Female infertility
Female Infertility
Female infertility (/ɪnfərˈtɪlɪti/) is a condition of the reproductive system that prevents the conception of children. It affects approximately 48.5 million women worldwide.
Etymology
The term "infertility" comes from the Latin infertilis, from in- "not" and fertilis "fruitful".
Definition
Female infertility is defined as trying to get pregnant (with frequent intercourse) for at least a year with no success. It may result from age, health problems, lifestyle factors, and many other causes.
Causes
There are many potential causes of female infertility, including problems with ovulation, damage to fallopian tubes or uterus, or problems with the cervix. Age can also contribute to infertility because as a woman ages, her fertility naturally tends to decrease.
Ovulation disorders
Ovulation disorders, meaning you ovulate infrequently or not at all, account for infertility in about 1 in 4 infertile couples. These can be caused by flaws in the regulation of reproductive hormones by the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland, or by problems in the ovary itself.
Damage to fallopian tubes (tubal infertility)
Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes keep sperm from getting to the egg or block the passage of the fertilized egg into the uterus. Causes of fallopian tube damage or blockage can include pelvic inflammatory disease, a history of appendicitis, or previous abdominal or pelvic surgery.
Problems with the uterus or cervix
Abnormalities of the uterus or cervix can contribute to infertility. These can include polyps or fibroids in the uterus.
Treatment
Treatment of female infertility varies depending on the cause, how long you've been infertile, your age and your partner's age, and many personal preferences. Some causes of infertility can't be corrected, but women who are infertile due to ovulation disorders can often become pregnant with medical assistance.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Female infertility
- Wikipedia's article - Female infertility
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