Complete guide for Female infertility
What is Female Infertility?
Failure to conceive after a year of trying medically defines infertility (or 6 months if the woman is over age 35). Repeated miscarriages are also a sign of infertility in women. Several variables, including advancing age, health issues, hormonal imbalances, and unhealthy lifestyles or environments, have been linked to female infertility.
Exploring Female Infertility- Diagnosis and Treatment
Causes
- Damage to Fallopian tubes (Tubal Infertility)
- Uterine and Cervical causes
- Endometriosis
- Ovulation Disorders
- Hypothalamic dysfunction
- Too much prolactin
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Primary ovarian insufficiency
Damage to Fallopian Tubes
Damaged fallopian tubes prevent sperm from reaching the egg or the fertilized egg from entering the uterus.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or other sexually transmitted infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes can all cause fallopian tube injury or obstruction.
- Previous abdominal or pelvic surgery, including surgery for ectopic pregnancy, in which a fertilized egg implants and develops outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube
Uterine and Cervical causes
Several uterine or cervical reasons can prevent egg implantation or increase miscarriage:
- Birth defects in the uterus, such as an odd shape, can make pregnancy difficult.
- Uterine fibroids and myomas are prevalent. Some obstruct fallopian tubes or prevent implantation, reducing fertility. Many fibroids and polyps patients get pregnant.
- The cervix sometimes produces poor mucus that prevents sperm from entering the uterus.
- An hereditary abnormality or cervix damage can induce cervical stenosis.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis develops when uterine tissue implants elsewhere. Scarring from this additional tissue growth and its surgical excision can restrict fallopian tubes and prevent egg-sperm union.
Endometriosis can also prevent implantation. Damage to sperm and eggs may potentially influence fertility.
Ovulation Disorders
Most infertile women don’t ovulate. Ovulation disorders can result from hypothalamic, pituitary, or ovarian hormone regulatory issues.
- Hypothalamic dysfunction FSH and LH, generated by the pituitary gland, stimulate ovulation monthly (LH). Stress, extreme body weight, or recent weight increase or decrease might impair hormone production and ovulation. Most indicators are irregular or missed periods.
- Overprolactin Hyperprolactinemia, caused by the pituitary gland, lowers estrogen and causes infertility. Medication for another condition may cause this.
- PCOS PCOS hormone imbalances ovulation. PCOS causes insulin resistance, obesity, irregular hair growth, and acne. It causes most female infertility.
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency Premature ovarian failure is caused by an immunological response or premature egg loss from your ovary, maybe due to genetics or chemotherapy. Under-40 women’s ovaries produce less estrogen and no eggs.
Diagnosis
- Ovulation Testing
- Imaging Tests
- Ovarian reserve Testing
- Hysterosalpingography
- Laparoscopy
Ovulation Testing An over-the-counter ovulation prediction kit detects the pre-ovulation LH spike. Ovulation can be confirmed by a progesterone blood test. Other hormones like prolactin may be tested.
Imaging Tests Pelvic ultrasounds detect uterine or fallopian tube illness. A sonohysterogram or hysteroscopy can reveal uterine features that an ultrasound cannot.
Ovarian reserve Testing This examination determines ovulation egg quality and amount. This blood and imaging test may be given to women over 35 at risk of egg depletion.
Hysterosalpingography uses X-ray contrast to examine the uterus. The test also shows if your fallopian tubes leak uterine fluid. If issues are detected, you’ll need further evaluation.
Laparoscopy Using thin viewing equipment, this minimally invasive operation examines your fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus through a small incision beneath your navel. Laparoscopy can detect endometriosis, scarring, fallopian tube obstructions, ovaries, and uterus issues.
Treatment
Your age, reason, infertility duration, and preferences determine infertility therapy. Infertility therapy is costly, time-consuming, and stressful.
Medication or surgery can restore fertility, or advanced treatments can help you conceive.
Fertility drugs include
- Metformin
- Clomiphene citrate
- Bromocriptine
- Gonadotropins
- Letrozole
Surgery
- Tubal surgeries
- Laparoscopic or Hysteroscopic surgery
Reproductive Assistance
- Assisted Reproductive Technology
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Lifestyle changes to improve chances of Conception
- Natural Supplements
- Avoid Excess Alcohol
- Aim for a healthy weight
- Add in a Multivitamin
- Eat Foods rich in Antioxidants
- Avoid Trans Fat
- Cut down on Carbs If You have PCOS
- Swap protein sources