Female Infertility
Defining Infertility
Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse, or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term. This definition is reduced to six months for:
• Women over 35
• Women with a history of painful periods, irregular cycles, pelvic inflammatory disease and miscarriages
• Couples who know that the male partner has a low sperm count
'Primary' infertility means failure to achieve a first pregnancy, 'secondary' infertility means failure to achieve a subsequent pregnancy. Primary infertility is an extremely common problem, affecting more than one in seven (15 per cent) couples attempting their first pregnancy. Among those experiencing difficulty with conception, a male fertility problem is considered important in around 40 per cent of couples. In 15 per cent of couples it will be solely a male fertility problem and in around 25 per cent, there will be a problem in both partners.
The earlier you seek help, the greater your chances for success. If you and your partner have been trying to conceive without success, have been diagnosed with infertility, or have a non-traditional relationship inhibiting you from getting pregnant you would benefit from the help of an IVFWales infertility specialist.
When a couple has fertility concerns, IVFWales recommends that both the male and female partner have full investigations in order to determine the most effective treatment option.
Why causes infertility in women?
Female infertility can result from a range of factors. Your IVFWales doctor can work with you to determine the cause of your infertility and the best treatment options. Common causes of female infertility include:
Tubal Conditions
Problems with fertility may arise if a woman’s fallopian tubes have been damaged by pelvic infection, previous tubal pregnancy, or ruptured appendix.
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Ovulation Disorders
Most women ovulate every 21 to 35 days. Women with cycles greater than 35 days are considered to have oligo-ovulation. Those who do not ovulate at all have anovulation. Fertility treatment is often successful in these cases.
Age and Infertility
Advanced age is now the leading cause of infertility. For women, age-related infertility results from a decrease in the number and quality of her eggs over time.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where normal uterine tissue grows outside the uterus. Laparoscopy, a minor outpatient surgical procedure, is the most common treatment for endometriosis.
Cervical Abnormalities
Abnormalities of the cervix affect fertility. One of the most common causes is prior surgery on the cervix, such as a cone biopsy, or laser therapy to treat abnormal cervical cells.
Uterine Abnormalities
Abnormalities to the shape of the uterus can also impact fertility. Some of these include scar tissue, polyps, or fibroids (picture below). Hysteroscopy or a laparoscopy can be used to treat many uterine abnormalities.
