Are you and your husband expecting a baby? But despite all your efforts, without any form of birth control, and despite being together regularly, that dream has not yet come true? I know this is a very sensitive topic. These are very difficult times with the sadness, stress, and problems that come from society. But you are not alone. This is a situation that many people face. Today, we will talk about female infertility. Don't worry, we will talk about everything simply and clearly.
What is this infertility?
Simply put, infertility is a medical condition. It means you are unable to get pregnant. Doctors diagnose this condition in the following ways:
- If you are under 35 years old: If you have been trying for a year without any birth control, have had regular sex, and have not gotten pregnant.
- If you are over 35 years old: If you have tried for 6 months and still haven't gotten pregnant.
Sometimes, a doctor can detect this condition earlier if you have another medical condition.
The important thing is that infertility is not just a woman's problem . The reason for this is just as likely to be your husband's problem as it is yours. So this is something that both of you need to deal with together.
Are there types of infertility?
Yes, there are mainly two types.
1. Primary Infertility: This means that you have never been pregnant before and have been unable to conceive after trying for the aforementioned period of time (a year or 6 months).
2. Secondary Infertility: This means that you have successfully given birth to at least one child in the past, and then when you try to get pregnant again, it is not successful.
Considering how common this condition is, about 10% of women in the world face this problem. This risk increases slightly with age.
What causes infertility in women?
There can be many reasons for this. Sometimes it is difficult to find the exact cause. We call it `(Unexplained Infertility)`. Let's see what the main reasons are.
1. Problems with the Uterus
The uterus is where the baby grows, so if there's a problem there, it could prevent you from getting pregnant.
- Uterine Fibroids: These are non-cancerous tumors. Not all tumors are harmful, but they can interfere with pregnancy, depending on their location and size.
- Polyps: Small growths that form on the uterine wall.
- Adhesions: Scar tissue that sometimes forms inside the uterus after a procedure like a D&C. These can make it difficult for the embryo to implant in the uterus.
2. Problems with Fallopian Tubes
An egg travels from the ovary to the uterus through the fallopian tube. The sperm and egg meet inside this tube. If these tubes are blocked, this will not happen.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): This is the main cause of blocked fallopian tubes. It can be caused by sexually transmitted infections such as untreated Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.
- Endometriosis: Simply put, tissue that should be inside the uterus grows outside the uterus, in places like the fallopian tubes and ovaries. This can lead to blockages and adhesions.
3. Problems with Ovulation
To get pregnant, a healthy egg must be released from an ovary every month. This process is called ``Ovulation.'' If this doesn't happen properly, you can't get pregnant.
- Hormonal Imbalances: PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a good example of this. In this condition, hormonal imbalances cause the ovaries to not mature and release eggs properly.
- Thyroid problems: Too little or too much thyroid hormone directly affects ovulation.
- Things like excessive stress, poor eating habits, and excessive exercise can also affect this.
4. Problems with Egg Count and Quality
A woman is born with the number of eggs she will need for her entire life. As she ages, this number of eggs (egg pool) decreases, and the quality of the remaining eggs also decreases.
- Sometimes, the egg reserve can run out before menopause (before the age of 40). This is called `(Primary Ovarian Insufficiency - POI)`.
- With age, the chances of chromosomal abnormalities in the eggs increase. Such an egg will not develop into a healthy embryo.
What are the risk factors for infertility?
While there are some things we can't control, there are also things we can change. It's important to be aware of these risk factors.
| Risk factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Age | Fertility gradually declines after the age of 30. This decline accelerates after 35. This is due to a decrease in the number and quality of eggs. |
| Smoking | Smoking damages your eggs, depletes your egg reserve quickly, and significantly reduces your chances of getting pregnant. |
| Excessive alcohol use | It can disrupt the ovulation process and cause hormonal imbalances. |
| Body weight | Obesity and underweight both affect hormonal function and disrupt ovulation. |
| Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) | If left untreated, the fallopian tubes can become damaged and blocked. |
| Other medical conditions | Conditions such as PCOS, Endometriosis, Autoimmune diseases (e.g. Lupus), and thyroid problems. |
How do I know if I have infertility?
This is not something you can decide on your own. You definitely need to see a doctor for this. When you go to see the doctor, he will ask you a few questions.
- About your menstrual cycle (how long it is, how much bleeding, pain)
- About previous pregnancies or miscarriages
- About lower abdominal pain
- About abnormal vaginal discharge
- About previous surgeries
- About whether you have sexually transmitted infections
After that, the doctor will examine you and, if necessary, refer you for further tests.
What are these tests?
Don't worry, all of these tests are done to find the exact cause of your problem and provide the right treatment.
- Physical and Pelvic Exam: The first general examination the doctor will perform.
- Ultrasound Scan: A scan of the abdomen or a transvaginal ultrasound can be used to check the condition of the uterus and ovaries (cysts, PCOS symptoms).
- Blood Tests: This helps to get an idea of your hormone levels (thyroid hormones, reproductive hormones) and ovarian reserve.
- HSG (Hysterosalpingogram) test: This is an X-ray test. A special liquid is injected into the uterus and is used to see if it moves through the fallopian tubes. This can help determine if the tubes are blocked or not.
- Laparoscopy: In this, a small camera is inserted into the abdomen to examine the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries from the outside. This is very important for diagnosing conditions like endometriosis.
There are also other specialized tests such as `(Hysteroscopy)` and `(Saline Sonohysterogram)`. Your doctor will decide which test you need.
What are the treatments?
The good news is that there are effective treatments for many causes of infertility. The treatment depends on the cause of your problem.
1. Fertility Medication: Hormonal problems, such as infertility, can be treated with medications. There are medications that are given to help mature eggs and stimulate ovulation.
2. Surgery: Uterine cysts, polyps, fallopian tube blockages, and endometriosis can be removed and corrected through surgery.
3. Antibiotics: If there is an infection in the reproductive system, these are given to treat it.
4. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART):
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): In this, the husband's sperm is specially prepared and inserted directly into the wife's uterus using a cannula on the same day that she ovulates.
- IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): The 'test tube' method we all know. It involves combining eggs and sperm outside the body in a laboratory, and then implanting the resulting embryo back into the uterus.
Your doctor will decide which of these treatments is most suitable for you and your husband and explain it to you.
What can I do to prevent infertility?
We cannot prevent some causes, for example genetic factors. However, we can reduce our risk by changing our lifestyle.
- Maintain a healthy weight: It is very important to maintain a healthy weight for your height.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol: Both of these directly harm fertility.
- Eat a balanced diet: Eat more vegetables, fruits, and greens.
- Reduce stress: Try things like yoga and meditation.
- Practice safe sex: Protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections.
- Get regular medical checkups: Especially after you become sexually active, seeing a gynecologist at least once a year can help identify potential problems early.
Take-Home Message
- Infertility is not your fault or a deficiency. It is a treatable condition.
- This problem may not only be the woman's problem, but also the husband's. Therefore, both of you should seek medical advice together.
- If you've tried for a year if you're under 35, or for six months if you're over 35, and still haven't had any results, see a doctor without delay.
- Don't confuse yourself with what you read on the internet. Only the doctor who examines you can give you the best solution to your problem.
- This journey is difficult, but stay strong. With the right treatment, many people have been able to fulfill their dream of having a child.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න