
Infertility Women Causes - The Major Issues of Female Infertility
A woman’s ability to ovulate is a key component of successful conception. In short, a woman who has no means of producing an egg will have zero chance of conceiving. The main indicators of a possible ovulation problem are either absent or irregular monthly menstruation.
Real Life Situations
Two of the more common medical conditions involving ovulation are PCOS and POI. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is characterized by a problem with the hormones, which then affects the normal ovulation process. It is the highest recorded cause of 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
- Congested Fallopian tubes because of ectopic pregnancy surgery, pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis
- Physical problems with the uterus
Factors That Increase Infertility Risks
Besides problems with health, genetic and lifestyle factors can also influence infertility among women. To include:
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Poor nutrition
- Age
- Too much physical activity
- Stress
- Being underweight or overweight
- Infections that are sexually transmitted
- Health issues that affect the body’s hormone producing abilities
Infertility Women Causes - The Age Factor
Many American women nowadays do not have children until their 30s and 40s…and one-third of the total number of fertility issues involve women who are more than 35 years old.
What Makes Age Vital To The Fertility Issue?
- Ovaries deteriorate over time, and this affects their egg-releasing capability
- An older woman produces fewer eggs
- The eggs released as not as healthy as a those of a younger woman
- Health problems that may interfere with fertility creep up as the woman gets older
- There is a higher incidence of miscarriage in older women
Drugs To Stimulate Fertility
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 know it by the brand Clomid, which is taken orally.
- Human menopausal gonadotropin: hMG is an injection used to stimulate the ovaries directly so that egg formation occurs. Pergonal and Repronex are just some of the popular brands.
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog: Gn-RH is a medication often prescribed for women who don’t ovulate regularly. It works on the pituitary gland to dictate when ovulation happens. It is available as an injectable or nasal spray form.
- Follicle stimulating hormone: The FSH is also an injectable and acts on the ovaries to encourage ovulation. Common brands are Follistim and Gonal-F.
- Metformin: Metformin is recommended for women with either PCOS or insulin resistance. This drug, often taken simultaneously with clomiphene or FSH, is designed to regulate male hormones levels in women and cause them to ovulate.
- Bromocriptine: Prolactin is a type of hormone that helps mammary glands increase its milk production. Prolactin in sufficient levels causes ovulation to stop. Bromocriptine can slow down the release of prolactin and help make ovulation happen.
Multiple Birth Risk
While fertility medications are known to be very successful in helping a woman finally conceive, they also can lead to the formation and development of more than one fetus. Women who carry more than one fetus are prone to more pregnancy problems than those who carry just one. Multiple fetuses are also more inclined to be born premature…and a prematurely born baby is more at risk of having health problems as he or she grows older.
Fertility drugs can also cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a medical condition which has life threatening implications.
Due to the increased risks to health and the rising expense related to assisted reproductive therapies, alternative routes have become popular to combat infertility. These remedies cover a vast range from natural healing therapies which are meant to help the body repair itself. Some of the more popular alternative treatments include nutritional therapy, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine.
Click here for more information on how to increase pregnancy chances or how to conceive a baby
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