Female Infertility
Causes
Most women have no obvious signs of infertility until they
try to become pregnant and are not successful after one year. Infertility may
sometimes be signaled by heavy, irregular or absent menstrual periods or associated
with conditions that cause pain during menstruation or intercourse. Other signs
that may point to fertility problems include obesity, facial hair and fluid
that leaks from the breasts.
Infertility problem may occur by various reasons. The
most common cause of female infertility include ovulation disorders, polycystic ovarian
syndrome, fallopian
tube damage or blockage, endometriosis,
ovarian cysts, fibroids, pelvic infection and early menopause. It may also be caused by
sexually transmitted diseases, poor nutrition, hormone imbalance, tumor, uterine
factors and egg quality.
Ovulation disorders
Ovulation problems result when one part of the system that controls reproductive
function malfunctions. The failure to ovulate is the most common cause of female
infertility. Without ovulation, eggs are not available to be fertilized. Ovulation
problems can be caused by various things such as excessive weight loss, stress,
thyroid problems or slight irregularities in hormone imbalances. Disruption
in the part of the brain that regulates ovulation (hypothalamic-pituitary axis)
can cause deficiencies in luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating
hormone (FSH). Signs of problems with ovulation include irregular menstrual
periods or no periods.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition characterised by the presence
of many minute cysts in the ovaries which is caused by excess production of
hormone called androgen. This will prevent the follicles of the ovaries from
producing a mature egg. Without egg production, the follicles swell with fluid
and form into cysts. Every time an egg is trapped within the follicle, another
cyst forms, so the ovary swells, sometimes reaching the size of a grapefruit.
PCOS can be diagnosed through a series of blood tests and some symptoms of this
condition include weight gain, acne, irregular or absent periods.
Fallopian tube damage or blockage
This condition usually results from inflammation of the fallopian tube (salpingitis).
If they are blocked, the egg cannot move from the ovary to the uterus. This
condition can happen as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis,
pelvis surgery, ruptured appendix or mislocated (ectopic) pregnancy. Structural
disorders, like birth defects of the uterus and fallopian tubes, fibroids in
the uterus, and bands of scar tissue can also block the fallopian tubes.
Endometriosis
This is a condition when the tissue that makes up the lining of the uterus
(endometrium) grows into growths or lesions outside of the uterus usually on
the ovaries or the lining of the abdomen near the uterus and fallopian tubes.
In sync with the menstrual cycle, this tissue builds up, breaks down and sheds
each month; but it has no way of leaving the body. As a result it causes internal
bleeding, breakdown of blood which can lead to scarring and inflammation.
Pelvic pain and infertility are common in women with endometriosis. It can be
detected during laparoscopy. If you experience pain while having sex, have very
painful menstrual cramps, or experience heavy bleeding during your period or
unusual spotting, you may have endometriosis.
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