What Would Make a Woman Infertile?
Infertility means not being able to conceive after 12 months of trying, or 6 months, if a woman is 35 years or older. Women who can get pregnant but are unable to maintain a pregnancy can also be infertile. About 10% of women in the United States ages 15-44 have had problems getting pregnant or remain pregnant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Female Infertility Definition
Infertility is described as not being able to conceive after a year of unprotected sex. Because fertility in women is known to decline steadily with age, some providers consider and treat women 35 years of age or older after 6 months of unprotected sex. Women with infertility should consider an appointment with a reproductive endocrinologist, a medical practitioner who specializes in managing infertility. Reproductive endocrinologists may also be able to help women with recurrent miscarriages, who are described as having experienced two or more spontaneous miscarriages.
Most cases of infertility in women are triggered by ovulation problems. No egg can be fertilized without ovulation. (webmd.com) Some of the signs and symptoms that a woman is no longer ovulating generally consist of irregular menstrual periods, or none at all. Ovulation issues are mostly triggered by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a hormonal imbalance problem that can interfere with regular ovulation. The most common cause of infertility in women is PCOS. Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is another cause of problems with ovulation. POI occurs when a woman's ovaries stop working normally before she turns 40. POI differs from premature menopause.
Diagnosis of Female Infertility
The potential for infertility in women is assessed in the phase of a thorough physical examination. The examination will consist of medical records related to the possible factors that contribute to infertility.
Specialists may also use one or more of the following tests/examinations to evaluate fertility:
Pelvic examination and breast exam
- Tests of urine or blood to look for infection or hormonal problems, including thyroid function.
- Samples of cervical mucus and tissue to determine whether ovulation is occurring
- HSG is an X-ray that is used together with a colored fluid that is inserted into the fallopian tube to make it easier for the specialist to see if there is a blockage.
- A laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen to view the organs and look for blockages, adhesions or scar tissue.
- Hysteroscopy uses a small telescope with light fibers to look for abnormalities of the uterus.
- Ultrasonography to view the uterus and ovaries. This can be done vaginally or via the stomach.
- A sonohistogram combines ultrasound and saline that is injected into the uterus to look for abnormalities or problems.
Tracking your ovulation via fertility awareness will also help your health care provider check your fertility status.
What Causes Infertility to Woman?
While male fertility can often be improved through reforming lifestyle choices and avoiding certain environmental factors that can increase the risk of infertility, most of the causes of female infertility stem from medical problems that are difficult to avoid consciously.
Most of the cases are ultimately related to injury to the uterus or fallopian tubes, cervical problems or unusual ovulation. Inevitability of old age also has an impact, gradually limiting the number and satisfaction of eggs released after a woman turns 35, while the risk for at least one miscarriage pushes her up significantly.
Weight
The weight of a woman is an important factor in fertility problems. Women who are underweight and/or have areas of low body fat can experience irregular menstrual cycles and problems with ovulation. Being obese can also interfere with regular periods and ovulation. In addition, obese women also have a greater risk of miscarriage and various pregnancy problems and a lower success rate with infertility treatments such as IVF.
Women who find it difficult to lose weight should be checked to see if they have PCOS, as this is a frequent symptom. Women can regularly increase their chances of getting pregnant with relatively small changes to their weight. For example, in women who are obese, a 5% weight loss is sufficient to improve menstrual cycles and regular ovulation.
Mental stress: This can have an impact on a woman's ovulation and a man's sperm production, and may lead to reduced sexual activity.
Exposure to some chemicals: Some pesticides, herbicides, metals, such as lead, and solvents have been associated with fertility problems in both men and women. A rat study has recommended that substances in some family detergents can also limit fertility.
Inconsistent menstrual periods.
When a woman has regular menstrual periods, which are characterized by normal cycles that occur every 21 to 35 days, it is quite often an indication that she is ovulating regularly. Ovulation of the ovum occurs approximately 14 days before the start of the next term. If a woman has a cycle of more than 35 days, it may indicate that she is not ovulating an egg the way she normally does, or even by imagination. The ovulation of the egg is the basis for pregnancy. In this way, doctors advise assessing whether menstrual cycles are infrequent or sporadic in a couple trying to conceive.
