Over the past twenty years, fertility problems have increased dramatically, and so more and more couples are turning to search for the causes of female infertility to decide for an infertility treatments to help them build a family.
Many couples can expect to wait an average of three years before conceiving, and, as a result, very few doctors will consider a diagnosis of infertility until after at least one year has passed. With a growing number of women waiting until their careers
are established before they try to conceive, conception can be more difficult.
Infertility
Infertility is a disease or condition of the reproductive system. It is often diagnosed after a couple has had one year of unprotected, well-timed intercourse or if the woman has suffered from multiple miscarriages.
Not only a woman's condition plays a role, also male factors can exert influence on infertility. Sometimes doctors can't find a reason and name the cause "unexplained".
Approximately 45% of infertility is due to female factor and 40% is due to male factor. Infertility results in 5% of all cases from problems in both partners and in approximately 10% the cause of infertility is "unexplained".
Causes of Female Infertility
Causes of female infertility are determined by different factors, which can be divided into physical and psychological factors. There may be also psychological factors that play a role, but here you can read all about the possible physical causes of female infertility.
Hormonal causes of female infertility:
The proper amount of hormones, like progesterone and estrogen is crucial to a woman who is trying to become pregnant. Progesterone prepares the uterine wall for implantation of the fertilized egg and estrogen is responsible for the
menstrual cycle, for the nutricion of a fertelized egg and later for the development of the fetus. Without adequate progesterone, the egg will be expelled and without estrogen,
the placenta itself wouldn't grow and operate properly,
and so the organs of the fetus would never be triggered into maturation.
Medicinal causes of female infertility:
Medicinal causes of female infertility include all disorders, failures or deseases that a woman can have. Also miscarriage is a medicinal cause of female infertility and has a boosting influence on infertility. Read the text below and learn about the most common medicinal causes of female infertility.
Endometriosis is a disorder of the female reproductive system in which endometrial tissue (the normal lining of the uterus) is found outside the uterine cavity. So the lining can't make the receiving and nutricion of a fertilized egg and later a developing fetus possible.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a cause of female inferitiliy characterized by the accumulation of cysts (fluid-filled sacs) on the ovaries associated with high male hormone levels. PCOS symptoms include, in addition to infertility, irregular or absent periods, lack of ovulation, weight gain, acne and excessive facial hair.
Premature ovarian failure is defined as the loss of ovarian function at a young age (about 15 to 40) causing female infertility. The cessation of the ovarian function causes the stop of regular periods and (menopause) symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings and bladder control problems.
Uterine Factors. Abnormalities of the uterus can have a significant impact on the ability of a woman to conceive and to carry a pregnancy successfully. Some women have an abnormally developed uterus from birth (congenital) while others may develop a uterine problem due to infection or surgery (acquired) resulting as one of the causes of female infertility.
Another cause of female infertility comes from the term Poor Responder which is used to define women who require large doses of stimulation medications and who make only a little amount of eggs. But with a small number of eggs, the chances for fertilization are really little.
Infertility Factors
Infertility is a disease or condition. In most of the cases, you can take actions to prevent it. However, some infertility factors (e.g. age) cannot be influenced, but unbalanced hormonal levels for example can be treated easily. For more informations about how selected factors influence infertility read the text below.
Infertility factors:
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Age. A woman's age can affect her fertility. The chance of pregnancy decreases with  higher age, caused by a smaller number of eggs, and the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the eggs and miscarriage increases.
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Unprotected sex. Having multiple sex partners and not using condoms may increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that can cause infertility in men and women.
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Smoking. Smoking may increase the risk of infertility in women and may reduce sperm production in men.
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Unbalanced hormone levels. The proper amount of hormones, like progesterone and estrogen is crucial to a woman who is trying to become pregnant. For example, if the body is overload with estrogen, the reproductive cycle gets in confusion.
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Being underweight. Body fat levels between 10 and 15 percent below normal can completely shut down the reproductive process.
Many of the risk factors for both male and female infertility are the same.
Balancing hormonal levels:
Because the right hormonal level of estrogen and progesterone is one of the most important infertility facts, you should be sure to have the right balance. But, as many women may believe, drugs are not the only solution to balance your hormones.
Three levels of approaches can be considered for balancing hormonal levels: (1) lifestyle changes, (2) alternative approaches and (3) drugs and invasive surgery. For example: There is a type of alternative medicine that doesn't artificially put hormones in your body, but stimulates your body itself to produce only the necessary hormones without the least side effect. Click on the link to read all about the three approaches and their risks at www.natural-hormones.net. |
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Female Infertility FAQ
At what time of the month is a woman most fertile?
The day you start your menstrual period is "Day1". Around "Day 14" you may ovulate and release an egg. This is your most fertile time. However, not all
women ovulate on "Day 14", some ovulate earlier and some later. Your ovulation pattern can vary month to month.
How can a woman know when she ovulates?
One way of determining when you ovulate is to take your basal body temperature (= the temperature of the body at rest, taken immediately after waking up, before any activity)
every morning and record it on a chart. Before and during ovulation, the temperature is higher then usual. Three or four months should be adequate to
share with your doctor. You can also buy an ovulation predictor kit.
How long should we try before we see a doctor?
Most physicians advise you not to be concerned unless you have been trying to conceive for at least one year. If you are over 35 years old and have been trying
for 6 months, you should consult a physician. And if you are over 30 and have a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, painful periods, miscarriage, irregular cycles, or if you know that
your partner has a low sperm count, do not wait one year to see your doctor.
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