Explore some of the possible causes of female infertility.
There are many elements to consider when trying to conceive and statistics indicate that many couples try for up to six months before conception occurs. Infertility is thought to be present when a couple has been unable to conceive after a year to 18 months of trying. There are many causes of infertility.
Female infertility may arise due to problems associated with ovulation. The hormonal system may not be releasing the necessary hormones. This system is extremely sensitive and may be affected by factors such as:
- allergies or sensitivities
- significant weight loss
- strenuous physical activity
- stress
- exposure to chemicals
- nutritional disturbances
- an inability for the body to absorb essential nutrients disease
Structural Faults
In rare cases, there may be congenital structural faults. There could be a lack of reproductive organs or faulty organs such as blocked or twisted fallopian tubes. The health of the vagina, womb and fallopian tubes may not be favourable for fertilisation to occur. Sometimes the womb lining is unable to support implantation.
Medical Conditions
A history of endometriosis, polyps, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease or genitourinary infection such as chlamydia trachomatis may also affect the environment.
Age
Age decreases fertility. The reason for this is that as a woman gets older, the eggs being released that are capable of being fertilised are in gradual decline.
In Australia 53 per cent of fertility can be attributed to mothers under 30 years of age. Figures for percentage of total births born to particular age groups are as follows (per cent):
19 and under 5.2,
20-24 16.8
25-29 31.0
30-34 31.1
35-39 13.5
40 and over 2.5
The Egg
A particular egg may not be healthy and may be incapable of developing after fertilisation. Or it may implant but produce abnormalities. An egg may implant incorrectly outside the womb to produce an ectopic pregnancy. This is more likely in cases where the tubes are blocked due to infection.
Nature has an amazing ability to detect deformities and encourage miscarriage in early pregnancy, which is when many miscarriages occur, often undetected.
Poor Nutrition
A woman’s body may not be healthy enough to maintain the pregnancy, perhaps due to poor nutrition, an over-high level of copper, zinc or magnesium deficiency, infection, allergic illness or toxicity.
Stopping Contraception
Often a woman decides to stop the contraceptive pill after a long period of time in the hope of becoming pregnant. The hormonal cycle has been controlled artificially for so long that it may take some time for the body to resume its own natural hormonal rhythm. It has also been found that long periods of taking the contraceptive pill can lower the levels of folic acid, the B vitamin necessary for healthy foetal development.