You waited until the time was right before building your family, and you were excited to get started. Today, after a year or more of trying, you’re coming up empty, and you’re frustrated, which is understandable.
The reality is that about 12-15% of couples don’t get pregnant after a year of trying, and the causes of this infertility are equally divided: One-third male, one-third female, and one-third both male and female, or for reasons unknown.
Since June is World Infertility Awareness Month and we’re a women’s healthcare practice, Dr. Chetanna Okasi and the team at Women’s Wellness MD want to highlight female causes of infertility here.
By far, the leading driver of female infertility is issues that disrupt ovulation, such as:
Age should also be included on this list, although it’s not a disorder. We include age because egg quality and quantity numbers go down with each passing year — fertility in your late 30s isn’t nearly as strong as it is in your early 20s.
Some women struggle with fertility because of uterine issues that disrupt the implantation of an embryo. For example, uterine fibroids can block an egg from entering the uterus, or fibroids can change the shape of the uterus and discourage implantation.
Another problem that can lead to the same issues is surgical scars around the uterus.
Lastly, some women have congenitally abnormally shaped uteruses that can interfere with conception by making implantation more difficult.
Your fallopian tubes are integral to the fertility process as they are where egg and sperm meet for fertilization. If you have a condition that blocks your fallopian tubes, pregnancy can prove difficult.
A good example of this is endometriosis, which affects about 11% of reproductive-aged women in the United States. Endometriosis cells and tissues that normally line the uterus grow outside instead. Over time, these tissues can form adhesions on neighboring structures, such as your fallopian tubes, creating blockages.
Another condition that can block your fallopian tubes is scar tissue due to pelvic inflammatory disease, which stems from untreated sexually transmitted infections.
While these are direct cause-and-effect issues that can lead to infertility, some issues are more indirect. For example, high levels of stress can alter your metabolic environment, which can make fertility more challenging.
The best way to figure out what’s behind your fertility issues is to come in for a thorough evaluation. From there, we can explore the next steps to get your family building underway.
To schedule your comprehensive fertility assessment, we invite you to contact us by calling one of our offices in Columbia or Greenbelt, Maryland, or by using our online booking feature today.
