Top 5 Causes of Infertility in Women

What is Female Infertility?

Obstacles to pregnancy are usually caused by infertility. It is usually detected after a woman has tried to get pregnant for at least a year without success, with frequent, unprotected sex. Genetics, inherited traits, lifestyle disorders, age, and general health issues may increase chances of infertility.

What are the top 5 causes of infertility in women?

Diagnosing female infertility causes can be challenging. These are the top 5 causes.

1. Age: A woman's chances of infertility increase with age. It has become one of the leading causes of infertility. Infertility risk increases once a woman crosses 35.
2. Hormonal Issues & Abnormal Menstrual Cycles: These interfere with ovulation. Having a menstrual cycle longer than 35 days or shorter than 21 days, irregular or absent period, is a sign that ovulation is not occurring.
3. Weight Issues: Being underweight or overweight; extreme exercise results in a low body fat percentage.
4. Structural Issues: Issues with the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries

• Uterus: Polyps, fibroid, septum or adhesions inside the uterus can cause problems. After a uterine surgery such as a dilation and curettage (D&C), adhesions may form. Also, there may be anomalies at birth (septum). Endometriosis is a major cause of infertility.
• Fallopian Tubes: The tubal factor is an inflammatory disease of the pelvis caused by STIs such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Mycoplasma Genitalium. Additionally, a previous tubal pregnancy (ectopic pregnancy) may cause infertility.
• Ovulation Issues: When a woman does not ovulate regularly, hormonal imbalances result. Ovulation disorders are associated with thyroid disorders (Hashimoto's disease), eating disorders, substance abuse, smoking, auto-immune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis), pituitary tumours, and severe stress.
• Egg Issues: Most women are born with all their eggs, but some (who have fertility issues) run out of eggs before menopause. Eggs may also be lacking enough chromosomes to get fertilised into a healthy foetus. Occasionally, these chromosomal problems affect all eggs. They are more common in older women.
• Ovary: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) are responsible for female infertility. Women with PCOS are most likely to experience infertility.

DES Syndrome: Occurs in women whose mothers were given DES to prevent complications during pregnancy, such as premature birth and miscarriage.

How is infertility diagnosed in women?

Infertility is diagnosed by a gynaecologist. Patient input regarding menstrual cycles, past pregnancies, abdominal surgeries, miscarriages, pelvic pain or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), vaginal bleeding or discharge is taken into consideration. Physical examinations and tests are used to diagnose infertility. Among the tests are:

• Physical Examination: This may include a physical examination of the pelvis and breasts.
• A Pap Smear Test: Pap smears are used to detect cervical cancer in women. Cells are collected from the cervix - the narrow end of the uterus at the top of the vagina - during a Pap Smear.
• Blood Tests: Thyroid tests, prolactin tests, ovarian reserve tests, and progesterone (a hormone released during menstruation that signals ovulation)
• X-Ray Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): A test used to determine if there is a blockage; to rule out blocked fallopian tubes, a dye is injected into the cervix and monitored as it travels through the tube.
• Laparoscopy: The procedure involves inserting a laparoscope into the abdomen to view all the organs.
• Transvaginal Ultrasound: This enables a clear view of organs like the ovaries and uterus.
• Saline Sonohysterogram (SIS): To get a clear view of the uterus during a transvaginal ultrasound, saline (water) is used to fill the uterus. The ultrasound helps detect polyps, fibroids, and other structural abnormalities in the uterus lining.
• Hysteroscopy: The uterus is examined with a hysteroscope (a flexible, thin device with a camera) inserted into the vagina and through the cervix.

Can infertility be treated?

Yes, infertility can be treated in several ways, depending on the cause.

• Medications: For hormonal and ovulation issues
• Surgery: To correct structural abnormality (polyps or fibroids)
• In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF): Artificial insemination (injecting washed sperm into the uterus after ovulation) or In Vitro Fertilisation (fertilising eggs in the lab and implanting the embryos.)
• Gestational Surrogacy and Adoption

Dealing with infertility is extremely stressful for not only the woman, but also for her spouse and family. It will be best if you are under the care of a team of experienced obstetricians and gynaecologists at a medical facility like Apollo Spectra Hospitals - they can diagnose the cause of infertility and help you treat it accordingly.

With a commitment to partnering with women throughout their lives, Apollo Spectra Hospitals provides top-quality gynaecological care. Its fully equipped hospitals offer the most comprehensive gynaecological consultations, in-house diagnostics, and the latest minimally invasive medical procedures for the treatment of infertility.

You may reach out to us by calling 1860-500-4424.