Female infertility

Female infertility is a condition that affects approximately one-third of all couples who have difficulty conceiving. It is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse. Female infertility can be caused by a variety of factors, including age, lifestyle, and medical conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of female infertility include:

• Ovulation disorders: These disorders, which affect the release of eggs from the ovaries, are the most common cause of female infertility. They can be caused by hormonal imbalances, eating disorders, obesity, and other medical conditions.

• Tubal infertility: This occurs when there is damage to the fallopian tubes, which carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. This can be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease, previous surgery, or endometriosis.

• Endometriosis: This condition occurs when tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can affect the function of the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes.

• Uterine or cervical abnormalities: These can include problems with the opening of the cervix, polyps in the uterus, or the shape of the uterus.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of female infertility usually involves a thorough medical history and physical examination, as well as tests to determine the cause of infertility. These tests may include:

• Ovulation testing: A blood test is performed to measure hormone levels to determine whether you're ovulating.

• Hysterosalpingography: This is a radiological test to check the shape of the uterus and the patency of the fallopian tubes.

• Laparoscopy: This is a surgical procedure that involves making a small incision near the navel and inserting a thin viewing device to examine the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus.

Treatment

Treatment for female infertility depends on the cause, the woman's age, how long she has been infertile, and personal preferences. Treatment options can include:

• Fertility drugs: These are medications that stimulate ovulation.

• Intrauterine insemination (IUI): This involves placing healthy sperm inside the uterus to facilitate fertilization.

• Assisted reproductive technology (ART): This includes procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), in which mature eggs are retrieved from a woman, fertilized by sperm in a lab, and then transferred to the woman's uterus.

See also

• Male infertility
• Infertility treatments
• Assisted reproductive technology

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