Infertility Women Causes - The Main Causes Of Fertility Problems In Women
A woman's ovulation is a essential component of conception. To make it simple, a female who does not produce an egg can have no baby. The primary indicators of a potential problem with ovulation are either totally absent or intermittent monthly menstrual periods.
Medical Conditions
PCOS and POI are 2 of the more common issues regarding ovulation. Polycystic ovarian syndrome affects the normal course of ovulation and is defined as a hormal problem. This is the highest recorded reason for female infertility.
On the other hand, primary ovarian insufficiency, is a condition wherein the female's ovaries cease to function properly before she turns 35 years old. POI is often thought to be early menopause, which is a condition that is entirely different.
Other Related Causes
There are other uterine problems that also contribute to infertility.
- Uterual Fibroids (i.e. non-cancerous bumps on the uterine walls
- Clogged Fallopian tubes because of ectopic pregnancy surgery, pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis
- Physical problems with the uterus
Factors That Increase Infertility Risks
Aside from problems with one's health, genes and lifestyle factors can also contribute to female infertility. These would include:
- Cigarette smoking & alcohol consumption
- Poor diet
- Getting older
- Too much physical activity
- Stress
- Overweight or underweight conditions
- Sexually related diseases
- Health issues that affect the body's hormone producing abilities
Infertility Women Causes - The Age Factor
Many working women these days do not have children until their 30s and 40s...and one third of all fertility issues involve the female being 35 years or older.
Why Does Age Matter To Fertility?
- Ovaries deteriorate over time, and this affects their egg-releasing capability
- Generally speaking, an older female will produce less eggs than when she was young
- Eggs released by an older woman are not as potent
- Older women may experience healthy issues that interfere with her fertility
- Incidence of miscarriage increases with age
Fertility Stimulating Medications
These drugs are often prescribed for women who have fertility problems.
- Clomiphene citrate: Often recommended for women with PCOS and hormonal related malfunctions. You might recognize it by its popular brand Clomid, an oral drug.
- Human menopausal gonadotropin: hMG is an injection used to stimulate the ovaries directly so that egg formation occurs. Repronex and Pergonal are two of the more popular medication brands.
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog: Gn-RH is a medication often prescribed for women who don't ovulate regularly. It acts on one's pituitary gland and influences the timing of the ovulation process. It can be purchased either as a nasal spray or in injection form.
- Follicle stimulating hormone: The FSH is also an injectable and acts on the ovaries to encourage ovulation. Popular brands are Gonal-F and Follistim.
- Metformin: Metformin is recommended for females who are either highly resistant to insulin or are diagnosed with PCOS. This medication, which is often taken with FSH or clomiphene, can help balance and regulate the male hormones in the female body and eventually assist women in the ovulation process.
- Bromocriptine: Prolactin is a type of hormone that helps mammary glands increase its milk production. Sufficient levels of prolactin may cause a stop in ovulation. Bromocriptine acts directly on prolactin, slowing it down, so that ovulation can occur.
Multiple Birth Risk
While fertility drugs can and often do succeed at helping women conceive, they can also result in the formation of multiple fetuses. Females with multiple fetuses have the higher risk of developing pregnancy problems than women who carry a single fetus. Multiple fetuses are also more inclined to be born premature...and a baby born prematurely has a higher risk of health issues going forward.
Fertility medications may lead to ovarian hyperstimulation, which is a medical condition that may threaten mortality.
Because of these health risks & the high cost of assisted reproductive technology, alternative methods have become popular for overcoming infertility without adverse side effects. These remedies cover a vast range from natural healing therapies which are meant to help the body repair itself. Some of the common alternative therapies include Chinese medicine, acupuncture and nutrition-based treatments.
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