Female Infertility

As told earlier, female infertility can come from problems in different parts of the reproductive tract. Here are some of the prominent reasons behind female infertility.

1: Ovulation Disorders

Ovulation is the process in which one out of two ovaries releases a mature egg every month. Disorders that are associated with ovulation serve as an important reason behind the female factor infertility. Here are some of the common ovulation disorders that are important to know about. These include:

• PCOS - PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome is a common condition in which there are cysts in your ovaries that affect ovulation.
• Hypothalamic Dysfunction - In this case, there is a problem with the hypothalamus function that affects the production of hormones required for normal sexual development or function. It affects the level of the following hormones  that are responsible for egg production and release:
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) - required for the synthesis of egg
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH) - plays role in the release of eggs from the ovaries
• Estrogen - is required for healthy menstruation
• Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) - It is the condition in which female ovaries stop functioning before she enters her 40s. POI is mainly caused by cancer therapies, chromosomal changes, or autoimmune disorders.
• Excess Prolactin - Prolactin is mainly responsible for breast milk production among females. However, too much prolactin in the body can affect the levels of other hormones such as FSH resulting in female infertility.

2: Fallopian Tube Problems (Tube Infertility)

Fallopian tube problems are the next prominent cause of female infertility. The fallopian tube, also known as a uterine tube or oviduct, is the tube-like structure that links the ovary (site of egg production) to the uterus (womb where the fertilized egg is implanted). It is mainly responsible for the transport of eggs from the ovary.  Any damage or blockage of the fallopian tube can result in female infertility as it prevents egg and sperm fusion. Here are some of the causes of fallopian tube damage.

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - Sexually transmitted bacteria infection results in the inflammation of fallopian tubes
• Ectopic Pregnancy - A history of ectopic pregnancy (in which a fertilized egg starts growing in parts outside of your womb) can also result in scarring of fallopian tubes
• Pelvic Surgery - Abdominal or pelvic surgery is another important reason behind the blockage of the tubes by scarring.

3: Uterine Problems

Sometimes problems with your uterus or womb can also contribute to female infertility. Here are the uterine troubles that are important to know about:

• Uterine Polyps or Fibroids - Overgrowth of cells that are usually localized in the uterine lining (polyps) or uterine walls (fibroids) that can interfere with female fertility.
• Abnormal Uterine Shape - Sometimes women are born with an abnormally shaped uterus that can cause infertility in later years.

4: Cervical Problems

Just like all other parts of the reproductive system, cervical problems can also contribute to female infertility. These include:

• Cervical Stenosis - This is the narrowing of the cervical opening that prevents the entry of sperm into the female body.
• Cervical Mucus - Sometimes abnormal production of cervical mucus can also interfere the sperm entry or result in sperm damage.

5: Unknown Causes

Sometimes there is no exact known cause of female infertility and the problem could be coming from a combination of minor factors.