Fertility risk factors for 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.