What is Female Infertility?
Female infertility is defined as a medical condition where a woman is unable to get pregnant despite a year or six months of trying or inability to maintain the pregnancy due to psychological, physical, mental, spiritual, and medical detriments to the patient.
Symptoms of Female Infertility
- Unable to conceive.
- Irregularity or absence of menstrual cycle: The person has a too-long or too-short menstrual cycle or absence of a menstrual cycle.
- Hormonal imbalance can lead to fertility issues.
Causes of Female Infertility
- Tubal disorders caused due to unsafe abortion, ectopic pregnancy surgery, untreated STDs, and endometriosis.
- Uterine disorders caused due to fibroids, and septate uterus.
- Ovaries disorders include Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
When to see a doctor?
- For ages up to 35, a person should try getting pregnant for a year at least before any tests or treatments.
- For ages between 35 and 40, consult with the doctor after trying for 6 months.
- For ages more than 40, the doctors will suggest diagnosis and treatment immediately.
Risk factors of female infertility
- Age: The number and quality of eggs decrease with an increase in age.
- Weight conditions such as being overweight or underweight may affect ovulation.
- Sexual history: A history of Sexually Transmitted Diseases or unprotected intercourse with multiple partners can lead to infertility.
- Environmental factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and poor diet may interfere with reproductive health.
Treatments/Remedies for female infertility
- Lifestyle changes: Abnormal BMI may lead to abnormal ovulation.
- Medications such as Clomiphene or clomiphene citrate, Letrozole, Gonadotrophins, or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), may be given as per the advice of the doctor.,
- Surgeries such as laparoscopic or hysteroscopic surgery and tubal surgery may increase the rate of chances of getting pregnant.
- Reproductive assistance such as intrauterine insemination and assisted reproductive technology is the most effective way to treat infertility issues.
Conclusion
Infertility is one of the most common health disorders and should be treated to get pregnant and prevent complications during pregnancy. It should be treated by a number of treatments available upon consultation with the doctor.
FAQs
- Do the fertile days of the menstrual cycle varies from month to month?
The fertility is highest one to two days before ovulation and varies in every cycle.
- Can STDs interfere with fertility?
Yes, STDs can lead to serious complications in women which can cause irreversible damage to reproductive organs.
- Is IVF a simple and cost-effective procedure?
No, IVF is a complex process where the eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory and is an expensive procedure.
Tests
- Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) Test measures the level of AMH in the blood which is responsible for the development of sex-organs in the fetus.
- Estrogen and Progesterone Levels Test measures the level of estrogen and progesterone in the blood which is responsible for female reproductive health.
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test measures the level of FSH and LH in the blood responsible for sexual development and functioning.
Risk factors associated with the tests
There is a very minor risk of the blood tests where you may have mild pain or injection site bruising.
How to prepare for the test?
- Inform the diagnostic clinic about your expected menstrual period since it is done at the start of the cycle.
- Drinking enough water as a urine test may also be done.
Results of the tests
- A high level of AMH indicates that chances are better for conceiving and low levels indicate that there will be difficulty getting pregnant.
- A high level of FSH indicates primary ovarian insufficiency and polycystic ovarian syndrome; a low level indicates ovaries are not making enough eggs or the pituitary gland is not working properly.
When to see a doctor?
If the levels of the hormones are low or high, consultation with the doctor is mandatory to evaluate infertility and further treatments.
Conclusion
The diagnosis of infertility should be done as soon as symptoms appear to get the treatment and to prevent complications in pregnancy. It may be tested as per the age and symptoms of the person and the person should consult the doctor or seek treatment.
Request an appointment at
Apollo Fertility, Varanasi
Call 1860-500-4424 to book an appointment
It should be tested if you are actively trying to get pregnant with unprotected intercourse regularly, for more than a year.
There are a number of tests that will be done by your doctor to evaluate the issues more precisely.
A gynecologist can conduct the tests such as an overall physical exam, pelvic exam and ultrasound, transvaginal ultrasound, and ovulation testing.
Treatments
