affect fertility.

In addition, exposure to environmental pollutants and toxins can be directly toxic to gametes (eggs and sperm), resulting in their decreased numbers and poor quality, leading to infertility.

By Beth Nyaga/WHO