DISEASES

General factors affect female fertility problems

Author: Dr. Lee
Clicks:
Time: 2013/8/21 17:29:23

Female fertility is affected by general factors such as age, being overweight or underweight, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and smoking. However, the most common fertility problems in women include ovulation disorders, damage to fallopian tubes, uterine causes, cervical narrowing or blockage, endometriosis, and unexplained infertility.

Fertility problems in women

Uterine factors

These include uterine malformation, leiomyoma (fibroids), and Asherman's syndrome.

Uterine malformation

Occurs when there is unusual development of the Mullerian duct(s) during embryogenesis (a process where the embryo is formed and develops into a fetus). Symptoms of uterine malformation in this case are infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Leiomyoma or fibroids

These are harmless tumors that grow in the uterus, and common in women in their middle and later productive years. Although they are non-cancerous tumors, they block the fallopian tubes thus infertility.

Asherman’s syndrome

Asherman’s Syndrome.org describes this condition as "an acquired uterine condition, characterized by the formation of adhesions (scar tissue) inside the uterus." It causes infertility by causing endometriosis, a condition where tissues that grow in the uterus, grow in other places. The extra tissue growth can be removed surgically scarring the walls of the uterus thus affecting fertility.

Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes

Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes attributes to 20% of female infertility. The damage or blockage can be caused by previous pelvic surgery, pelvic infections, or fallopian tubes inflammation as a result of gonorrhea or chlamydia (STIs). Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes keep the ovum and sperm from meeting.

Cervical stenosis

Commonly referred to as cervical narrowing or blockage, is hereditary but can be caused by cervical cancer, trauma to the cervix, recurring vaginal infections, cervical Atrophy after menopause, or radiation. When a woman is said to have cervical stenosis, the opening of her cervix may be closed for the sperm to reach the ovum. Also, the cervix is not able to produce enough or high quality mucus to support sperm movement and fertilization.

Unexplained infertility

This is common in cases where causes of infertility are not determined, but can be as a combination of minor factors. Fortunately, couples with unexplained infertility have high chances of unplanned pregnancy than other couples with infertility problems.


Ovulation disorders:

This occurs when a woman stops ovulating with its main symptom being irregular periods or amenorrhea although some women will have regular periods even though they are not ovulating. Ovulation disorder can be further classified into:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

It is regarded as a common fertility problem affecting about 5-10% of women between ages 12-45 (reproductive age). It occurs when there is excess production of androgens (male hormones) due to complex changes in the ovary, hypothalamus, and pituitary. Obesity and insulin resistance have also been linked with PCOS explaining why it is difficult for overweight women to get pregnant.

Unusual secretion of Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH)

FSH and LH are hormones that stimulate ovulation every month. Both hormones are produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. However, secretion of these hormones is affected by specific pituitary diseases, being overweight or underweight, and physical and/or emotional stress. Irregular or no periods is the major sign of this problem.

Premature ovarian failure

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development describes premature ovarian failure as "a stop in the normal functioning of the ovaries in a woman younger than age 40." It can as well be caused by an autoimmune disease, and genetic disorders like Fragile X and Turner syndromes. With the autoimmune disease, the body mistakenly attacks the ovarian tissues leading to a decrease in estrogen production and loss of eggs.

Luteal dysfunction

Also known as Luteal phase defect, is when the ovaries does not produce enough progesterone after ovulation. Progesterone is an essential hormone that supports pregnancy through preparing the uterine lining and helping the egg in attaching and growing.



YOU MAY INTERESTED