Female Infertility Treatment
What is Female Infertility also referred to as Female Factor Infertility
The inability to get pregnant after a year of trying, which can result from a variety of factors.
Infertility results from female factors about one-third of the time
Disorders of ovulation most common cause of infertility in women
Ovulation disorder is marked by disrupted or absence of ovulation. Such women experience irregular or
absent periods.
There are several causes of ovulation disorders. Some are caused by hormonal problems when the pituitary
gland in the brain doesn’t release the proper hormones. It could also be due to an imbalance in the
hormone levels due to stress, diet, exercise, radiation etc.
PCOS is the most common ovulation disorder; PCOS is marked by experience irregular or absent
periods, anovulation, and have ovarian cysts – the production of multiple cysts that blocks ovarian
follicles from producing mature eggs. Ovulation occurs when a mature egg is released from an ovary.
This happens so it can be fertilized by a male sperm. If the egg is not fertilized, it is sent out
of the body during the periods. PCOS is marked by irregular or absent periods, anovulation, and have
ovarian cysts – the production of multiple cysts that blocks ovarian follicles from producing mature
eggs.
In some cases, a woman doesn’t make enough of the hormones needed to ovulate. When ovulation doesn’t
happen, the ovaries can develop many small cysts which adversely impacting the follicles.
Hypothalamic amenorrhea
PCOS is the most common ovulation disorder; PCOS is marked by experience irregular or absent
periods, anovulation, and have ovarian cysts – the production of multiple cysts that blocks ovarian
follicles from producing mature eggs. Ovulation occurs when a mature egg is released from an ovary.
This happens so it can be fertilized by a male sperm. If the egg is not fertilized, it is sent out
of the body during the periods. PCOS is marked by irregular or absent periods, anovulation, and have
ovarian cysts – the production of multiple cysts that blocks ovarian follicles from producing mature
eggs.
In some cases, a woman doesn’t make enough of the hormones needed to ovulate. When ovulation doesn’t
happen, the ovaries can develop many small cysts which adversely impacting the follicles.
Hypothyroidism/Hyperthyroidism
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause infertility by affecting ovulation. With
hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of certain important hormones. Low levels of
thyroid hormone can interfere with the release of an egg from the ovary (ovulation), which impairs
fertility. While, Hyperthyroidism can lead to elevated levels of the protein Sex Hormone Binding
Globulin (SHBG) and the hormone prolactin, which can prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs.
Premature ovarian failure, early menopause & Ovarian insufficiency
Menopause is a stage in life when you no longer can get pregnant. Premature menopause happens to women
assigned female at birth (AFAB) before age 40 and early menopause happens before age 45 while the
average woman goes through menopause at 50 years of age.
Premature menopause isn’t the same as premature ovarian failure (POI). POI is a condition where the
periods stop suddenly and spontaneously, either early or prematurely. People with POI may still ovulate,
menstruate or become pregnant while premature menopause, don’t ovulate or menstruate, and lose the
ability to get pregnant.
Uterine, peritoneal causes
Uterine factor infertility is a condition where a person can’t get pregnant because they either don’t have a
uterus, or their uterus is no longer functioning correctly. This can be congenital (at the time of birth) or
acquired.
Uterine fibroids also called leiomyomas are a common type of noncancerous tumor that can grow in and on
the uterus. Uterine tumors that develop in the cavity, called submucosal fibroids, have the worst effect
on fertility. They can act almost like an IUD, either by preventing a pregnancy from implanting on the
uterine wall or by making it less likely that the pregnancy will remain attached to the wall.
Polyps are small growths that can occur inside of the uterus. Polyps are attached to your endometrial
lining and extend inward into the uterine cavity. They range in size and can grow to a few centimetres
in diameter. Polyps impact fertility by making it more difficult for a fertilized egg to attach to the
uterine walls or block sperm from joining with an egg or block sperm from entering the uterus
Previous pelvic surgery, adhesions
Pelvic adhesions, sometimes referred to as scar tissue, are a common cause of both infertility and
pelvic pain. Pelvic adhesions develop over 90% of the time following a major abdominal surgery. Many
complications can occur as a result of pelvic adhesions. It is estimated that adhesions may be a
significant factor in as much as 40% of cases of infertility
Tubal factor infertility
Fallopian tube problems (a blocked or damaged fallopian tube) can prevent sperm from reaching the egg or
prevent the egg or fertilized egg (zygote) from moving from the ovary to the uterus to be implanted.
