Female Infertility

Problems with ovulation account for most infertility in women. Without ovulation, eggs are not available to be fertilised.

Simple Ovulation Observations

For a woman, the first step in testing is to find out if she is ovulating each month. There are several ways to do this.

Signs of problems with ovulation include irregular menstrual periods or no periods.

Female’s Age and Infertility

Aging is an important factor in female infertility. The ability of a woman’s ovaries to produce eggs declines with age, especially after age 35.

About one-third of couples where the woman is over 35 will have problems with fertility.

By the time a woman reaches menopause, monthly periods stop for good, can no longer produce eggs or become pregnant.

Other Causes Of Female Infertility

Areas that lead to infertility in women include

• Lifestyle factors – including stress, diet, or athletic training – can affect a woman’s hormonal balance
• Ovulation problems or lack of, especially in polycystic ovarian syndrome*
• Pituitary-ovarian disturbance, Pituitary tumours like prolactinoma (produce high amounts of prolactin, a hormone that induces the production of breast milk), can prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs.
• Damaged fallopian tubes: Fallopian tubes carry the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. Any damage to them can affect the fertilization of the egg by the sperm. Pelvic surgeries and infections can cause the formation of scar tissue that can damage your fallopian tubes.
• Abnormalities of the cervix and uterus: Abnormal mucus production in the cervix, problems with the cervical opening, abnormal shape and presence of benign tumours in the uterus can all contribute to infertility.
• Premature menopause: Mostly caused by a condition known as primary ovarian insufficiency, premature menopause occurs when menstruation stops before the age of 40. The exact cause of this condition is unknown, though various treatments for cancer and abnormalities with the immune system have been known to contribute to it.
• Adhesions: Bands of scar tissue can form in the pelvis after an infection or surgery.
• Other medical conditions: Diabetes, endometriosis, thyroid disorders, and sickle cell disease or kidney diseases can affect the fertility of a woman.
• Medications: Certain medications have been known to cause temporary infertility. Stopping those medications can restore fertility in most cases.