Female Infertility: Causes And Easy Ways To Prevent It
Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive even after repeated attempts in one year of unprotected sex.
It affects approximately 10% of women of childbearing age and is a major cause of reproductive morbidity.
There are many causes of female infertility, including anatomic, functional, hormonal, and immunologic abnormalities.
The diagnosis of female infertility can be made through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory testing.
Treatment options for female infertility include intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, and assisted reproductive technologies.
This article will provide an overview of female infertility, its causes, risk factors, and treatment options.
Contents
What Is Female Infertility?
Female infertility is a condition in which a woman is unable to get pregnant after trying for 12 months or more.
It can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal imbalances, stress, age, and several other factors.
Causes Of Female Infertility
The following are some potential causes of female factor infertility-
Uterine Issues
The female reproductive system’s uterus is an essential organ. It is where the fertilized egg is implanted and where the developing embryo grows.
If there are problems with the uterus, it can cause fertility issues. Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus starts to grow outside of the uterus.
This can cause the ovaries to become blocked, making it difficult for the eggs to be released.
Adenomyosis is a similar condition, but in this case, the endometrial tissue grows into the uterine wall.
This can also cause blockages and make it difficult for eggs to be released. Non-cancerous lumps called fibroids to develop on the uterine wall.
Fibroids can cause pain and heavy bleeding, and they can also make it difficult for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus.
Fallopian Tube Issues
One of the most common causes of female infertility is problems with the fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes are muscular tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus.
They are responsible for carrying the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, where they can be fertilized by sperm.
If the fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged, it can prevent the eggs from reaching the uterus. This can lead to fertility problems and make it difficult to get pregnant.
There are several different causes of fallopian tube problems, including infection, inflammation, scarring, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Ovulation Issues
In about 25 percent of cases, problems with ovulation are the cause of infertility.
The egg’s release from the ovary is known as ovulation. For a woman to become pregnant, the egg must be fertilized by a sperm cell.
To be able to fertilize the egg, the sperm cell must be able to swim through the cervix, into the uterus, and up into the Fallopian tube.
If ovulation does not occur, the egg is not released. This means that a sperm cell cannot fertilize it, and pregnancy cannot occur.
Problems With Egg Quantity And Quality
One of the most common causes of female infertility is problems with egg number and quality. This can be caused by several factors, including age, lifestyle choices, and medical conditions.
Egg quality and quantity are important for fertility because it determines the chances of the egg being fertilized and developing into a healthy pregnancy.
If the egg is of poor quality, it is less likely to be fertilized or implanted in the uterus. If the egg is not fertilized, the woman will not become pregnant.
Risk Factors
Your risk of infertility may be increased by several circumstances, such as-
Age
For infertile women, age is an established risk factor. A woman’s fertility starts to decline in her early 30s and continues to decline throughout her life.
This is because a woman’s eggs age along with her and are less likely to be fertilized as she gets older.
The older a woman gets, the more likely she is to have difficulty conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term.
Smoking
Smoking has been identified as a risk factor for female infertility. Smoking can damage the eggs and make them less viable for fertilization.
Additionally, smoking has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage and birth defects.
Weight
Overweight women are more likely to experience fertility problems than women of a healthy weight.
This is thought to be because excess weight can interfere with female sex hormones levels, making it more difficult for a woman to ovulate.
In addition, being overweight can also increase the chances of miscarrying a pregnancy.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
STIs are a major risk factor for infertility because they can damage the reproductive organs and make it difficult for a woman to conceive.
In some cases, STIs can even lead to ectopic pregnancy, which can be dangerous for both the mother and the child.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption can lead to anovulation or the cessation of ovulation. This can cause problems with the menstrual cycle and make it difficult for a woman to become pregnant.
Alcohol consumption can also damage the eggs and disrupt the endocrine system. This can lead to changes in hormone levels that can interfere with fertility.
How Is Female Infertility Treated?
The good news is that there are several different treatment options available for women who are struggling with infertility.
Here are some of the most common treatments for female infertility:
- Fertility drugs: These drugs can help to stimulate ovulation and increase the chances of conception.
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI): This is an initial procedure of artificial insemination in which sperm is directly injected into the uterus. This could help to increase the chances of fertilization.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF): It involves retrieving eggs from a woman’s ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a lab. The fertilized eggs are then transplanted back into the woman’s uterus, where they can implant and grow.
Tips To Prevent Female Infertility
Following are the tips to prevent female infertility-
Keep A Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for female fertility. Being overweight or underweight can both lead to fertility problems.
If you are struggling to conceive, aim to achieve a BMI of between 20-25. This can be done through a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Stop Smoking
If you’re a woman who smokes and you’re hoping to become pregnant, quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your chances of conception.
Quitting smoking will not only improve your fertility, but it will also reduce your risk of other health problems.
So if you’re ready to quit smoking for good, talk to your doctor about the best ways to help you reach your goal.
Skip The Alcohol
Moderate alcohol consumption (2-3 drinks per week) can reduce a woman’s chances of conceiving by as much as 20%. So if you’re trying to get pregnant, it’s best to avoid alcohol altogether.
Reduce Stress
You can take a few actions to assist reduce your stress. First, try to identify the sources of stress in your life and find ways to eliminate them.
Next, make sure to take care of yourself emotionally and physically. Finally, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional if you’re struggling to cope with stress.
By taking these steps, you can help reduce your stress levels which may improve your chances of getting pregnant.
Final Remark
In conclusion, female infertility is a complex problem with many possible causes.
The most common risk factors are age, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.
There are a variety of treatment options available, but the most effective approach depends on the underlying cause of infertility.
To improve your chances of conceiving, make sure to consult with a fertility specialist and follow their recommendations.