Infertility problems
August 18, 2009 in Women's Health by Dr. Peter
Women’s health & fitness guide
Sometimes the cause of infertility isn’t known and research has shown that both men and women suffer from problems known to cause infertility, with sometimes multiple factors playing a part in the cause. There are numerous reasons the woman can be infertile such as hormone imbalances, problems with the fallopian tubes, endometriosis and problems with the reproductive organs.
In men the cause of infertility is due to the number of sperm they produce or blocked spermatic cords. The infertility could be caused by any one of these reasons or by a mixture of them, with sometimes the reason being unclear.
Infertility problems in the woman
Ovulation problems
In order for the release and growth of an egg to take place a balance must be struck between the oestrogen, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone and the luteinising hormones. When one or more of these becomes imbalanced then ovulation disorders can occur these disorders are the number one reason for infertility in a woman.
Damage to the fallopian tubes
Fertilization of the egg takes place in the fallopian tubes and occasionally there can be either a full or partial blockage of the fallopian tubes this will then prevent fertilization from being successful. The fallopian tubes can also become damaged due to bacterial infection, some sexually transmitted diseases and complications which can arise from surgery.
Uterus and cervical disorders
Fibroids or polyps which are benign growths can grow on the uterus walls, they can them interfere with the embryo successfully attaching to the wall of the uterus. Sometimes the shape and texture of the cervix mucus can change this will then make it very hard for the sperm to successfully penetrate the egg.
Endometriosis
This is a condition where the lining of the uterus forms outside of the reproductive system; this can then block the fallopian tubes and cause problems with conception.
Polycystic ovaries
The woman’s ovaries can contain lots of small cysts which will make the ovary larger than normal, women suffering from this condition might have trouble with their periods and may not ovulate resulting in infertility.
Ovarian failure
This problem is associated with medical treatments for problems such as ovarian tumours. Ovarian failure is often the result of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for pelvic for cancer in other parts of the body.
Age
Age often plays a critical role in infertility as the reproductive function declines from the age of 35 onwards; woman can only produce a certain amount of eggs unlike the man who can produce unlimited sperm. The older a woman gets the less eggs she has left and the quality of the eggs also declines the older the woman gets older. Aging can also have an affect on the reproductive organs and the increase of miscarriage also gets higher.