If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for over a year but cannot, then the chances are that one of you or both of you may have infertility issues.
Female infertility is a pretty common issue. A lot of women are affected by this condition. It is essential to seek treatment for this as soon as possible, as age plays a vital role in female infertility.
In this article, Dr. Hrishikesh Pai from Babies & Us IVF and ICSI Centre talks about female infertility.
What is Female Infertility?
Infertility is a disease where you have regular and unprotected intercourse for over a year but can still not conceive.
These problems in conceiving could be due to issues with the male partner’s fertility or female partner’s issues with fertility, or a combination of both, or due to some other unknown reasons.
The female partner’s fertility problem is called female infertility or female factor infertility. It is widespread among women, affecting at least 30% with female infertility. The chances of being infertile can increase depending on the age.
Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, one of the best IVF doctors in Mumbai, works at Babies & Us IVF and ICSI Centre, an IVF centre in Mumbai. He has over 35 years of experience in treating patients with fertility issues.
Symptoms
According to Dr. Pai, one of the best IVF doctors in Mumbai, the following are symptoms of female infertility:
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If you have abnormal periods, the bleeding might be heavier or lighter than usual.
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If you have irregular periods, the number of days between each cycle varies monthly. If it is too long, 35 days or more, or too short, less than 21 days.
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Painful periods. Cramping, back pain, pelvic pain, etc.
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If you had regular periods and suddenly stopped or never had a period.
If your infertility is related to hormonal issues, the symptoms may include:
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Changes in skin, like acne
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Growth in body hair
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Thinning of hair or hair loss
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Weight gain
Causes
There are many causes of female infertility, says Dr. Hrishikesh Pai. Some of the reasons are given below:
If you have problems with your uterus, fibroids, or polyps in the lining of the uterus, it can cause infertility issues.
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Fibroids: These are non-cancerous tumors present inside the uterus
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Polyps: These are the growths occurring in the endometrium (inside the lining of the uterus)
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If you have problems with your fallopian tubes: if your fallopian tubes are blocked by scar tissue due to an infection or endometriosis.
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Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of your uterus is present outside your uterus.
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If you have issues with ovulation: You may not ovulate due to hormonal imbalance, eating disorder, excessive stress, thyroid, side effects of some medications or drugs, etc.
Who is at Risk for Female Infertility?
Many factors are increasing the risk of female infertility in you. Some of them are listed below:
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Age
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Being underweight / overweight
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Hormonal imbalance
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Cysts
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Tumors
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PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
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Smoking
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Excessive alcohol consumption
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Fibroids
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Endometriosis
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Irregular menstrual cycle
Diagnosis of Female Infertility
Your gynecologist needs to perform some tests to determine if you have infertility or not, says Dr.Pai. These tests include:
Physical exam
Your gynecologist will check your weight and body-mass index. They will examine your pelvic area for infection or lumps, indicating if fibroids, tumors, endometriosis, etc., are present.
Pap test
This test determines if you have cervical cancer, which could significantly cause female infertility.
Pelvic Ultrasound
This test uses high-frequency sound waves to capture the images of the internal organs. This can help your doctor find any cysts in the lining of your uterus.
Some other tests done can include:
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Blood tests: Blood tests are generally performed to test for thyroid, tests for ovarian reserve, etc.
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HSG: A dye is injected into your cervix, and the caregiver uses an X-ray to see how the dye flows through the fallopian tube. This test looks for blockages in the fallopian tube.
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Laparoscopy: Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure to look inside your body, specifically at your abdominal and reproductive organs.
Treatment
According to Dr. Pai, there are various options available for the treatment of female infertility:
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Medications: If you have issues related to ovulation, they can be treated with certain medications. These medications can help induce ovulation.
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Hysteroscopy: Your doctor will place a hysteroscope into your uterus to remove fibroids, open up the blocked tube and remove polyps.
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Laparoscopy: The laparoscope is inserted into the incision, inflating your abdomen to get a better view. In this process, a small scar is made near the navel. This is used to remove the scar tissue, open blocked tubes, remove cysts and treat endometriosis.
If none of these treatments work, you can opt for assisted reproductive treatments like:
IUI (Intrauterine insemination), a type of artificial insemination, is a procedure for treating infertility.
IVF (In vitro fertilization) or test tube baby- In this process, the man’s sperm and woman’s eggs are combined outside the body in a laboratory dish. One or more fertilized eggs might be transferred into the woman’s uterus.
All these treatments are available at Babies & Us IVF and ICSI Centre, one of the best IVF centres in Mumbai.
Prevention
The following tips can help prevent female infertility, says Dr. Pai.
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Maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight or underweight can sometimes increase the risk of ovulation issues. You can do it by doing moderate exercises if you want to lose weight.
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Getting a balanced diet: A balanced diet ensures you get all the proteins and nutrients necessary for your body. Getting a balanced diet is also essential as exercising.
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Quitting smoking: If you wish to get pregnant in the future, you should quit smoking because smoking can harm your fertility.
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Avoiding alcohol consumption: Consumption of alcohol in a heavy dosage could negatively affect your fertility.
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Managing stress: Excess stress can affect your mental, emotional as well as physical health. It could be one of the causes leading to female infertility. So it is essential to reduce your stress.
Conclusion:
Female infertility generally depends on the woman having these issues. It is crucial to find out the cause of female infertility and treat it with the help of a good gynecologist.
Sometimes medications or a minor surgery can also help solve these problems. So it is essential to talk to your doctor and get a proper diagnosis.
If you have any more queries or are seeking infertility treatment, you can visit Dr. Pai, one of the best IVF doctors in Mumbai, at Babies & Us IVF and ICSI Centre, an IVF centre in Mumbai.
