Causes of Female Infertility
Lots of women all over the world have been given a chance to give
birth to children because doctors now have a better understanding of the causes of female
infertility. There are many reasons why a couple is childless and a
detailed understanding of female infertility helps doctors offer them customized solutions to their problem. The
depth and extent of knowledge that fertility doctors now have and the high tech equipments and techniques they now
have access to make it possible for couples to surmount hurdles that were previously considered impossible to
overcome.
One of the main causes of female infertility, apart from age factor,
is hormonal problems. There
are many hormones that are required for the reproductive system to function
properly. In fact, it is this complex balance of hormones that causes ovulation to take place in the desired manner
and according to the correct schedule.
The pituitary gland has a very important role to play here because it is responsible
for secreting certain hormones that control ovulation. It is responsible for the production of two very important
hormones, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), without which ovulation will not take
place. It goes without saying that it is impossible for a woman to get pregnant if she simply does not have eggs in
her body. There are certain instances when the hypothalamus of the woman malfunctions, thereby causing the
pituitary gland to malfunction.
Another cause of female infertility is a physical reason that prevents the egg from
being fertilized by the sperm or from getting implanted successfully if it does get fertilized. There are many
women who suffer from blockages in the fallopian tube that prevent the egg from descending into the uterus. The
fallopian tubes usually get scarred due to infections brought upon by sexually transmitted diseases, pelvic
inflammatory disease or abdominal diseases. There are some women who are born with badly formed tubes and even
uterus. Many women also have scarring in the ovaries that prevent the eggs from forming.
The inability of the fertilized egg to implant itself on the walls of the uterus is
another of the causes of female infertility. A woman who has
scarring in the uterus due to prior infections will find it very hard to get pregnant. Certain women’s bodies
contain antibodies to sperm, as a result of which they don’t stand the slightest chance of getting pregnant
naturally.
A growing cause for concern is the increasing incidence of premature ovarian failure
in modern women. Simply, put this means the early onset of menopause, when the woman’s menstrual cycle comes to an
end. It can be brought upon by a variety of reasons, but lifestyle reasons are very significant. Medical studies
indicate that women who have a long history of low body weight and who like to exercise very much reach menopause
much faster than women who have normal weight. Women who smoke a lot and who consume alcohol in excessive
quantities are also believed to reach menopause faster.
The onset of menopause is bad news indeed for women because it is irreversible and
indicates that the woman will no longer be able to have her biological child because she has no more eggs in her
body. It is very important for women to have regular menstrual cycles because this is an indicator of good
reproductive health.
If low body weight has a negative impact on a woman’s ability to reproduce then the
opposite is also unfortunately true. Women who are excessively overweight also find it very hard to get pregnant.
One of the most important things that women have to do in case they are finding it difficult to conceive a child is
follow a healthy lifestyle that includes the right kind of food as well as the optimum amount of
exercise.
It should also be mentioned that there are many environmental factors that contribute
to female infertility. There are many toxins in the air, soil and water that enter the body and cause a whole lot
of health problems apart from reducing fertility. The presence of pesticides in water and food is one of the
leading causes of female infertility in certain areas where they are found in abundance.
While there are undoubtedly many causes of female infertility that have to be
addressed in case a couple is finding it difficult to get pregnant, it is important to note that not all problems
lie with the women. Increasing numbers of men are suffering from problems such as low sperm count and low sperm
motility. It is therefore very important for the couple to visit a fertility doctor together so that the man too
can undergo a male infertility test in order to eliminate this as a
possible cause of their childlessness. The doctor will only be able to offer a solution when the entire picture is
clear.
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