If you’ve tried to conceive by having frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year without success, you may be experiencing infertility.
Infertility is caused by female factors one-third of the time and by both female and male factors the other third of the time. The causes of the remaining cases are either unidentified or a combination of male and female factors.
Understanding the causes of female infertility can be challenging. The treatment usually depends on the cause of infertility. Many infertile couples will become parents eventually.
Female Infertility Causes
Every step of the human reproduction process must go according to the plan for pregnancy to occur. The steps in this process include:
- One of the two ovaries releases the mature egg.
- The fallopian tube takes hold of the egg.
- To reach the egg for fertilization, sperm swims up the cervix, through the uterus, and into the fallopian tube.
- The fetus’s fertilized egg descends the fallopian tube and enters the uterus.
- The fertilized egg grows by implanting (attaching) to the uterus’s interior.
This process can be interrupted in women by a variety of factors at any point. The following factors may lead to female infertility:
Ovulation Disorders
The majority of instances of infertility are caused by infrequent or nonexistent ovulation. Ovulation disorders can result from issues with the ovary, the pituitary gland, or the hypothalamus, which regulates reproductive hormones.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Ovulation is impacted by the hormonal imbalance brought on by PCOS. PCOS is linked to insulin resistance, obesity, abnormal body or facial hair growth, and acne.
Hypothalamic Dysfunction: Each month, the pituitary gland releases two hormones, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone, to promote ovulation (LH). Excessive physical or emotional stress, a recent significant weight gain or loss, or a very high or very low body weight can all interfere with the production of these hormones and affect ovulation. Period irregularity or absence are the most common symptoms.
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: This condition, also known as premature ovarian failure, is brought on by an autoimmune reaction or the early loss of eggs from your ovaries, which may be brought on by genetics or chemotherapy. In younger women, the ovary reduces estrogen production because it no longer produces eggs.
Excess of Prolactin: Prolactin can be produced in excess by the pituitary gland (hyperprolactinemia), which inhibits the production of estrogen and may result in infertility. This could also be due to the medications you’re taking for a different disease.
Fallopian Tube Damage (tubal infertility)
Fallopian tubes that are damaged or blocked prevent sperm from reaching the egg or prevent the fertilized egg from entering the uterus. The following list of factors may contribute to fallopian tube damage or obstruction:
- An infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes brought on by chlamydia, gonorrhea, or other sexually transmitted infections is known as a pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Prior abdominal or pelvic surgery, such as surgery for an ectopic pregnancy (a fertilized egg implants and develops outside of the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube),
Endometriosis
When tissue that normally develops in the uterus implants and grows in other places, endometriosis results. The surgical removal of this extra tissue growth may result in scarring, which may obstruct fallopian tubes and prevent the union of an egg and sperm.
Additionally, endometriosis can prevent a fertilized egg from implanting properly. The condition also appears to harm sperm or eggs, which would have a less obvious impact on fertility.
Cervical or Uterine Causes
The following uterine or cervical conditions may prevent the egg from implanting or raise the risk of miscarriage:
- The uterus frequently develops benign polyps or tumors (fibroids or myomas). Some can reduce fertility by preventing implantation or blocking fallopian tubes. Many women with fibroids or polyps, however, become pregnant.
- Obstacles to getting pregnant or maintaining a pregnancy can result from uterine issues that are present at birth, such as a uterus that is not normally shaped.
- A cervix injury or inherited malformation can lead to cervical stenosis, a narrowing of the cervix.
- Sometimes the cervix is unable to produce the necessary mucus to allow sperm to pass through and enter the uterus.
Unexplained infertility
Sometimes the reason for infertility is never identified. Unaccounted-for fertility issues may be brought on by a confluence of several minor factors present in both partners. Even though it is frustrating to not receive a clear response, this issue will eventually go away. But you shouldn’t put off getting infertility treatment.
Treatment and Diagnosis of Infertility
Visit the top infertility clinic right away if, after a year of unprotected sexual activity, you haven’t succeeded in getting pregnant. A gynecologist may use a variety of tests to make a proper diagnosis, including laboratory work, semen analysis, a transvaginal ultrasound, diagnostic laparoscopy, and hysterosalpingography (HSG).
The following treatments might be suggested by the gynecologist once the cause has been determined:
- Medicine: Medicines like Clomifene, gonadotropins, etc. can help control or trigger the ovulation process.
- Intrauterine insemination: During this procedure, a small tube is inserted and semen is put right into the uterus at the time of ovulation.
- In-vitro fertilization (IVF): During this procedure, embryos that were fertilized outside of the body (in-vitro) are put inside the uterus.
- Surgery for infertility: Procedures like laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are used to treat any abnormality that may cause infertility.
- Third-party or donor-assisted reproduction: This term describes a procedure that enables an infertile individual or couple to conceive a child by using DNA or gestation from a donor or third party.
Being infertile can be very stressful. If you’ve been ineffectively trying to conceive for more than six months, or 12 months if you’re over 35, get in touch with Rao Hospital. After a diagnosis, we can help you put together a plan for the future.
