Difficulties with getting pregnant in as many as 1/3 of cases are the result of ovulation disorders and hormonal disorders. The main causes are: the growth of an empty follicle, lack of ovulation (e.g. after menopause), the inability of an egg to burst, and the abnormal release of an egg during ovulation. Scientists believe that the cause of infertility is 40% on the woman’s side, 40% on the man’s side, and the remaining 20% are cases where the cause cannot be determined or where the problem occurs with both partners. Check what are the main causes of infertility in women!
People who are overweight or underweight can have a problem with getting pregnant – mainly when they suffer from amenorrhea. Usually, however, when the body weight returns to normal, the menstrual cycle also stabilizes and the possibility of fertilization increases. Other causes of female infertility include:
- Alcoholism,
- Immune system disorders
- pituitary diseases,
- adrenal diseases,
- thyroid diseases,
- endometriosis,
- Inflammation in the small pelvis and scarring in the fallopian tubes,
- The hostility of cervical mucus that destroys sperm,
- uterine fibroids,
- Sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea or chlamydia
- hereditary diseases,
- uterine defects,
- Turner syndrome (meaning missing one of the two X chromosomes).
There are diseases that are very common causes of infertility:
- Hyperprolactinemia – i.e. too high levels of prolactin in the body, which can cause amenorrhea and ovulation disorders. It also reduces the secretion of progesterone necessary during pregnancy.
- Endometriosis – causes the migration of the endometrium outside the uterine cavity, the cells of which shed and cause bleeding. As a result, adhesions, cysts, and all elements of the reproductive system may stick together. This causes not only lower fertility, but also other diseases.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome – one of the most common disorders in the reproductive period. It is characterized by too much male sex hormones in the blood, which causes the lack of menstrual bleeding and, consequently, infertility. Excess androgens, i.e. male hormones, cause the formation of cysts and make it difficult to get pregnant.
- Polyps – occur in the cervix or its body, although they can appear in any part of the body. They can cause heavy bleeding.
- Uterine fibroids – also a very common cause of problems with getting pregnant. They cause miscarriages, prolonged menstruation. The reasons for their formation are genetic tendencies and hormonal disorders.
- Ovarian failure – i.e. premature depletion of primary follicles in the ovaries, e.g. as a result of anti-cancer therapy.
- Pelvic inflammatory diseases – 20% of women suffering from these conditions have trouble getting pregnant. Acute and chronic inflammations cause destruction of the fallopian tubes, scarring, abscesses.