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Infertility: The Top Seven Causes
In Honour of National Infertility Week We Take A Look At The Top Seven Treats To Getting Pregnant
It’s National Infertility Awareness Week in the US, and Resolve — the national infertility association — has amped up with a week of events to help you feel like you’re not alone.
The most common misconception in regards to infertility is that it occurs mostly in older women, who are technically close to their procreation expiry. But in reality, infertility can happen to any woman at any age.
Below, we outline the top seven causes of infertility according to the book Getting Pregnant: What Couples Need To Know Right Now by Niels H. Lauersen, MD, and Colette Bouchez.
1: Surgical Adhesions
Also known as "scar tissue," surgical adhesions can occur as a result of any type of gynealogical or obstetrical procedure. When scar tissue forms inside the uterus, it can block the uterus from receiving any hormonal stimulation needed to build the lining that is vital for maintaining pregnancy.
2: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Your pelvis is the bony structure that holds your uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and part of your appendix. Around your pelvis is a membrane called the peritoneum that acts as a barrier to prevent the different organs from sticking to each other. If, by chance, bacteria enter the area, the peritoneum can become inflamed, causing a condition known as PID. If the infection is not caught early on and makes its way into the reproductive tract, it can cause serious damage. Organs can deteriorate and removal may be the only option. More commonly, however, the infection will cause scar tissue around your fallopian tubes, making it hard for sperm to reach an egg or, if it does reach the egg, it could result in an ectopic pregnancy.
3: Fibroid Tumours
These tumours can grow in and around the uterus, and if that wasn’t problematic enough, they can also grow in multiples and can range in size. The problem of their interference with conception, causing blockages in the reproductive tract, can be vast. The lining's development can be affected, causing implantation issues and leading to miscarriages. The fallopian tubes can get blocked, preventing fertilized eggs from being transported to the uterus, which increases the risk of ectopic pregnancies. The position of the cervix can change, which prevents the sperm from reaching it, and the shape of the uterus itself can become distorted, which results in implantation issues.
4. Ovarian Cysts and PCOD
Cysts differ from tumours in both their structure and content. Soft fluid sacks, they can be:
- functional: benign and able to disappear on their own
- adenoma: potentially cancerous and need to be removed.
Cysts can be a concern to fertility if they cover the ovary itself, causing egg production and ovulation issues. If they are large enough, they can prevent the egg from leaving the ovary and, worst of all, if they are malignant, part of the ovary may need to be removed also. With polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), you’ll find irregular menstrual cycles and, in the most extreme cases, no menstruation at all.
5. PMS
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can give women a variety of symptoms, from bloating to cramps, food cravings, and even depression. The hormone imbalance of progesterone to estrogen makes brain chemicals out of sync. If your hormone imbalance continues, it can cause egg issues from growth to maturation and ovulation, hindering proper egg production.
6. Abortions
If not done properly, three issues can arise from abortions:
- a damaged cervix
- a torn uterus
- a perforated bowel
During a badly performed procedure, tears can occur that cause hemorrhaging, which in turn makes future pregnancies difficult or even impossible.
7. Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy is when a malfunction prevents your fertilized egg from reaching your uterus. The fertilized egg implants in other areas within your body, such as your stomach. When this happens, it’s impossible for the egg to survive.
Feature Image: sheknows.com
Source: The book 'Getting Pregnant: What you need to know right now'.
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