Can't have a baby because of a problem with the uterus? (Uterine Factor Infertility) Let's talk about this!

Becoming a mother is a dream of many women. But sometimes that dream comes with obstacles. Not being able to conceive a child, or infertility , is a very sad and burdensome thing. There can be many reasons for infertility. Today we are going to talk about one of the most specific reasons. That is infertility caused by problems related to the uterus .

What is this so-called uterine factor infertility?

Simply put, this is a condition where you are unable to conceive a child because your uterus is not there or your uterus is not functioning properly. As we know, a baby is born and grows for months in the mother's womb, that is, inside the uterus. It is like the baby's first home . So if this home is not there, or if this home is not prepared properly for a baby, it is difficult to get pregnant.

There are two main types of this condition.

Uterine infertility can be divided into two main categories, depending on how the condition occurs.

What are the causes of acquired conditions?

Imagine, you have a uterus, but due to some problems with it, pregnancy is not possible. There can be several reasons for this.

• Hysterectomy : This condition occurs when the uterus is completely removed due to a medical condition.
• Uterine Fibroids or Polyps: These are common growths that form on the walls of the uterus. Sometimes, they can interfere with the implantation of a fetus in the uterus.
• Scar Tissue: Scar tissue in the uterus can also interfere with pregnancy. This is especially true for a rare condition called Asherman's syndrome . Scar tissue can be caused by uterine infections or surgeries like D&C.
• Radiation : Radiation therapy for diseases such as cancer can damage the uterus.

What could be the symptoms of this condition?

Symptoms vary depending on the cause. For example, some young women never get their periods . The first sign they notice is that they don't start menstruating even after they reach puberty. Others may feel pain or pressure in the lower abdomen. Often, the condition is discovered when they are trying to conceive but are unsuccessful.

Let's take a deeper look at the main causes of uterine-related infertility.

Let's look at the main reasons that fall under the two categories we discussed earlier in a little more detail.

1. Congenital absence of a uterus

This is called Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH) . This is a very rare, congenital condition. In this, the uterus and part of the vagina do not develop or develop incompletely. But the amazing thing is that in many people with this condition , the ovaries function well. That is, the ovaries produce hormones normally. Therefore, although there are things like mood changes related to the menstrual cycle, there is no bleeding, that is, menstruation, because there is no uterus. This condition is usually diagnosed at a young age, that is, when menstruation has not started by the age of 15-16.

2. Hysterectomy

A woman may need to have a hysterectomy for various reasons. In such cases, she may not be able to get pregnant afterwards.

How does a doctor diagnose this condition?

If it is a congenital condition, you will usually see a doctor if you have not started menstruating at a young age. The doctor will first do an ultrasound scan to check your reproductive system. If necessary, an MRI scan may also be done. These tests can check if the uterus is missing, small, or has an abnormal shape.

In an acquired condition, the doctor will carefully study your complete medical history, including previous surgeries and medical conditions, and come to a conclusion.

Is there a treatment for this? Is there any hope?

For a long time, the only options for someone without a uterus to have a child were adoption or gestational surrogacy .

But with recent advances in medical science, a new hope has emerged: Uterus Transplantation .

This is not yet a very common surgery in the world, but if it is successful, it will allow a woman without a uterus to carry and give birth to her own baby.

How does a uterus transplant happen?

This is a surgery, just like a kidney or heart transplant. A uterus, taken from a donor, is transplanted into the person in need. There are two types of donors:

• Living Donors: These people can be a family member (mother, sister) or a stranger who is willing to donate their uterus.
• Deceased Donors: A uterus obtained from someone who has expressed their willingness to donate their organs before they die.

Before this surgery, embryos are created using the woman's eggs and her partner's sperm through IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) technology and stored in a freezer. After the uterus is transplanted and the body adapts to it, one of the created embryos is placed in this new uterus.

Can this situation be prevented?

There is no way to prevent a congenital condition because it happens before we are even born.

However, some acquired conditions may be preventable. For example, before undergoing hysterectomy, if you have any hopes of having children in the future, be sure to talk openly with your doctor about it. Discuss all the options, including the pros and cons. However, there are some emergencies when a hysterectomy is necessary to save a life. In such cases, there may be no time to discuss it.

Questions that come to your mind and their answers

It's normal for a lot of questions to arise in your mind when you learn something like this.

Will I never be able to have a baby?

If you don't have a uterus but your ovaries are functioning, there are options for having a baby. Adoption, surrogacy, and now a uterus transplant are also options. Talk to your doctor about the option that's right for you.

Will I never get my period?

Without a uterus, menstruation does not occur. This is because blood is shed during menstruation as the lining of the uterus sheds. However, if the ovaries are present, other symptoms related to the menstrual cycle (stomach cramps, mood swings) may occur to some extent due to hormonal activity.

Will not having a uterus affect other parts of my body?

Removing the uterus will result in loss of fertility. However, if the ovaries are not removed, hormone production will continue to occur normally, so other bodily functions will not be significantly affected.

Whatever the cause of this condition, receiving a diagnosis like this can be emotionally difficult. But remember that you are not alone. There are doctors and counselors who can help you and answer your questions. The most important thing is to have the right information and make an informed decision about your options for expanding your family.