Infertility is defined as the failure of pregnancy after at least one year of regular and unprotected sexual intercourse. Lack of ovulation, which occurs in about 40 percent of women, can be among the common causes of infertility. While the factors that lead to this condition can be difficult to determine in some cases, treatment can be done with many different methods depending on the underlying causes.
Changes in the menstrual cycle and ovulation in women can be a symptom of an infertility-related disease. Infertility in women can be caused by factors such as age, physical problems, hormonal disorders, environmental factors or lifestyle.
What is infertility in women?
Female infertility is the inability to get pregnant and have a successful pregnancy. It is typically diagnosed when pregnancy fails after at least one year of regular and unprotected sexual intercourse. There are many treatment options for infertility, including medications to correct hormonal problems, surgery for physical problems and in vitro fertilization (IVF). When the cause of infertility is determined to be due to the female partner, it is considered female infertility or "female factor" infertility.
What are the symptoms of infertility in women?
The first symptom of infertility in women is the absence of pregnancy after a year of regular and unprotected sexual intercourse. Infertility in women can be caused by many reasons. For this reason, the symptoms may also differ depending on the cause of infertility.
While the absence of pregnancy may be the only symptom in some cases, in some people, problems such as irregular or absent menstrual cycle, excessive hair growth, sexual reluctance may also be among the symptoms of infertility. In addition to these, the symptoms of infertility in women can be listed as follows:
Inability to get pregnant: Failure to become pregnant despite regular and unprotected intercourse for at least one year is the first symptom of infertility. In women 35 years of age and older, infertility can be suspected in the absence of pregnancy for 6 months.
Menstrual Irregularity: Menstrual irregularity can also be an indicator of ovulation irregularities. While this cycle may vary from person to person, it may indicate the presence of a problem when it lasts longer than 35 days or shorter than 21 days.
Pain during sexual intercourse: Experiencing pain during sexual intercourse can be a sign of an underlying health problem that can negatively affect fertility.
Sexual Reluctance: Sexual drive or reluctance may be among the symptoms of infertility.
Painful and Long Menstrual Periods: The severity of cramps and pain experienced during menstrual periods may vary from person to person. Severe pain and bleeding lasting too long can be among the symptoms.
Hormone Changes: While excessive hair growth in the chin, chest and back areas is among the causes of hormonal disorder, this is also considered as infertility symptoms.
Obesity: Women who are overweight are less likely to conceive than those who are not. Therefore, obesity and weight problems may also be among the symptoms.
What are the Causes of Infertility in Women?
Infertility is a health problem that can affect both men and women. This condition can be seen due to many different causes. The causes of infertility in women are as follows:
Ovulation Disorders: It is one of the most important causes of infertility in women. This condition can be caused by hormonal disorders, genetic factors, stress, tumors or cysts.
Age: A decrease in the number of eggs is seen in women aged 35 and over.
Obstruction in the Fallopian tubes: In cases of obstruction in the canal that provides the relationship between the uterus and the ovary, the egg cell cannot reach the uterus and pregnancy cannot occur.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): It is among the most important causes of infertility in women. Although the cause of this condition is not known exactly, the most important risk factor is genetic predisposition. People with this syndrome often have ovulation disorders.
Risk Factors for Infertility in Women
While risk factors can include many different factors, the factors that can lead to infertility in women are as follows:
- Smoking
- Alcohol use
- Overweight (Obesity)
- Extreme thinness
- Stress
- Age (35 years and older for women)
Treatment of Infertility in Women
Treatment of infertility in women can be done depending on the age of the person and the underlying causes. During treatment, it is helpful for individuals to quit any harmful habits, maintain a healthy weight and avoid factors such as stress. Treatment is planned together with the determination of the cause of infertility. Some of the main methods applied in the treatment of infertility in women are as follows:
Drug Therapy: Drug therapy aims to correct hormonal disorders and ensure ovulation. This treatment is among the most preferred methods.
Surgical Intervention: If infertility is seen due to blockage in the tubes or a different health problem, the specialist may recommend surgery.
Vaccination Method: Vaccination treatment; It is an application based on the principle of placing the sperm taken from the male individual directly into the female uterus through a thin catheter. In this context, the sperm reaches the egg more easily.
IVF Treatment: This method is different from vaccination. Egg cells taken from female individuals and sperm cells taken from male individuals are left to fertilization in the laboratory and then placed in the uterus of the female individual.