Female Infertility Part 1

Symptoms

The main symptom of infertility is the inability to get pregnant. A menstrual cycle that's too long (35 days or more), too short (less than 21 days), irregular or absent can mean that you're not ovulating. There may be no other outward signs or symptoms.

When to see a doctor

When to seek help sometimes depends on your age:

Up to age 35, most doctors recommend trying to get pregnant for at least a year before testing or treatment.

If you're between 35 and 40, discuss your concerns with your doctor after six months of trying.

If you're older than 40, your doctor may want to begin testing or treatment right away.

What causes female infertility?

The most common causes of female infertility include problems with ovulation, damage to fallopian tubes or uterus, or problems with the cervix. Age can contribute to infertility because as a woman ages, her fertility naturally tends to decrease.

1.    Ovulation problems may be caused by one or more of the following:

·     A hormone imbalance

·     A tumor or cyst

·     Eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia

·     Alcohol or drug use

·     Thyroid gland problems

·     Excess weight

·     Stress

·     Intense exercise that causes a significant loss of body fat

·     Extremely brief menstrual cycles

2.    Damage to the fallopian tubes or uterus can be caused by one or more of the following:

·     Pelvic inflammatory disease

·     A previous infection

·     Polyps in the uterus

·     Endometriosis or fibroids

·     Scar tissue or adhesions

·     Chronic medical illness

·     A previous ectopic (tubal) pregnancy

·     A birth defect

3.    Cervical stenosis (a narrowing of the cervix), or abnormal cervical mucus can also cause infertility. Abnormal cervical mucus can prevent the sperm from reaching the egg or make it more difficult for the sperm to penetrate the egg.

Risk factors



Risk factors linked to female infertility include:

·      Age: The quality and quantity of a woman's eggs begin to decline with increasing age. In the mid-30s, the rate of follicle loss speeds, resulting in fewer and poorer quality eggs. This makes conception more difficult, and increases the risk of miscarriage.

Smoking tobacco: Besides damaging your cervix and fallopian tubes, smoking increases your risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, premature birth, and low-birth-weight babies. It's also thought to age your ovaries and deplete your eggs prematurely. Smoking by either partner reduces the chance of conceiving with each cycle, either naturally or by IVF, by one-third.

Using alcohol. Alcohol intake greatly increases the risk of birth defects for women

·      Using illicit drugs. Cocaine use in pregnant women may cause severe retardations and kidney problems in the baby.

Being overweight or significantly underweight

·      Excessive exercise. Strenuous, intense exercise of more than five hours a week has been associated with decreased ovulation.

Having certain past or present sexually transmitted disease

Taking certain medications or undergoing medical treatments, such as surgery or radiation used for treating cancer