Many couples struggle with infertility, which can be a very stressful ordeal. The cause of infertility in families is equally divided between men and women. If you or your partner has infertility issues, contact infertility and reproductive medicine in Wayne for help.

Infertility is the inability to conceive a child after 6-12 months of regular unprotected sex. It is also defined as the occurrence of pregnancies that end in stillbirth or miscarriage.

Causes of Infertility in Women

Problems related to ovulation are the primary cause of infertility in women. Additionally, many gynecological abnormalities and conditions may increase your risk of infertility. Below is a list of 5 of the most common causes of infertility in women:

  1. Advanced Age

Advanced maternal age is the most common cause of female-related infertility today. Your fertility is inexplicably tied to your age. At birth, every woman has a fixed number of eggs, which decrease rapidly in number, genetic integrity, and quality as she ages.

Overall, your fertility declines by approximately 40 percent between the age of 30 and 35. It drops even further by the time you are 40. Additionally, aging predisposes you to conditions like endometriosis, which have a significant impact on your fertility.

  1. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition whereby cells like those that line the uterus spread outside it to other parts of the body. The stray tissue leads to inflammation and scarring in these parts. It is associated with pain during sex and period pain and affects 10-50 percent of women.

Endometriosis can cause detrimental damage to ovaries, preventing ovulation. It can also lead to blockage in the fallopian tube and uterus, which may impede the process of implantation.

The condition can only be confirmed and removed by surgery. The removal of endometriosis growth may better your chances of conceiving naturally.

  1. Ovulation Disorders

A regular ovulation cycle is paramount for you to conceive naturally. Ovulation disorders impede your ability to ovulate regularly. The most common ovulation disorder associated with infertility in women is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

PCOS is a hormone imbalance that prevents an egg from being released, thus disrupting your menstrual cycle. You can study your period by using a calendar and see a doctor if your cycles are infrequent or irregular.

  1. Unhealthy Bodyweight

Your weight is another significant factor that affects your fertility. Being overweight or underweight can affect your ovulation and menstrual cycle and increase your chances of infertility.

Generally, if you are overweight, you are at a higher risk of getting a miscarriage and other pregnancy complications. You may also be susceptible to lower success rates with treatments like in-vitro fertilization.

Luckily, relatively small weight changes will significantly improve your chances of naturally conceiving. A weight loss of 5 percent, for example, can help restore normal ovulation.

  1. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

When left untreated, STIs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is the inflammation of the organs and tissues in the pelvis, which results in scarring, narrowing, and, ultimately, blockage of fallopian tubes. The obstruction may trap a fertilized egg causing the fetus to develop outside the uterus.

This condition is called an ectopic pregnancy and is life-threatening.

A blocked fallopian tube can also prevent sperms from reaching your eggs, thus impeding fertilization.  You can resolve PID by having surgery to try to open your fallopian tubes.

Final Thoughts

Knowing what might be causing your infertility is the first step towards getting help. There are many treatment options available to address infertility in women. Your doctor may prescribe medications to improve your ovulation or recommend in vitro fertilization. You can also get surgery to remove any barriers that may affect normal conception.