TABLE SHOWING THE CAUSES OF STERILITY IN WOMEN.
I. Sterility due to Incapacity for Ovulation.
ABSOLUTE AND IRREMEDIABLE.
Complete absence of the ovaries.
Congenital atrophy of both ovaries.
Premature atrophy of the ovaries, in consequence of infectious disorders, constitutional diseases, and toxic influences.
New-growths of the ovaries, destroying all the follicles.
Senile changes in the ovaries.
Complete oophorectomy, or any equivalent form of operative sterility.
RELATIVE AND TRANSIENT.
Incomplete development of the ovaries.
Imperfect formation of ova, owing to marriage when still too young (amenorrhœa).
Ovarian tumours and oophorectomy, whereby, however, a remnant of healthy ovarian tissue is spared.
Chronic oophoritis and perioophoritis; syphilitic disease of the ovaries.
Excessive obesity, anæmia, chlorosis, scrofula, morphinism, alcoholism, various conditions affecting unfavourably the innervation or nutrition of the ovary; change of climate or mode of life; emotional disturbance; inbreeding, hereditary predisposition.
II. Sterility due to Interference with the Contact of Normal Spermatozoon and Ovum.
A. On the Part of the Wife.
ABSOLUTE AND IRREMEDIABLE.
Congenital or acquired universal thickening of the tunica albuginea of the ovaries, preventing the dehiscence of the follicles.
Absence of both tubes, developmental defects of these organs.
Absence or rudimentary condition of the uterus. Foetal uterus.
Congenital atresia of the uterus with arrest of development.
Complete absence of the vagina.
Extreme contraction of the pelvis, whereby the vagina is rendered inaccessible.
Hermaphroditism.
RELATIVE AND TRANSIENT.
Remediable thickening of the tunica albuginea, inflammatory remnants of perioophoritic processes, diseases of the cervical glands, dislocations and adhesions of the tubes, narrowing or obliteration of the ostia, inflammation of the tubes, pyosalpinx, obliteration of the lumen of the tube.
Retro-uterine haematocele.
New growths in the uterine cavity.
Infantile and pubescent uterus.
Primary atrophy of the uterus.
Puerperal atrophy of the uterus.
Displacements of the uterus—versions and flexions.
Hypertrophy or atrophy or changes in the shape of the cervix, cervical stenosis.
Cervical catarrh, especially when gonorrhoeal.
Ectropium of the cervix.
Spasmodic dysmenorrhœa.
Atresia of the vagina, obliteration of the canal by scars or tumours.
Abnormal termination of the vagina—vesico-vaginal and recto-vaginal fistula.
Absence of the external organs of generation and partial absence of the vagina, without defect of the internal organs of generation.
Abnormalities of the hymen.
Pathological states of the genital secretions.
Vaginismus.
Dyspareunia.
Perversion of the sexual impulse.
B. On the Part of the Husband.
ABSOLUTE AND IRREMEDIABLE.
Diseases of the central nervous system, and certain constitutional diseases.
Congenital or acquired absence of both testicles.
Atrophy of the testicles.
Complete azoospermia and aspermatism.
Senile impotence.
RELATIVE AND TRANSIENT.
Developmental defects of the penis, and acquired deformities of that organ.
Stricture of the urethra.
Oligozoöspermia.
Nervous impotence.
Gonorrhoeal and syphilitic infection.
The employment of measures for the prevention of pregnancy (facultative sterility).
III. Sterility due to Incapacity for the Implantation and further Development of the Ovum.
ABSOLUTE AND IRREMEDIABLE.
Arrested development of the uterus.
Complete atrophy of the uterine mucous membrane.
RELATIVE AND TRANSIENT.
Chronic metritis.
Chronic endometritis, especially gonorrhoeal and exfoliative endometritis.
Perimetritis, parametritis, pelvic peritonitis; the consequence of these inflammations.
Tumours of the uterus.
Displacements of the uterus.