“And so it was.. That she having waited long & endured patiently, realized & obtained..WHAT GOD HAD PROMISED”
– Hebrews 6:15
Getting pregnant and carrying a pregnancy to term are actually very complicated processes.Many things can go wrong during these processes to lead to infertility.
What is female infertility?Female infertility refers to infertility in female humans. Infertility is defined as trying to
get pregnant (with frequent intercourse) for at least a year with no success.
What causes female infertility?
- Tubal factor: Any injury to the fallopian tube can cause infertility. Fallopian tube is a structure that carries eggs from ovary to uterus. They can get damaged when scars form after pelvic infections,endometriosis, and pelvic surgery. That can prevent sperm from reaching an egg in the tube. The egg and sperm meet in the tube.
- Uterine trouble:polyps and fibroids that interfere with getting pregnant. Uterine polyps occur when too many
cells grow in the endometrium,the lining of the uterus.Fibroids grow in the wall ofthe uterus. - “Unexplained” infertility.For about 20% of couples who have infertility problems, the exact causes are never
pinpointed. - The most common overall cause of female infertility is the failure to ovulate, which occurs in 40% of women with infertility issues. Not ovulating can result from several causes, such as:
A} ovarian condition such as pcos
B} aging including diminished ovarian reserve.
C} endocrine disorders such as thyroid or hypothalamic issues.
D} Lifestyle and environmental factors
Are you suffering with infertility?? Are you at risk??
Many factors can increase a woman’s risk of female
infertility. General health conditions, genetic (inherited) traits, lifestyle choices and age can all contribute to female infertility. Specific factors can
include:
- Age
- Hormone issue that prevents ovulation.
- Abnormal menstrual cycle.
- Obesity.
- Being underweight.
- Having a low body-fat content from extreme exercise.
- Endometriosis.
- Structural problems (problems with the fallopian tubes, uterus or ovaries).
- Uterine fibroids.
- Cysts and Tumors.
- Autoimmune disorders
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
- Primary Ovary Insufficiency (POI).
- Excessive substance use (heavy drinking).
- Smoking.
- DES syndrome
- A past ectopic (tubal)pregnancy.
How to diagnose??
- Hysterosalpingogram (HSG):This is an X-ray procedure to see if the fallopian tubes areopen and to if the shape of the uterine cavity is normal.
- Transvaginal Ultrasonography: An ultrasound probe placed in the vagina allows the clinician to check the uterus and ovaries for abnormalities such as fibroids and ovarian cysts.
- Ovarian Reserve Testing:The most common test to evaluate ovarian reserve is a blood test for folliclestimulating hormone (FSH) drawn on cycle day 3.
- Other Blood Tests: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin levels are useful to identify thyroid disorders and hyperprolactinemia,which may cause problems with fertility, menstrual irregularities, and repeated miscarriages.
Treatment protocol!
Laparoscopy: If you’ve been diagnosed with tubal or pelvic disease, one option is to get surgery to reconstruct your reproductive organs. Your doctor puts a laparoscope through a cut near your belly button to get rid of scar tissue, treat endometriosis, open blocked tubes, or remove ovarian cysts, which are fluidfilled sacs that can form in the ovaries.
- Hysteroscopy: In this procedure, your doctor places a hysteroscope into your uterus through your cervix. It’s used to remove polyps and fibroid tumors, divide scar tissue, and open up blocked tubes.
- Medication: If you have ovulation problems, you may be prescribed drugs such as clomiphene citrate (Clomid, Serophene), gonadotropins (such as Gonal-F, Follistim, Humegon and Pregnyl), or
letrozole.
- Intrauterine insemination: For this procedure, after semen gets rinsed with a special solution, a doctor places it into your uterus when you’re ovulating. It’s sometimes done while you’re taking meds that help trigger the release of an egg.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF): In this technique, your doctor places embryos into your uterus that were fertilized in a dish.
- ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection): A doctor injects sperm directly into the egg in a dish and then places it into your uterus
- Egg donation. This can help you if you have ovaries that don’t work right but you have a normal uterus. It involves removing eggs from the ovary of a donor who has taken fertility drugs. After in vitro fertilization, your doctor transfers the fertilized eggs into your uterus.
You’re not the only ones struggling with the challenge of achieving fertility. Get the support you need to make it through the journey
