Infertility is defined as a couple’s inability to become pregnant after one year of unprotected intercourse. In any given year, about 15 percent of couples in North America and Europe who are trying to conceive are infertile.
The fertility of a couple depends upon several factors in both the male and female partner. Among all cases of infertility in developed countries, about 8 percent can be traced to male factors, 37 percent can be traced to female factors, 35 percent can be traced to factors in both the male and female partners, and 5 percent cannot be traced to obvious factors in either partner
CAUSES OF FEMALE INFERTILITY
Age
Women become less fertile as they get older. A woman’s fertility peaks between the ages of 22 to 26, after which it starts to decline, with this decline being accelerated after age 35
Tobacco smoking
Tobacco smoking is harmful to the ovaries,.
Sexually transmitted disease
Sexually transmitted diseases are a leading cause of infertility..
Body weight and eating disorders
Twelve percent of all infertility cases are a result of a woman either being underweight or overweight. Fat cells produce estrogen, in addition to the primary sex organs. Too much body fat causes production of too much estrogen and the body begins to react as if it is on birth control
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy poses a high risk of infertility
Other general factors
- Significant liver or kidney disease
- Thrombophilia
Hypothalamic – pituitary factors
Pituitary Tumors
Pituitary tumors, although usually benign, can lead to destruction of some of the hormone-secreting cells in the pituitary gland, causing cessation of menstrual periods in women and reduced sperm production in men. Because of their location, these tumors also can cause visual field defects.
Hyperprolactinemia
Ovarian factors –
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
In polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), there is a long-term inability to release eggs to the uterus, where they can be fertilized — a process called ovulation. Elevated insulin levels stimulate excess production of the hormone androgen, which cause some of the unfertilized eggs to disintegrate, leading to inconsistent or no ovulation. Most women with PCOS have multiple benign cysts in their ovaries.
- Anovulation. Female infertility caused by anovulation is called “anovulatory infertility”, as opposed to “ovulatory infertility” in which ovulation is present.
- Diminished ovarian reserve
- Premature menopause and Menopause
- Luteal dysfunction
- Gonadal dysgenesis (Turner syndrome)
- Ovarian cancer
Tubal (ectopic) / peritoneal factor
- Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when tissue from the membrane lining the uterus, called the endometrium, grows outside the uterus. Between 25 and 50 percent of infertile women are estimated to have this condition. - Pelvic adhesions
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in the female reproductive organs often occurs after a sexually transmitted disease such as gonorrhea or a chlamydia infection, or after miscarriage, abortion or childbirth. Symptoms include abdominal pain and tenderness, fever and an unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge. Repeated attacks may occur with or without reinfection. About 20 percent of infertility is attributed to scarring from PID. - Tubal occlusion
- Tubal dysfunction
Uterine factors
- Uterine malformations
- Uterine fibroids (leiomyoma)
- Asherman’s Syndrome
Genetic factors
Various intersexed conditions, such as androgen insensitivity syndrome MRKH, or Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome, is a condition involving primary amenorrhea and an underdeveloped uterus. Women with MRKH are biologically female and is believed to occur in 1 in every 5,000 females.
Turner’s Syndrome
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis of infertility begins with a medical history and physical exam. Specialist may order tests, including the following:
Lab tests
Hormone testing, to measure levels of female hormones at certain times during a menstrual cycle
Day 2 or 3 measure of FSH and estrogen, to assess ovarian reserve
Measurements of thyroid function[51] (a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level of between 1 and 2 is considered optimal for conception)
Measurement of progesterone in the second half of the cycle to help confirm ovulation
Examination and imaging
An endometrial biopsy, to verify ovulation and inspect the lining of the uterus
laparoscopy, which allows the provider to inspect the pelvic organs
Fertiloscopy, a relatively new surgical technique used for early diagnosis (and immediate treatment)
Pap smear, to check for signs of infection
Pelvic exam, to look for abnormalities or infection
A postcoital test, which is done soon after intercourse to check for problems with sperm surviving in cervical mucous (not commonly used now because of test unreliability)
Special X-ray tests
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT
Ayurvedic treatment for infertility is our research medication having excellent result.
Some Ayurvedic drugs having good role on hormonal changes of body along with no side effect like allopathic drugs.
Some Ayurvedic procedure like basti is used for obstruction of ovary and fallopian tube.