Abnormalities in the pelvis, including the uterus (such as uterine fibroids), can prevent the egg from
attaching to (implanting in) the lining of the uterus and can block the fallopian tubes.
The inner lining of Uterus is called the endometrium. At times, a tissue similar to endometrium grows in
places where it doesn’t belong. Endometriosis is an often-painful condition in which tissue that is
similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It often affects the ovaries,
fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis. Rarely, endometriosis growths may be found beyond the
area where pelvic organs are located.
Endometriosis can influence fertility in several ways: distorted anatomy of the pelvis, adhesions,
scarred fallopian tubes, inflammation of the pelvic structures, altered immune system functioning,
changes in the hormonal environment of the eggs, impaired implantation of a pregnancy, and altered egg
quality. Up to 30% to 50% of women with endometriosis may experience infertility.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
PID is an infection of the female reproductive organs transmitted through sexual contact, which if left
untreated can cause problems such as scarring, lifelong pain and infertility.
Pelvic inflammatory disease affects 1 in 10 women with infertility.
Hormonal Disorders
The hormone is a system of chemical communication that our body uses to regulate metabolism, growth,
reproduction etc. Hormones play a critical role in everything that happens in our body Digestion to excretion,
endocrine, muscular, circulation, or reproduction, hormones plays an important role.
Hormones responsible for fertility – while there are several hormones in the human body, a few are responsible
for reproduction. Some of the hormones that affect fertility are
Very important for the regulation of the menstrual cycle and the production of healthy eggs. It
regulates puberty, development, growth, and the reproductive system. In a male, any abnormality in the
level of this hormone can cause either low sperm production or absence of sperm production.
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Similar to FSH, a correct level of LH is also important and prompts the release of the egg, desired
sperm production.
Estrogen:
Estrogen is a crucial hormone for both males and females. It is synthesized by the ovaries, adrenal
glands, and fat cells in the body. In females, it ensures the development of reproductive structures and
female characteristics, such as breasts and pubic hair. It stimulates egg follicle maturation, enhances
vaginal lubrication, fortifies the vaginal lining and halts milk production post-breastfeeding. An
imbalance in estrogen can lead to issues like anovulation or irregular periods, directly affecting a
woman’s fertility.
Progesterone
This hormone plays a vital role in preparing the endometrium for potential pregnancy. Progesterone
enhances endometrium’s thickness to nurture a fertilized egg. It helps to keep uterine muscles relaxed
to prevent rejection of the egg.
When fertilization doesn’t take place, less progesterone levels trigger menstruation. Similarly, if
conception occurs, progesterone supports foetal development and maintains high levels to suppress
ovulation during pregnancy once the placenta develops. low levels can prevent the uterus from properly
preparing for embryo implantation, leading to infertility or miscarriage.
Prolactin
Prolactin originates from the pituitary gland. It plays a crucial role in breast development and the
production of breast milk. It also contributes to the regulation of the menstrual cycle, an essential
element in fertility planning. Elevated levels of prolactin can disrupt the menstrual cycle and
ovulation, causing infertility in women and affecting sperm production in men.
TSH, T3, T4
TSH, secreted by the pituitary gland, prompts the thyroid to release T3 and T4 hormones. Disruptions in
these hormones can lead to thyroid conditions that might negatively impact fertility, such as increased
miscarriage risk, ovulation issues, and irregular menstrual cycles.
The intricate interplay among the thyroid, adrenal glands, and the reproductive system is crucial for
successful conception. Abnormalities in these hormones can disrupt menstrual regularity and ovulation in
women, as well as sperm production and quality in men, which contributes to infertility.
HAVE MORE QUERIES ABOUT FEMALE INFERTILITY AND ITS TREATMENTS? ASK OUR EXPERTS
Contact UsFAQ's
