Female infertility - Symptoms, Diagnosis and treatment

by Indira IVF Indira IVF Center For IVF, IUI, ICSI Treatment

Infertility is the inability of a couple together to get pregnant despite having unprotected intercourse for at least a year. It can arise from an issue with you or your partner. Fortunately, there are several safe and effective female infertility treatment options available that can improve the chances of getting pregnant.

female infertility Symptoms

The main symptom of infertility is no pregnancy. There are no other common symptoms. However, an infertile woman may have absent or irregular menstrual periods. Sometimes, an infertile man can show signs of hormonal problems like change in sexual function voice or hair growth. You should see a doctor only if you have been trying to get pregnant for over a year. There are some signs that might suggest seeing a doctor.

For women:

            •           Age is over 35.
            •           Menstruation is irregular
            •           Painful periods
            •           Known fertility problems
            •           Multiple miscarriages
            •           Undergone treatment for cancer

• History of Tuberculosis

For men:

            •           History of prostate, testicular or sexual problems
            •           Low sperm count
            •           Undergone treatment for cancer – Radiation or Chemotherapy
            •           Small-sized testicles
            •           Swelling in scrotum (varicocele)
            •           Family history of infertility problems

• History of Mumps & Tuberculosis

female infertility Causes

The issues that cause infertility are present at birth or can be developed later in life. The female infertility may include:

· Ovulation disorders disrupt the release of the eggs from the ovaries. These include hormonal disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome, Hyperprolactinemia (too much production or prolactin – a hormone that stimulates the milk production in breasts). Hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) and Hyperthyroidism (too little thyroid hormone) can also cause infertility. Other causes include eating disorders, excessive exercise, tumors, or injuries.

· Cervix abnormalities are one of the most common reasons for female infertility. Benign tumors of ovaries uterine fibroids can also result in infertility.

· Blocked Fallopian Tubes are one of the reasons for Infertility.

· Pelvic inflammatory disease can cause damage or blockage to the fallopian tubes. Endometriosis, or sexually transmitted infection or tuberculosis can also lead to blocked fallopian tubes.

· Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrial tissue starts growing outside the uterus. This stops the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes from performing their functions. It also leads to painful periods & infertility.

· Primary ovary insufficiency is on set of early menopause where the ovaries stop working prematurely. The exact cause of this is unknown although some factors like smoking, turner syndrome, chemotherapy, etc. make you more vulnerable to the condition.

· Pelvic adhesions are the bands of scar tissue through which the organs are stick together after a surgery, appendicitis, or pelvic infection.

· Conditions like celiac disease, lupus, genetic abnormalities, and diabetes in both partners are also responsible for causing infertility.

female infertility Diagnosis

Female Infertility can be examined by:

1. Ovulation testing: It is a blood test that determines if you are ovulating by measuring the basal body temperature, certain hormone levels in our body or quality of Cervical Mucus. These are now Obsolete.

2. Hysterosalpingography: In this test, the uterus and fallopian tubes are checked for blockages or other problems. After the uterus in injected with the X-ray contrast, an X-ray is taken to check the cavity and to ensure that the fluid gets out of the fallopian tube.

3. Ovarian reserve testing: This test is used to determine the egg’s quality and quantity for ovulation. Anti- Molecular hormone is used to estimate no. of eggs in the body. These tests check levels of pituitary as well as ovulatory hormones.

4. Imaging tests: Pelvic ultrasound is used to look out for diseases in uterine or fallopian tube. A 3D ultrasound can be used to see the details not available on a normal ultrasound. Reserve is confirmed with Antral Follicle Count (AFC) on ultrasound.

5. Laparoscopy: This is a minimally invasive surgery that involves inserting a small viewing device through an incision beneath the uterine structure. The test can be used to look for scarring, irregularities, blockages, or endometriosis in Fallopian Tubes, It is a method to diagnose as well as treat condition.

female infertility Treatment

Here are some of the treatment options for female infertility methods:

1. Fertility drugs: If the woman is infertile due to ovulation disorders, fertility drugs are the way to go. These medications can induce ovulation.

2. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): This is one of the most common female infertility treatment options. In this procedure, healthy sperm are placed in the uterus when the eggs are released from the ovaries. The timing of IUI needs to be coordinated with the menstrual cycle and fertility drugs.

3. Surgery: This female infertility treatment method deals with issues like intrauterine scar tissue, uterine structural abnormalities, and endometrial polyps and can be corrected using a hysteroscopy surgery.

4. IVF: In vitro fertilization or IVF is a common assisted reproductive technique that retrieves mature eggs from a woman and fertilizes them with a sperm in a lab. This embryo is then implanted in the uterus 3-5 days after fertilization.

Although, with all these treatment methods, you can never be sure if you will get pregnant or not, but there are some ways that can develop increase your chances of getting pregnant.

            1.         Say no to smoking, alcohol, or drugs
            2.         Limit caffeine intake
            3.         Avoid weight extremes
            4.         Exercise moderately