FEMALE INFERTILITY
What Is Female Infertility?
- When a woman is unable to get pregnant after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual exposure for women who are less than 35 years
- While for women who are over 35years, after 6 months of regular unprotected sexual exposure without getting pregnant it will be appropriate to seek medical assistance.
- Frequent miscarriages can also be considered infertility
UNDERSTANDING THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Causes of Female Infertility
There are a number of problems that could cause infertility in women. The list represents the most
common medical situation that leads to infertility
- Issues in the Uterus – Most common uterine problems include Polyps and fibroids
- Polyps –this is a non-cancerous growth in the inner lining of the uterus
Polyps Growth on different locations of uterine lining- Fibroid- non-cancerous growth within the wall of the uterus
- The cervical canal could be very narrow
- The cervix is unable to produce adequate mucus that allows sperm to pass through the cervix into the uterus
4. Fallopian tube issues - Damage to the fallopian tube, blockage of the fallopian tube
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An infection of the fallopian tube
- Sexually transmitted infections (STI) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea which damage the fallopian tube
- Previous pelvic surgery can cause damage or scar the fallopian tube
4. Endometriosis – this is a condition where tissues like the one on the uterus start growing in other
area like the fallopian tube, this can cause heavy menstrual bleeding and bleeding between
menstrual periods lowering the chance of getting pregnant
5. Ovulation disorder – reduces the chance of getting pregnant. This could present in three ways:
- Ovary stops working very early resulting in early menopause
- Poor egg quality, the number of egg chromosomes is less than the required for fertilization to take place. When this happens the egg is unable to be fertilized by a sperm cell.
- Hormonal Imbalance can affect the release of eggs, either releasing too frequently in between periods or irregular release of eggs
6. Unexplained Infertility – Some reports suggest that about 20% of female infertility have no known cause
Risk Factors
Some factors are known to reduce the chance of a woman getting pregnant. Let us consider some predisposing factors that increase the chance of infertility occurrence in a woman
- Age - The older a woman gets the quality and quantity of eggs she produces declines. In many cases, this starts from the mid-thirties
- Alcohol – According to some reports alcohol intake lowers the chances of getting pregnant
- Smoking – smoking could reduce the chance of getting pregnant
- Weight - Obesity can cause irregular ovulation or irregular period while underweight often caused by eating disorder can result in shut down of reproductive system
- History of Sexually transmitted infections - STI can cause Pelvic Inflammatory disease and fallopian tube blockage
How Can You Prevent Infertility?
Well, some of the causes of female infertility cannot be determined or be prevented however the risk can be lowered by reducing the risk factors and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
- Keep a healthy weight – avoid getting overweight or underweight to avoid ovulation disorder
- Exercise moderately, avoid regular, long, intense, and very strenuous exercise. Frequent Intense and strenuous exercise could reduce the chance of getting pregnant
- Avoid alcohol in any amount if you are trying to conceive
- Quit Smoking – smoking reduces your chance of getting pregnant and increases the chance of miscarriage. This includes passive smoking
- Reduce Stress level - stress or depression can affect your hormones, resulting in ovulation disorder
- Reduce the risk of Sexually Transmitted Infection Practice safe sex when you are not ready to get pregnant. Avoid multiple partners
- Limit your caffeine intake – sources of caffeine include Green Tea, Coffee, Soda water, Energy drinks, dark chocolate, etc.
Treatment
There are different tests available to determine the cause of infertility, your gynecologist can advise you appropriately.
When the cause is determined, we have effective alternative prescriptions that deal with many of the causative factors. Treatment focuses on:
- Increasing the chance of conception by treating causative factors such as polyps and fibroids, Pelvic Inflammatory disease, infections, etc.
- Reducing the risk of miscarriage
- Address issue of hormone imbalance
You can contact us through the following:
wtlhealth48@gmail.com ,WhatsApp: +234 (0) 706 763 9302
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