Summary
Introduction. Infertilityaffects about 10–15% of cou ples world wide, and as many as 10 to 20% of these cases are diagnosed as infertility of unknown origin. Infertility of unknown origin is diagnosed when the cause of infertility remains unidentified despite a thor ough examination of both partners. This diagnosis does not allow the couple to take targeted action to conceive. To help infertile couples, links to other diseases that could influence the on set of this pathology are currently being sought. One of the most commonly described mechanisms that can affect fertility in women with bronchial asthma is inflammatory and hypersensitizing processes through out the body, including the reproductive organs, which complicate optimal embryo implantation. It is also hypothesised that the in creased reactivity in the pathogenesis of infertility maybe similar to the process that occurs in bronchial asthma.
The aim. To conduct a review of the literature to elucidate the possibilities of infertility diagnostic tests, the links between female infertility and bronchial asthma, their possible pathogenetic relationship.
Methods. Literature searches were performed using PubMed, Medscape, Cochrane Library medical databases and the Google Scholar information retrieval system.
Conclusion. Bronchial asthma and infertility remain the leading chronic diseases in women of reproductive age, which, according to recent studies, often coexist. Al though there are no validated treatment algorithms for infertility of uncertain origin, when counselling women, it is important to consider not only the most common causes of infertility, but also other chronic diseases in women, especially bronchial asthma; and to discuss the possibility to perform more specific examination depending on the chronic disease, which coexists.
