Infertility is an inability to conceive after having regular unprotected sex. Infertility can also refer to the biological inability of an individual to contribute to conception, or to a female who cannot carry a pregnancy to full term.The female infertility factors we are discussing in this part are the more general and miscellaneous ones.
Cancer Treatment
Cancer of any part of the female reproductive organs; the uterus, ovaries and cervix can result in permanent female infertility. Medications and treatments for cancer can also damage your uterus and ovaries. The chemotherapy and radiation you are subjected to can destroy the supply of eggs in your ovaries and result in Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) or premature menopause.
Other Chronic Illnesses
Chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes or depression, and the medications you’re taking for these illnesses can inhibit your fertility.
Effects of Contraceptive Pills
Contraceptive pills can lead to future female infertility problems. This is because the contraceptive effects of birth control pills can alter your hormonal functions long after you have stopped using them. These pills can also lead to nutrient deficiencies that result in menstrual and ovulatory problems. This form of contraception is not suitable for women who are having irregular periods or who are known to have some degrees of hormonal imbalances.
Age
You are most fertile between early to mid 20s. Your fertility starts to decline from early 30s. Trying to conceive after 40, though possible, is very difficult. One of female infertility factors like advancing age is caused by the decrease in the quality of eggs produced in later years. Eggs of older women are likely to develop chromosomal abnormalities such as Down’s syndrome and pregnancies sometimes resulting in miscarriages.
Physical and Psychological Stress
Physical and psychological stress and extreme lifestyle changes can seriously affected ovulation resulting in female infertility. Psychological factors can stop ovulation or cause spasms in the fallopian tubes which inhibit the passage of the egg to the uterus. Excessive and intensive exercise can prevent a woman’s ovulation.
Smoking and Liquor
Exposure to very high levels of environmental toxins or drugs can harm your body affecting its ability to conceive. Too much smoking and liquor intake can lead to female infertility. This is a well-known truth and one of the leading female infertility factors.
Douching
Does douching have anything to do with female infertility? Probably this is not considered part of the female infertility factors. But still it can be something that can easily prevent you from getting pregnant.
Blocked Fallopian Tubes
It is when the tubes are blocked due to an infection or inflammation (Salpingitis), adhesions; thin layers of scar tissue, or fluid (Hydrosalpinx). Besides leading to female infertility, another danger of such blockage is the risk of an ectopic pregnancy; that is a prepgnancy developing inside the fallopian tube because the fertilized egg has no way to get to the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy can be fatal for the mother.
Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) – Premature Menopause
POF which is also known as premature menopause. It involves the body experiencing a higher than normal rate of egg loss resulting in female infertility. This is a rare condition. Women with such ovary problems may stop menstruating before 40 years of age. If you have symptoms of an ovulatory cycles (not ovulating), loss of sexual desire, vaginal dryness, hot flashes and experience pain during intercourse, you may have POF.
Malfunction of your Pituitary and thyroid glands
Your Pituitary and Thyroid glands produce important hormones that regulate your body’s various systems. A malfunction in either one of these glands will disrupt your menstrual cycle directly or indirectly, causing female infertility. Pituitary gland – One of its functions is to produce a sufficient amount of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) to stimulate follicle growth in your ovaries and get them to start maturing eggs in preparation for ovulation. If there is insufficient FSH, the ovaries will not be able to produce eggs and thus causes female infertility.