Women 35 years or older: For some reason, the number of eggs decreases rapidly as women age. In addition, as maturation occurs, the quality of the eggs, or the likelihood of the eggs being mediocre, will decrease.
Ageing
The age of a woman is the most significant aspect in affecting her fertility. Females are born with a constant variety of eggs, and as they age, so do the eggs. A woman's fertility begins to decline in her early 30s, and by the age of 35, her fertility has dropped by about 40%. At the age of forty, a woman's fertility decreases even more. In addition, as women age, conditions like endometriosis can also progress to a degree where they can also affect fertility. Unfortunately, there is a lack of awareness about the effect age has on fertility.
Many women mistakenly believe that infertility treatments like IVF can address fertility problems. The most recent figures on assisted reproductive technology in Australia and New Zealand show that for women aged 30-34 the risk of live birth per cycle of therapy is 25.3%. For women aged 35-39 years it dropped to 16.9% and for women 40-44 years it was only 6.6%.
Damage to fallopian tubes.
This structure removes eggs from your ovaries, which produce eggs in the womb, where the child develops. They can rupture when scars form after pelvic infections, endometriosis, and pelvic surgery. This prevents the sperm from producing eggs in the tube. Egg and sperm cells meet in the tube. It is here that the egg is fertilized and then invades the uterus for implantation.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue pressing on the uterus grows in various parts of the body, usually in the pelvic area. This aberrant endometrial tissue bleeds in the same way as the uterine lining, without the trapped blood/tissue causing infection and inflammation. Scar tissue may form later in the adhesions that can glue the pelvic structures together.
What are The Female Infertility Symptoms?
In addition to having difficulty conceiving, the signs can vary widely from woman to woman. Depending on the cause of infertility, women may also experience pelvic pain, heavy menstruation, missed intervals or unexpected vaginal bleeding. Discuss any unusual signs with your physician. Some of these signs and symptoms can also be signs of an underlying hormonal condition that needs to be addressed, even if you're not trying to get pregnant.
Female Infertility Treatment – Rid Your Own Problem
-Salpingitis is treatable with antibiotics.
- Permanent damage to fallopian tubes is treated with surgical intervention.
- It is advisable not to exert yourself and give analgesics if there is pain.
- Regular checkup by your gynecologist is a good prevention of tubal disease.
- 3D Biomag can be used to treat infertility in women due to inflammation. Its purpose is to promote restoration and prevent tubal obstruction problems that may occur.
- It is important to start the 3D treatment software early, completely ending the healing and preventing possible chronicity and adhesion.
Is Infertility Just a Female Problem?
No, infertility has not always been a woman's problem now. Both men and women can suffer from infertility.
Couples conflict with infertility and seek help conceiving, but are often perceived as purely female conditions. However, in about 35% of couples with infertility, the male element is recognized together with the female factor. In approximately 8% of couples with infertility, male problems are the only identifiable cause. Nearly 9% of men aged 25 to 44 years in the United States say they or their partners visit a doctor for advice, infertility testing, or treatment for infertility during their lifetime.
The most common signs of endometriosis are prolonged pain and/or pelvic and abdominal pain. Endometriosis can have a negative impact on a woman's fertility through the ovaries, so ovulation cannot occur. Likewise, injury and/or blockage to the inside of the fallopian tubes can block the passage of an egg to the uterus. It is also believed that endometriosis can have an impact on the lining of the uterus, thereby affecting the implantation of a fertilized egg. If women get sick during sexual intercourse from endometriosis, they may be reluctant to have sex, eventually reducing their chances of getting pregnant.
Summary
Signs and symptoms of infertility are often linked to another underlying condition. For example, 10% to 15% of cases of untreated chlamydia will lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID causes blockage of the fallopian tubes, which will prevent conception.
There are many conditions that can cause female infertility. Symptoms of each can vary widely. If you are worried, it is important to consult your doctor.
If you're having trouble getting pregnant, your doctor will help you figure out why, and work with you to find treatments that can help.
