Female Infertility - Causes of Female Infertility

Infertility happens to both sexes but women account for just over half of all infertility problems.

There are a variety of causes of female infertility which include:

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (POS)
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Hostile cervical mucus
• Tubal blockage
• Damaged fallopian tubes
• Anovulation
• Obesity
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
• Amenorrhea
• Antiphospholipid Antibodies (APA)
• Hypothyroidism
• Age and egg quality
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Smoking and alcohol consumption
• Contraception
• Prescription medicines

Plus there are 15 to 20% of cases in which there is no explanation for infertility.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (POS)

This tends to affect young women and especially those of African descent. It is the development of multiple cysts within one ovary or both but the exact cause is unknown. It affects other system within the female body such as the endocrine system and the adrenal glands and as a result of this causes a wide range of symptoms.

These include:

• Irregular periods
• Failure to ovulate (anovulation)
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Excess facial hair (similar to male facial hair distribution)
• Raised male hormone levels (androgens)
• Infertility

The good news is that these cysts tend to be benign and don’t cause ovarian cancer. But, the bad news is that they do affect the luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) which helps to initiate ovulation. These hormones are usually regulated by a self-governing cycle but in this case the cycle fails to do so which causes an excess production of these hormones. And this affects other parts of the body.

Treatment for this includes a weight management routine to deal with obesity; diabetic medication to regulate blood sugar levels; an oral contraceptive to regulate menstruation and fertility medicine to stimulate ovulation.

This is one of the most common causes of female infertility.

Female Infertility Guide Index:

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (POS)
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Hostile cervical mucus
• Tubal blockage
• Anovulation
• Obesity
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

• Amenorrhea
• Antiphospholipid Antibodies (APA)
• Hypothyroidism
• Age and egg quality
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Smoking and alcohol consumption
• Contraception
• Prescription medicines