Female Infertility Types

What is Infertility?

The definition of infertility is the inability to conceive after at least a year of frequent, unprotected intercourse.

 

About one-third of infertility cases are caused by female causes, while another third are caused by a combination of male and female factors. In the other situations, the cause is either unknown or a mix of factors related to both genders.

 

It might be challenging to identify the causes of female infertility. Various treatments exist, contingent on the underlying reason of infertility. Many infertile couples will eventually become parents naturally. 

 

Infertility can be a:

• Primary infertility: You have never given birth and are unable to do so even after a year of consistent, unprotected sexual activity (six months if you are 35 years of age or older).
• Secondary infertility: Following at least one successful pregnancy, you are unable to become pregnant again.
• Unexplained infertility: No medical condition has been identified by fertility testing as the cause of an individual's or couple's infertility.

 

Which kinds of infertility are there?

There are multiple types of infertility:

 

• Ovulatory disorders: are caused by irregular or nonexistent menstrual cycles in women, which might interfere with the release of eggs necessary for fertilization.

 

• Tubal Factors: A blocked or damaged fallopian tube can make it more difficult for an egg to go to the uterus and for sperm to reach the egg, which can lead to infertility.

 

• Endometriosis: When tissue that resembles the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, endometriosis develops. It can cause discomfort and irritation, as well as interfere with the process of conception.

 

• Uterine Factors: A fertilized egg's ability to implant may be hampered by abnormalities in the uterus, such as fibroids or structural problems.

 

• Hormonal Imbalances: Disorders affecting the thyroid or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can cause abnormalities in hormone levels, which can interfere with ovulation and impact fertility.

 

• Age-Related Infertility: As women age, both the quality and quantity of eggs decrease, which lowers their fertility.

 

Symptoms:

While infertility may not always have obvious symptoms, there are several indicators that may point to possible problems with conception. Typical symptoms include the following:

 

• Irregular Menstrual Cycles: Periods that are inconsistent or irregular may indicate ovulation issues that could hinder conception.

 

• painful Periods: Endometriosis and other diseases that can affect fertility may be associated with severe cramping during the menstrual cycle or pelvic pain.

 

• Hormonal Imbalances: Variations in hormone levels can cause symptoms such as weight gain, acne, or excessive facial hair growth. Feeling pain or discomfort during sex may be related to diseases that impact the reproductive system.

 

• Unwanted Hair Growth: Hormonal imbalances may be the cause of excessive hair growth on the back, chest, or face.

 

• Changes in Libido: Hormonal problems or other underlying reasons may be the cause of a decline in sexual desire.

 

• Abnormal Discharge: Changes in cervical mucus or unusual vaginal discharge could be signs of an infection or hormonal fluctuations.

 

• Extreme thinness or obesity: Changes in weight can have an impact on fertility and hormone levels.

 

• Underlying Health Conditions: Infertility may be caused by illnesses such as autoimmune diseases, thyroid issues, or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

 

Causes:

While some infertility causes only impact one partner, others impact both. Among the infertile risk factors are:

 

• Age especially if you're in your late 30s or early 40s. Around the age of 50, men's fertility starts to decline.
• Eating disorders, such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa.
• Excessive drinking of alcohol.
• Exposure to poisons found in the environment, including chemicals, lead, and pesticides.
• Exercising too much.
• Chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• Diseases spread by sex (STIs).
• Consuming tobacco goods and smoking. (This conduct contributes to between 13% and 15% of cases of infertility.)
• Substance misuse.
• Being overweight or underweight.
• Anomalies relating to your brain's hypothalamus or pituitary gland, which produce hormones.
• Illnesses and ailments that are persistent.

 

Diagnoses Options:

Additionally, these tests can be used to rule out or diagnose issues:

 

• Examining the pelvis: Your doctor will do this to look for any indications of disease or structural issues.

 

• Blood test: A blood test can measure hormone levels to determine whether you are ovulating or whether hormonal imbalance is the cause.

 

• Transvaginal ultrasound: To check for problems with your reproductive system, your doctor will introduce an ultrasound wand into your vagina.

 

• Hysteroscopy: To inspect your uterus, your doctor will introduce a thin, lighted tube, or hysteroscope, into your vagina.

 

• X-ray (HSG): An injected dye is captured during an X-ray as it passes through your fallopian tubes. This test searches for obstructions.

 

• Laparoscopy: A tiny abdominal incision is made, and your doctor inserts a laparoscope—a thin tube with a camera—into it. It assists in identifying issues such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids and scar tissue.

 

Infertility treatments for females:

The underlying cause of infertility affects the therapy for infertility in females. Among the most popular therapies are:

 

• Ovulation Induction: This procedure entails injecting orally administering medicine to the female in order to induce ovulation.

 

• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): IUI involves injecting sperm into the female uterus directly after they have been processed and chosen for maximum quality and motility.

 

• In vitro fertilization (IVF): is a medical procedure in which eggs are removed from a female's ovaries, fertilized in a lab with sperm, and the resultant embryos are then placed back into the uterus.

 

• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): ICSI is the process of directly injecting one sperm into each egg to fertilize it when the male partner has a low sperm count or poor motility.

 

• Surgery: Physical abnormalities in a woman's reproductive system can occasionally be the cause of infertility. In order to address the problem, surgery might be required to remove uterine fibroids or open a blocked fallopian tube.

 

Infertility Prevention:

The following actions can be taken to safeguard your fertility, particularly when attempting to conceive:

 

• Maintain a healthy weight and consume a food that is well-balanced.
• Don't abuse drugs, smoke, or consume alcohol.
• Get STI treatment.
• Reduce your exposure to poisons in the environment.
• Continue to be physically active, but don't overdo it.
• Don't wait till you're older to get pregnant.
• Participate in fertility preservation techniques, such as freezing sperm or eggs.