If you’ve tried to conceive with regular, unprotected intercourse for at least a year without success, you may be experiencing infertility.
Approximately one-third of the time, infertility is caused by female causes, and about one-third of the time, by both female and male factors. In the other instances, the etiology is either unknown or a mix of male and female variables.
It might be challenging to identify the reasons for female infertility. Depending on the reason for infertility, there are many therapies. Many infertile couples will eventually become parents naturally.
Symptoms
The inability to conceive is the basic sign of infertility. You may not be ovulating if your monthly cycle is too lengthy (35 days or more), excessively short (less than 21 days), irregular, or nonexistent. There may be no further symptoms or indicators.
Depending on your age, you should get treatment when:
- Most medical professionals advise attempting to conceive for at least a year before testing or therapy till age 35.
- After six months of trying, talk to your doctor about your worries if you’re between the ages of 35 and 40.
- Your doctor could prescribe testing or therapy immediately away if you are over 40.
If you or your spouse has a history of known reproductive issues, irregular or painful periods, pelvic inflammatory disease, recurrent miscarriages, cancer treatment, or endometriosis, your doctor may want to start testing or treatment right immediately.
Common infertility problems and why they occur
- Damage to the fallopian tubes
Fallopian tubes that are damaged or blocked prevent sperm from reaching the egg or even prevent the fertilized egg from entering the uterus. In case you are dealing with this, you must consult a specialist for a fallopian tube blockage treatment. The following list of factors may contribute to fallopian tube injury or obstruction:
- An infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes brought on by chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or other sexually transmitted illnesses is known as pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Previous abdominal or pelvic surgeries, such as those performed for ectopic pregnancies, in which a fertilized egg implants and develops outside of the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube.
- Uterine causes
The below uterine or cervical conditions may prevent the egg from implanting or raise the chance of miscarriage:
- The uterus frequently develops benign polyps or tumors (fibroids or myomas). Some can reduce their fertility by preventing implantation or blocking fallopian tubes. But many women with fibroids or polyps do get pregnant.
- Obstacles to getting pregnant or maintaining pregnancy might result from uterine issues that are present from birth, such as a uterus that is not normally formed.
- A cervix injury or hereditary abnormality can lead to cervical stenosis, a narrowing of the cervix.
- There are times when the cervix is unable to create the ideal kind of mucus to allow the sperm to pass through and enter the uterus.
- Ovulation disorders
The maximum instances of infertility are caused by sporadic or nonexistent ovulation. Ovulation difficulties can result from issues with the ovary, the pituitary gland, or the brain, which regulates reproductive hormones.
- Ovarian polycystic syndrome (PCOS): Ovulation is impacted by the hormonal imbalance brought on by PCOS. PCOS is connected to insulin resistance, obesity, abnormal body or facial hair development, and acne. It is the most frequent cause for infertility in women.
- Malfunction of the hypothalamus: Each month, the pituitary gland releases two chemicals, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone, to promote ovulation (LH). A very high or extremely low body weight, a recent significant weight gain or reduction, or excessive physical or mental stress can all interfere with the synthesis of these hormones and impair ovulation. The most common symptoms are irregular or missing menstruation.
- Primary insufficiency of the ovaries: This condition, also known as premature ovarian failure, is often brought on by an immunological 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 since it no longer produces eggs.
- A surplus of prolactin: Prolactin can be produced in excess by the pituitary gland (hyperprolactinemia), which inhibits the synthesis of estrogen and may result in infertility. The medications you’re taking for a different condition may also be the cause of this.
- Endometriosis
When tissue that normally develops in the uterus implants and expands in other areas, endometriosis results. The surgical excision of this excess tissue development 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 illness also appears to harm sperm or eggs, which would have a less obvious impact on fertility.
- Unexplained reasons
Sometimes the reason for infertility is never identified. Unaccounted-for reproductive issues may be brought on by a confluence of multiple small variables present in both couples. Even though it is upsetting to not receive a clear response, this issue will eventually go away. But you shouldn’t put off getting infertility therapy.
It may be really difficult to be infertile. Contact a gynecology hospital if you’ve been trying to conceive for more than six months or 12 months if you’re over 35 without success. After a diagnosis, your doctor can assist you in creating a future plan.