Healthcare experts define infertility as a couple’s inability to get pregnant despite having unprotected sex regularly for at least a year. According to statistics, 10 to 15 percent of couples in the United States are infertile. Understanding the cause of the problem can be the first step in seeking treatment from an infertility Buckhead specialist and increasing your chances of conceiving. And while both women and men can be infertile, here is a look at the possible causes of infertility in women.
1. Fallopian Tube Damage
The fallopian tube ensures sperm reaches the egg so fertilization can occur. This may explain why fallopian tube damage is responsible for 1 in every five infertility cases treated. When this organ is scarred or blocked, it may prevent fertilization or hinder a fertilized egg from getting implanted in the uterus. Fallopian damages can be caused by many conditions, including:
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: PID is an infection caused by STIs like chlamydia. It causes scarring and damage to the fallopian tubes.
- Fibroids: Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that appear in or around the uterus. They can block the fallopian tube or prevent eggs from implanting in the uterus.
- Endometriosis: This condition is characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, including in the ovaries. It can damage the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
- A previous ectopic pregnancy, where the egg is implanted outside the uterus.
2. Ovulation Irregularities
Ovulation ensures your body releases healthy eggs that can be fertilized to make you pregnant. If your ovulation cycle is irregular or abnormal, you may have trouble conceiving. Ovulation problems can be caused by hormonal imbalances, such as when the female sex hormones – estrogen, FSH, LH – are released in the wrong amounts or at the wrong time.
3. Some Medications
It seems obvious that illegal drugs like cocaine and marijuana can affect your fertility and disrupt your ovulation. However, even some prescription medications can cause similar results. Healthcare experts especially advise against the prolonged use of NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen. Chemotherapy drugs are also sometimes known to cause ovarian failure, and medicines used to treat psychosis can lead to missed periods. If you suspect the drugs you are taking may be behind your infertility, discuss your medical history with your gynecologist to find suitable replacements.
4. Maternal Age
Women are born with all their eggs, but their number and quality reduce over time. In fact, between the ages of 35 and 40, most women will lose about two-thirds of their fertility potential. That said, there are therapies and methods doctors can use to help older mothers conceive.
5. Other Causes
Other reasons you may be having trouble getting pregnant include the following:
- Too High or Low BMI: It is easier for women with a BMI of between 20 and 27 to conceive than women below or above this range. This is because a too-high or too-low BMI can lead to hormonal imbalances.
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS results in a hormonal imbalance that signals the body to produce more testosterone than you need, affecting ovulation.
- STIs: STIs like gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause pelvic infections and affect conception.
- Scarring: After pelvic surgery, you may form scarring in the fallopian tubes, leading to blockage.
Month after month of negative pregnancy tests can be discouraging. But while infertility can be distressing, the experts at Ideal Gynecology, LLC offer many medical interventions to increase your chances of conceiving. Call the Atlanta office today to schedule a consultation with fertility experts Kathryn Garren Inan, Clara Jones, FNP, Tiffany Morgan, WHNP, and Lillian Schapiro, MD.
