The Causes And Treatments Of Female Infertility

Many young couples are afraid to get pregnant because the baby requires so much attention and won’t have time or money for it. That’s why many couples who are sexually active wear protection to prevent pregnancy. Some couples worry about the exact opposite and have trouble becoming pregnant. Infertility is the inability to conceive a child after one year of protected sex. Infertility is usually very frustrating and emotionally difficult for a couple. They want to become pregnant, have likely been hoping to start a family for some time, and have assumed that when the time came, becoming pregnant would not be a problem. When they experience difficulty conceiving, the passing months and even years of trying can be one of the most challenging periods in a couple’s life, for both the potential mother and father. Around 5 million couples or 10% of couples in the United States can fit the definition of infertility.

Causes of Female Infertility

There are many causes of infertility and it will vary from one woman to another. The most common causes of infertility include tubal problems, ovulatory disorders, age, hostile cervical mucus and unexplained infertility. One cause of infertility is tubal factor infertility (TFI). This is when the fallopian tubes are blocked so it prevents the sperm and egg to meet. One of the most common ways for the fallopian tubes to be blocked is from endometriosis. This occurs endometrial like tissue grows outside of the uterus. The tissue can appear in other organs like fallopian tubes or ovaries. Endometriosis has been linked to cause infertility in women but scientists can’t figure out the reason what causes women with endometriosis to become unfertile.

There are three theories on why endometriosis causes infertility. The first one states that peritoneum maybe affected by endometriosis. Scientists found that women with endometriosis, the amount of fluid in the peritoneum often increases. The fluid in the peritoneum can negatively impact the fallopian tubes, ovum, and sperm. The second theory believes that endometriosis can change the lining of the uterus which makes it difficult for the embryo to attach itself to the walls of the uterus which. The final theory states that endometriosis can create adhesion which causes infertility. Adhesions occur when one area gets connected to another area and attempts to heal and creates scar tissue. This tissue can create a barrier for sperm to go up the fallopian tubes. This theory created a common misconception that endometriosis in the tubes will cause infertility in women because it scars the fallopian tubes. This conception usually happens because people mix up endometriosis-associated infertility with pelvic-inflammatory-disease-associated infertility. This means while endometriosis itself doesn’t cause infertility, it can cause infertility due to scarring.

Another reason for blocked fallopian tubes are caused by STIs such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can cause TFI if not treated. These two STI can cause inflammatory disease (PID) which causes infertility. Infections can also occur due to chlamydia and never show any symptoms. Damage to fallopian tubes and uterus from infection and PID can cause infertility. Irregular or lack of ovulation can be the cause of infertility. There are four ovulation disorders which are Polycystic ovary syndrome (POS), Hypothalamic dysfunction, Premature ovarian failure, and too much prolactin. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder affects 6%–21% of women and is the main cause of anovulatory infertility. Age can affect a woman’s fertility. Increased age has been linked to lower fertility.

Increasing age is associated with decreasing fertility, especially in women. As women enter their thirties and early forties, it may take longer to conceive, but this does not necessarily imply that they cannot become pregnant. Approximately 45% of women over 40 who wish to become pregnant eventually do. However, after age 45, the odds become very slim. Of 4.2 million births in the United States during 2009, only 2% were to mothers 45 or older, and the chances of miscarriage, Down syndrome, or other pregnancy complications increased dramatically. The reasons for the drop in fertility during a woman’s forties are not clear, but most researchers agree that it is probably related to a decline in the viability of the aging eggs, which have been present in the woman’s body since before birth.

The final cause of infertility is unexplained infertility and idiopathic infertility. The difference between the two is that idiopathic will show a reason of infertility like abnormal shape sperm but with no explanation while unexplained infertility shows healthy sperm and egg but unable to conceive for an unknown reason. After full fertility examination from both partners, it can be diagnosed. Male InfertilityWhen males are diagnosed with infertility, it is usually a problem with the sperm count, sperm abnormality, vas deferens won’t let sperm cells to pass, or the sperm don’t have the chemicals required to penetrate the egg. The male could have a problem with reproducing. Undescended testicles, enlarged veins in the testes, genetic defects, diabetes, HIV, mumps, gonorrhea, or chlamydia can create abnormal sperm.

Treatments for Infertility

One treatment is several types of treatments to increase the chances of the women or couples to conceive a child. One form of treatment is the use of drugs such as clomiphene citrate which stimulates women’s ovulation, and can also help the quantity and quality of sperm for males. One treatment option for infertility is to use assisted Reproductive technology (ART).

The final and popular decision for couples with infertility, homosexual couples, and singles, can also way adopt children. This option is much cheaper compared to fertility treatment and won’t need to pay for medical bills having a baby in hospital which cost from $3,296 - $37,227 for vaginal birth. Couples who are adopting from a foster care is usually funded by the government which makes adopting very cheap.