Baby Care Basics

Women Causing Infertility - Reasons for Female Infertility

A woman’s ovulation is a essential component of conception. Put simply, a woman who cannot produce an egg will have no chance of having a baby. The primary indicators of a potential problem with ovulation are either totally absent or intermittent monthly menstrual periods.

Female Conditions

Two of the more common medical conditions involving ovulation are PCOS and POI. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is characterized by a problem with the hormones, which then affects the normal ovulation process. It is the highest recorded cause of female infertility.

Primary ovarian insufficiency, on the other hand, occurs when the woman’s ovaries fail to functioning like they should before she becomes 35 years old. POI is commonly thought to be early menopause, which is an entirely different illness.

Other Associated Causes

There are other uterine problems that also contribute to infertility.

- Uterual Fibroids (i.e. non-cancerous bumps on the uterine walls

- Blocked Fallopian tubes due to ectopic pregnancy surgery, pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis

- Physical issues with the uterus

Factors That Increase Infertility Risks

Aside from problems with one’s health, genes and lifestyle factors can also contribute to female infertility. Inclusive of:

- Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking

- Poor nutrition

- Age

- Too much physical activity

- Excessive stress

- Under or overweight conditions

- STIs

- Health issues that affect the body’s hormone producing abilities

Infertility Women Causes - The Age Factor

Many American women these days do not have children until their 30s and 40s…and one third of all fertility issues involve the female being 35 years or older.

How Does Age Affect Fertility?

- Ovaries deteriorate over time, and this affects their egg-releasing capability

- An older woman produces fewer eggs

- Eggs released by an older woman are not as potent

- Health problems that may interfere with fertility creep up as the woman gets older

- Older women have a higher rate of miscarrieag

Drugs To Stimulate Fertility

These drugs are often prescribed for women who have fertility problems.

- Clomiphene citrate: Often recommended for women with PCOS and hormonal related malfunctions. You might know it by the brand Clomid, which is taken orally.

- Human menopausal gonadotropin: hMG is an injection used to stimulate the ovaries directly so that egg formation occurs. Repronex and Pergonal are two of the more popular medication brands.

- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog: Gn-RH is a medication often prescribed for women who don’t ovulate regularly. It works on the pituitary gland to dictate when ovulation happens. It may purchased as a nasal spray or as an injectable.

- Follicle stimulating hormone: The FSH is also an injectable and acts on the ovaries to encourage ovulation. Common brands are Follistim and Gonal-F.

- Metformin: Metformin is prescribed for women with either insulin resistance or PCOS. This medication, which is often taken with FSH or clomiphene, can help balance and regulate the male hormones in the female body and eventually assist women in the ovulation process.

- Bromocriptine: Prolactin is a type of hormone that induces milk production in the mammary glands. Sufficient levels of prolactin may cause a stop in ovulation. Bromocriptine can slow down the release of prolactin and help make ovulation happen.

Multiple Birth Risk

While fertility medications are known to be very successful in helping a woman finally conceive, they also can lead to the formation and development of more than one fetus. Women who have more than one fetus in their uterus have a higher risk of experience problems throughout the pregnancy compared to those with just one fetus. More than one fetus in the womb raises the risk for the to born at lot earlier than their due…and a prematurely born baby is more at risk of having health problems as he or she grows older.

Fertility drugs also have a high risk for a medical condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which can be life threatening.

Because of these health risks & the high cost of assisted reproductive technology, alternative methods have become popular for overcoming infertility without adverse side effects. These remedies cover a vast range from natural healing therapies which are meant to help the body repair itself. Some of the more popular alternative treatments include nutritional therapy, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine.

Click here for more information on how to increase your chances of pregnancy or how conceive

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