What causes infertility in women?

Infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant for at least a year without any contraception. Failing at getting pregnant is the main symptoms for infertility. It can occur in one or both partners.

What are the symptoms of infertility in females?

Main symptom of infertility is failing to get pregnant. Another is the menstrual cycle being too long (35 days or more), too short (21 days less) or irregular.

These factors can mean that you are not ovulating.

What causes infertility in women?

Ovulation disorders can mean that you are rarely ovulating or not at all. Issues with regulating reproductive hormones by the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland, or problems in the ovary, can cause ovulation disorders.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): It causes due to hormone imbalance which affects ovulation. Women with PCOS experience irregular periods and have high level of male hormone. It’s one of the most common cause of infertility in women.
• Hypothalamic dysfunction: Hypothalamus is a small region in the brain located near the pituitary gland which regulates functions like releasing hormones, controlling appetite, regulating emotional responses etc. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) — the two hormones produced by the pituitary gland are responsible for stimulating ovulation each month. Physical and emotional stress, substantial weight change, very high or low body weight can disrupt the production of these hormones can disturb ovulation.
• Too much prolactin: If the pituitary grand is producing access prolactin it can reduce the oestrogen levels in the body and may result in infertility.

Scarring to the fallopian tubes

Damaged fallopian tube can prevent sperm from reaching the egg or block the path for fertilized egg from getting into the uterus.

• Damage to the fallopian tube can cause due to Pelvic inflammatory diseases or infection through sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea etc.
• Pelvic tuberculosis, a major cause of tubal infertility worldwide.
• A previous surgery in the abdomen or pelvis.

Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. This tissue can be found in the fallopian tubes, ovaries or the intestines. This extra tissue and process of surgically removing it can cause scarring to the fallopian tubes that can result in keeping the egg and sperm from meeting.

Cervical causes

• Abnormally in the shape of the uterus can cause difficulties in becoming or remaining pregnant.
• A narrowing of the cervix knows as Cervical stenosis can cause by the damage to the cervix.
• Sometimes the cervix fails to provide enough mucus for the sperm to travel through the cervix into the uterus.

What are the factors that can increase the risk of infertility?

Age: With certain age both the quality and the quantity of a woman’s egg reduces. In the mid 30’s the rate of follicle loss speeds that results in poor quality of eggs. This makes conception difficult and chances of miscarriage increases.

Smoking: It damages the cervix, increases the risk of miscarriage, age your ovaries and deplete your eggs prematurely. Stop smoking before going for any fertility treatment.

Sexual history: Having unprotected sex with multiple partners can increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia which can not only damage the fallopian tubes but can cause fertility problems later in life.

Weight: Being overweight or underweight can affect the ovulation. Maintain normal weight with healthy lifestyle choices.

Avoid alcohol: Too much alcohol can lead to decreased fertility and can affect the health of a developing foetus.

Too much stress: Couples dealing with psychological stress had poor results with the fertility treatment.

If you have further questions, our team of qualified Gynaecologists at the Bansal Global Hospital are 24/7 available to help you with your medical concerns. Fix your appointment today and contact us at +919911062832.