Infertility is the biological condition in which a couple is unable to reproduce. The case, in which, the women gets pregnant but she has miscarriage, is also said to be a state of infertility.
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1. Use of alcohol
2. Drugs
3. Toxins and infections
4. Smoking
5. Medical reasons such as hormonal problems and kidney diseases.
6. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy (taken for the treatment of cancer).
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To get pregnant, women must ovulate and eggs released on ovulation, should go to the fallopian tubes to fertilize with the sperm. The fertilized egg should attach itself to the inner lining of the uterus that is called implantation. Infertility in women can be caused due to irregularities or problems at any stage of fertilization.
1. If the woman is not ovulating, no eggs are released and then, no eggs will be fertilized. Some of the common symptoms of problems in ovulation are irregularity in monthly cycles or absence of monthly cycles.
2. Polycystic ovarian syndrome - It is a condition, in which, the hormone imbalance may block the ovulation process in women and it can cause infertility.
3. Primary Ovarian insufficiency - It is a condition, in which, the women who attained a certain age (such as forty or above) is unable to get pregnant because the ovaries are not working normally.
4. Blocked fallopian tubes can cause infertility in women. It may happen due to some surgery, pelvic inflammatory disease or due to endometriosis.
5. Problem in uterus can cause infertility in women.
6. Growth of tissues such as uterine fibroids on the walls of the uterus can cause infertility in women.
Women above the age of thirty five releases less number of eggs and egg may not be healthy. Many women suffer from health problem at the age of thirty five and it can cause miscarriage.
Other causes for infertility are - Poor diet, smoking, alcoholism, overweight, athletic training, STDs and hormonal problems.
1. The doctor examines the health condition of both the partners and tests the semen to count the number, shape and movement of sperms. The doctor may test the hormones and conduct blood tests. If necessary, ultrasound can be done.
2. Doctor may take X-rays of the fallopian tubes and the uterus, and conduct laparoscopy.
The treatment depends on the main cause of infertility. After examining both the partners the doctor tries to find out the reasons for infertility, and can suggest treatments through any of the following methods -
1. Taking medicines - The doctor may give oral medicines or injections to stimulate ovulation.
2. Surgery - Surgery can be done in case of, blockage or physical disorder.
3. Assisted reproductive technology - In this technology, the eggs are removed from women's body and mixed with sperm to cause fertilization and later, it is injected into the women's body.
4. Artificial insemination (also called intrauterine insemination) - It is used in case the male factor is responsible for infertility or there are problems in the cervical mucus.
