The Most Common Female Fertility Problems

Infertility affects about one in five couples. It is estimated that 30-40% of cases of infertility are caused by a woman, 10-30% by a man and 15-30% by both. This means that in 10-20% of cases the cause of infertility is not found out. Today we are talking about what are the most common fertility problems for women.

Infertility is when a pregnancy has not started after a couple has tried to have a  baby for a year or when a woman is unable to carry a fetus full time.  After this period, different clinical tests will be performed on each side to determine the origin of the problems. It is estimated that about 65% of the factors that cause infertility are treatable.

The most common fertility problems in women

In a woman, the diagnosis of fertility problems is usually started with a menstrual cycle survey to find out if the ovaries are functioning normally, if the eggs are detached, and if the luteal function is adequate for pregnancy. The answers to these questions are obtained with blood samples taken at different stages of the menstrual cycle, in addition to which the development of the follicle is monitored by ultrasound examinations. Vaginal echocardiography also examines the structure and function of the uterine organs and provides indications of ovarian hormonal function. These basic studies can be used to diagnose the most common fertility problems in women, which are fallopian tube damage, ovulation disorders, endometriosis, and various uterine defects.

Tubal damage

The fallopian tubes can become completely blocked, preventing the egg from passing through the uterus to the sperm. Fasteners surrounding the fallopian tubes, pelvic surgeries, endometriosis, malformations, and tumors can also interfere with egg travel in the fallopian tube. The main causes of female infertility are fallopian tube blockages caused by inflammation.

Ovarian dysfunction

In addition to damage to the fallopian tubes, another common cause of infertility is ovarian dysfunction. An irregular and long menstrual cycle can be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome, in which excessive production of male hormones causes the development of the follicle to stop. This is followed by, among other things, menstrual disorders and ovarian detachment disorders. Overproduction of milk hormone and thyroid dysfunction can also cause a disorder of egg maturation, in addition to which ovarian function can also be disrupted due to being overweight or underweight.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis impairs fertility by many mechanisms, not all of which are yet known. In endometriosis, the uterine mucosa occurs as discrete colonies outside the uterus, usually on the surface of the peritoneum in the small pelvis, between the vagina and rectum, or on the surface of the ovaries. These colonies cause a chronic inflammatory reaction in the tissue. Common symptoms of endometriosis include menstrual cramps and intercourse or tremor pain. Other symptoms include heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding and pain in the pelvic area.

Poor quality of oocytes

Impairment of fertility is individual, but in general, after the age of 35, the prognosis of pregnancy decreases significantly. Oocytes are formed as early as fetal age, which means they are as old as the woman herself. With age, the eggs become genetically damaged, which can prevent normal embryonic development, attachment of the embryo to the uterus, or cause recurrent miscarriages.