What Causes Female Infertility?
Ovulation problems are the primary cause of female infertility. If ovulation does not occur, no eggs may be fertilized. However, there are also many contributing factors that can affect a woman’s ability to have a baby. These include:
Age - Fertility peaks for both men and women in their mid-twenties. Most healthy women under the age of 30 generally do not have to be concerned about infertility unless they have been trying to get pregnant for at least a year. If much time has passed, women should consult their obstetrician or gynecologist for a fertility evaluation. Infertility increases with age. Women in their 30's who have been trying to get pregnant for six months should consult with their doctor. For a woman over the age of 35, conceiving may become a problem.
Weight - Maintaining a healthy body weight is vital for fertility. Being Overweight (Weight Loss)or obese combined with a lack of exercise leads to excessive fat deposition which may cause ovulation problems, resulting in infertility. A low body weight and chronic dieting are also associated with Amenorrhea - Menstruation Problems or loss of menstrual cycles, making it difficult for ovulation to occur.
Stress - High Stress levels may interfere with ovulation and the body’s ability to conceive. When planning to fall pregnant, women should learn to manage their stress through relaxation techniques.
Smoking - Smoking may affect your ability to fall pregnant. Women run the risk of developing cervical and tube problems, abnormal menstrual cycles, hormonal imbalances and when they do eventually become pregnant, an ectopic pregnancy may result. Generally, smokers take longer to conceive than non-smoking women.
Poor diet - Eating properly plays an important role in your body’s fertility. A balanced diet of low-fat foods packed with healthy nutrients helps to regulate hormones and nourish your reproductive system. Avoid large quantities of sugary foods and caffeine as they have been associated with infertility.
Alcohol - Regular drinking of alcohol can affect fertility. Drinking large amounts of alcohol regularly may cause menstrual cycles to be irregular, increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects in the baby.
Athletic training - Female athletes are often predisposed to conditions such as Amenorrhea - Menstruation Problems, eating disorders, and osteoporosis. The female reproductive function is affected by the negative energy balance that results from disordered eating coupled with high training loads. Psychological stress and low body fat content can also be contributing factors that lead to an absence of menstruation and ovulation, resulting in infertility.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) - Infertility can sometimes be the result of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or . Infection If you are planning on becoming pregnant, get tested for sexually transmitted diseases to prevent further fertility problems or spread of the disease.
Health problems that cause hormonal changes - There are some health issues that may also increase the risk of infertility. Women who suffer from irregular periods or no menstrual periods, painful periods, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids or more than one miscarriage should consult their gynecologist or obstetrician.
Help for Female Infertility
Once infertility has been diagnosed, there are a number of treatment options available depending on the root cause of the problem. These treatments are costly and generally based on the preference of both partners
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