Causes of Female Infertility: Discover Them Early!

There are numerous causes of female infertility. Discover them early!

Infertility begins to be discussed after at least a year of regular and unsuccessful attempts. Partners may feel bad, incapable, and frustrated by thoughts of many children around them while they seem to be the only ones unable to conceive. But the opposite is true. "Up to twenty percent of couples face infertility problems. And it is a myth that it is more often due to women; more than half of the reasons for infertility lie with men," warns Dr. Milada Brandejská, Medical Director of the Europe IVF Assisted Reproduction Clinic. What are the most common complications?

Endometriosis

When menstrual pains worsen and are accompanied by pain during sex, the cause may be endometriosis. This fairly common disease, where uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, can also complicate attempts to conceive.

If conception problems are accompanied by prolonged and often painful menstruation, digestive issues, pain during intercourse, or the presence of blood in urine or stool, it is essential to visit a doctor. Endometriosis can be completely cured. The main method is surgery, but pelvic surgery can increase the risk of infertility. Another way is pharmacology. Medications are recommended for milder forms of the disease, but during their use, it is impossible to conceive as they keep the woman in a state of artificial menopause.

Higher Age of the Woman

The times when it was common to have a wedding and expect a child at eighteen are long gone. Today, partners deliberately delay starting a family, often for career reasons or simply because they want to enjoy a romantic life as a couple first. However, a woman's ability to conceive significantly decreases after the age of 30. "Figures from clinical studies show that the thirty-fifth year is a turning point after which the ability to conceive begins to decrease much faster, and at the age of 40, the chance of starting a family is only around five percent," explains Dr. Milada Brandejská from the Europe IVF Assisted Reproduction Clinic.

Conceiving at an older age also brings greater risks, including an increased rate of miscarriage. As our bodies age, so do the eggs and even sperm, resulting in lower quality over time.

Appendix Surgery

Having an appendix removed due to acute issues is one of the most common surgical procedures. However, for women desiring children, the removal of this organ can be a reason for not being able to conceive. How is this possible? Common postoperative complications after appendix removal, a pelvic surgery, include adhesions that can cause a blockage of the fallopian tube. The risks are higher if the woman underwent this procedure in childhood or adolescence. If this has happened and the woman is having trouble conceiving, she should inform her gynecologist to ensure a check for ovarian patency.

Ovulation Disorders

Ovulatory complications cause conception issues in one in four couples. If menstruation is irregular or completely absent, it may be a symptom of ovulation disorders. Polycystic ovary syndrome, where cysts appear on the ovaries disrupting their proper function and passageways, can also prevent the natural passage of eggs. Ovulation disorders are often caused by thyroid disease, whether its function is reduced or increased.

Obesity, Stress, or Poor Lifestyle

If you step on the scale and it shows alarming numbers, there are two reasons why this is so. One, which is beyond control, is genetics and hormones. The other, which one can control, is poor lifestyle choices. In the first case, conception problems are more common as hormonal imbalance can cause a number of complications, including irregular menstruation and inability to conceive.

Secondary infertility can also be caused by stress related to work or personal life. Stress as a factor in infertility is often underestimated. "An overlooked but very crucial factor in partners' attempts to conceive is simply their physical and mental state. Regular alcohol consumption, smoking, constant stress, overweight, poor diet, and minimal exercise. All these factors not only worsen everyday life but can also be reasons for the inability to conceive," adds Dr. Milada Brandejská.

Efforts to start a family can be among the most pleasant aspects of a partnership. However, if it is still not happening, time is passing, inquisitive questions from those around you are increasing, and month after month the pregnancy test remains negative, what was once pleasant can become a stressful matter. What can cause female infertility? What are its most common causes and how can they be detected early?

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