Fertility problems in women
There’s
no doubt that you’re more fertile the younger you are, but aside from your age
there are several other common factors that can reduce your chances of
conceiving a baby, including problems with ovulation, a damaged fallopian tube
or uterus, hormone imbalances, or medical issues such as thyroid problems.
Here
are some of the most common…
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
This
severe infection of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes is one of the
consequences of the sexually transmitted disease Chlamydia, and is thought to affect
up to one million women each year. It causes scar tissue to develop on your
reproductive organs, and block your fallopian tubes, preventing your partner’s
sperm from reaching your egg. The scar tissue can also prevent a fertilized egg
from reaching the uterus, potentially resulting in an ectopic pregnancy, which in itself can lead to
fertility problems if your fallopian tube is badly damaged by it.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a common condition in which
the lining of the uterus or the endometrium spreads to your ovaries, pelvis and
fallopian tubes. Endometriosis can interfere with ovulation and conception and
can also cause repeated miscarriage. If you have very painful periods with severe abdominal or pelvic pain, see your physician.
Abnormal cervical mucus
If
the mucus around your cervix is particularly thick, it can prevent your
partner’s sperm from swimming though into the uterus to meet your egg. Not
producing enough mucus can also affect fertility as the sperm needs it to help
it get to the egg.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
This
occurs when your body starts to produce abnormally large amounts of the male
hormone testosterone, and also excessive amounts of LH (luteinizing hormone).
This affects your ability to ovulate and therefore to have regular menstrual
periods. This is why it is very important to see your physician if you’re
having irregular or absent periods, whatever your age. The sooner PCOS is
diagnosed and treatment is started, the better chance you will have to restore
your ovarian function.
Early menopause
Most
women have their last period at around 50 years old, but premature menopause or
ovarian failure is defined as the onset of menopause before the age of 45. A
good indication is to ask your mom when her menopause started, as you’ll
usually follow the same pattern. If your periods suddenly become very
irregular for no apparent reason it may be the start of premature menopause –
it can be detected with a simple blood test. When your ovaries begin to fail,
your brain sends out more of the hormone FSH that stimulates your ovaries into
working harder. If you have high levels of FSH in your blood, it may indicate a
problem.
Fibroids
Fibroids
are benign muscle growths that develop on the wall of the uterus. They can
affect the normal implantation of the embryo in the uterus, and can stop the
fertilized egg reaching the uterus at all. Fibroids are more common in women
over 35 but can be removed in a fairly simple operation. If you’ve experienced
two or more miscarriages or have irregular, painful periods, or no periods at all, it could
be the sign of something more serious, so make an appointment with your GP who
can refer you to a fertility expert if there is a more serious problem.
If
you’d like to talk to other women about these issues, why not check out our chat forum,
where you can post messages, or our questions pages where you can find more answers than anywhere else.
The information in this feature is intended for
educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the
health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a
doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 02/05/2007
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