Female infertility refers to the inability of a woman to become pregnant or maintain a pregnancy to full term, even after engaging in regular unprotected sexual intercourse for an extended period, usually around one year. It’s a complex issue with various potential causes, and it can be a source of emotional distress for those affected.
Infertility can be either primary or secondary
- Primary infertility: You have never been pregnant and can’t get pregnant after six months (older than 35) or one year (younger than 35) of trying.
- Secondary infertility: You can’t get pregnant again after having at least one successful pregnancy and birth.
Factors Triggers
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Hormonal imbalances
- Ovulation disorders
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Endometriosis
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Diagnosis
- Hormone level assessments
- Ovarian reserve testing
- Imaging studies
- Possibly surgical procedures
Causes Of Female Infertility
- Endometriosis can cause scarring of fallopian tubes.
- Problems with ovulation
- Problems with your uterus: Uterine polyps, fibroids or adhesions (scarring) inside the cavity of uterus.
- Problems with your fallopian tubes: Cause of “tubal factor” infertility is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- Common causes of PID: Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
- Problems with egg count and quality: You’re born with all the eggs you’ll ever have, and this supply can run out early before the natural age of menopause (around 51). In addition, some eggs will have the wrong number of chromosomes and cannot fertilize and grow into a healthy foetus.
Treatment
- Lifestyle modifications
- Medication to stimulate ovulation
- Surgical correction of anatomical issues
- Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or donor egg/sperm options depending on the specific underlying cause of infertility.
Prevention
- Reducing alcohol consumption
- Quitting smoking
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Developing a good exercise routine
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Trying to sleep at least seven hours per night.
- It’s essential to visit your doctor regularly.
Infertility is a challenging issue that can affect individuals and couples profoundly. It’s essential to seek support from healthcare provider and explore available options. With advancements in science and technology, solutions and treatments are often available.
