Top Causes of Women’s Infertility & What Can Be Done About it?

Did you know that one in six couples experience fertility problems and that around a third of these problems originate in the woman? If you’re having problems conceiving, it can be an incredibly stressful, confusing, and heartbreaking time, but you don’t have to go through it alone. By seeking help for infertility, you can better understand the reasons why you can’t conceive and work to overcome them.

While there are many causes of women’s infertility, these are the top four and what we can do to help you conceive: 

With a commitment to providing holistic and patient-centred care, Melbourne-based Dr Hugo Fernandes has been helping couples and singles achieve their goals of growing their families for decades. If you suspect or know you’re experiencing women’s infertility, book an appointment at our clinic to discuss your options. 

Cause #1 – Ovulatory Disorders 

Problems with ovulation – specifically anovulation, which is when no eggs are released, so there is nothing to be fertilised – make up a large number of known women’s infertility issues. Irregular or absent menstrual periods can be a sign that ovulation is irregular or absent, too.

There are several reasons why a woman may not ovulate, including:

• Ovarian or gynaecological conditions, such as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• Age; diminished ovarian reserves (which means there is a low number of eggs in the ovaries) are a normal part of aging.
• Endocrine disorders, such as thyroid disease or problems with the hypothalamus.
• Lifestyle and environmental factors, such as having an eating disorder, or excessive exercise (which can lead to hormonal imbalances).

Cause #2 – Endometriosis 

This is a condition where tissue that normally grows on the inside of the uterus develops on the outside. It’s most commonly found in the pelvis but in severe cases can spread throughout the whole abdomen. While a large number of women with endometriosis experience fertility problems, not all do.

This condition can damage the fallopian tubes and/or ovaries, which can affect the movement of the egg and sperm. It can also affect fertilisation, implantation, and embryo growth.

Cause #3 – Pelvic or Tubal Adhesions 

These are growths or even scarring that can occur in the pelvis or fallopian tubes and lead to infertility. If the egg is unable to travel down the tube, it can be blocked from meeting the sperm.

One of the main causes of pelvic or tubal adhesions is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is often caused by exposure to chlamydia. A tubal abnormality known as hydrosalpinges is caused by acute and chronic inflammation that damages the structural integrity of the fallopian tubes.

Cause #4 – Uterine Issues 

When we talk about uterine issues, we’re referring to either growths within the uterus itself or conditions that affect its receptivity to implantation.

Growths that may hamper implantation include fibroids (non-malignant tumours) and polyps (small protrusions that grow out of the uterus lining). While very rare, congenital uterine abnormalities (such as uterine septums) have also been linked with infertility.

Treatment for Women’s Infertility 

Depending on the cause of your infertility, there are several treatment options that may be explored:

• Surgery
  There are actually a number of causes for women’s infertility that can be addressed by surgery, including fibroids, polyps, uterine abnormalities, and ovarian cysts. Most surgeries are performed via keyhole using a laparoscope (through the abdomen) or a hysteroscope (through the cervix). In some cases, an open surgery might be required.
• Ovulation Induction
  If anovulation is suspected, oral or injectable medications can be used to induce ovulation. Oral medications like clomiphene citrate (often known as Clomid or Serophene) can increase the release of hormones that stimulate ovulation, while injectable hormones that are usually used to prompt the ovaries to mature have a similar effect.
• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
  This is a “low-tech” assisted reproductive technology (ART) that involves washed sperm being deposited into the uterus and fallopian tubes with hopes that it will fertilise the egg dropped during a normal ovulation cycle. This process is often used alongside ovulation induction and bypasses potentially hostile cervical mucus.
• In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
  This is an ART that involves eggs being retrieved from the woman’s ovaries (after medications to mature a large quantity), mixed with sperm from either her male partner or a donor, and a resulting embryo being transferred into the woman’s uterus two to five days later. As multiple eggs are retrieved, extra embryos can be frozen for future use.

Your Fertility is in Good Hands with Dr Hugo 

If you suspect that you’re suffering from women’s infertility, the first step is to visit your GP or gynaecologist for further advice. They will be able to refer you to a fertility consultant and may be able to begin initial investigations for you so that you have a headstart at your appointment. The team at Dr Hugo are hugely empathetic when it comes to fertility concerns and would be honoured to help you on your journey to parenthood.

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