Motherhood sure is a gift. That is why most of us eagerly await that missed period or for the stick to turn color. There are many who aren’t quite lucky. The plight of those women who try hard to become pregnant, but cannot is quite moving. Added to that, the society doesn’t take an empathetic view to these women. Frequently leading to psychological problems, and stressed up lives, female infertility has for many reasons been a hot topic of late.
What is Female Infertility?
Infertility in women is a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse with a fertile male partner.
Infertility in India
Infertility is acquiring global proportions. WHO survey reveals that there are around 20 million people who suffer from infertility. Alarming that these numbers are, there is increased risk for women as the female factor contributes to more than half of the numbers!
What causes infertility in women?
Among the identifiable factors for female infertility, hormonal or endocrine disturbances, menstrual or ovulatory disturbances, tubal abnormalities, cervical or uterine disturbances, sexual dysfunctions and congenital abnormalities are common.
Women are born with a definite number of eggs. As a woman ages, the quality and number of the eggs diminish. The chances of getting pregnant decreases by 3% to 5% every year after reaching the age of 30. The reduction in fertility is more pronounced after age 40.
Fallopian Tube Damage:
Fallopian tubes carry the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus and damage to them can prevent contact between the egg and sperm. Fallopian tube damage may be the result of scar formation due to surgeries of pelvic infections, and endometriosis.
Hormonal Reasons:
Problems with ovulation may result due to hormonal causes. Abnormal hormonal activity may result in hampering the normal function of the ovulation process. It is detected by basal body temperature charts, ovulation predictor kits, and blood tests to detect hormone levels.
Uterine Abnormalities:
Abnormal anatomy of the uterus, presence of polyps, and fibroids can result in female infertility.
Cervical Conditions:
Some women with cervical conditions and women who have undergone surgeries may have infertility as the sperm cannot pass through the cervical canal.
Diagnostics for Female Infertility:
Blood tests: For hormonal levels.
Endometrial Biopsy.
Hysterosalpingography.
Laparoscopy.
Treatment for Female Infertility:
Laparoscopy:
Women with tubal or pelvic disease can undergo surgery to reconstruct the reproductive organs. They can even try to conceive through in-vitro fertilization. With a laparoscopic surgery scar tissue can be removed. This is also an effective method to treat endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and opening blocked tubes.
Hysteroscopy:
This is effective for removing polyps and fibroids.
Intrauterine insemination:
This is an office procedure. Semen is collected, and then placed into the uterus at the time of ovulation. This procedure is done in combination with medications that stimulate ovulation.
Other treatments include:
- In-vitro fertilization.
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
- Gamete intrafallopian tube transfer.
- Zygote intrafallopian transfer.
- Egg Donation.
- Assisted reproductive techniques.
Comprehensive female infertility treatment and care at Apollo Hospitals! Book your online consultation appointments with the Best Gynecologists in India.
