INFERTILITY IN WOMEN

Most couple has the strong desire to conceive but sometimes the case is not always as thought, approximately 85% will achieve this within one year. As a result; infertility means inability to conceive within one year of unprotected sex.

One should seek for help when these scenarios begin to projects.

Irregular menstruation: When a woman has regular menstrual periods, which is a regular cycle occurring every 21 to 34 days, this indicates that she ovulates regularly, ovulation takes place close to two weeks before the start of the next period.        
Normal ovulation is essential for producing a mature egg that can be fertilized, disorders in ovulation can impair conception and cause infertility, Women having problems with ovulation will not generally have menses at regular intervals, Keeping a journal of menses can be a very helpful tool to evaluate ovulation, Ovulation of egg is indispensable for pregnancy; however, infrequent menstrual cycle should be evaluated.

Female Age: Egg numbers tends to decrease with age, its quality and genetically normal, Therefore if a woman age is up to 35 and has been attempting pregnancy, is recommended that fertility evaluation should be carried out.

Previous record of pelvic or STDs: Sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, can cause permanent scaring of the Fallopian tubes and inflammation. Tubes are open for natural conception and sperm has to traverse the tubes to reach the ovulated egg. As part of fertility evaluation, you will go for HSG, A test to check the Fallopian tubes function.

Endometrial polyps or uterine fibroid: Abnormalities in the uterus, such as fibroid affect the lining of the uterus and embryo to lower implantation; it can cause unusual bleeding and should be corrected or removed by hysteroscopy.

Infertility Tests

Previous record and physical examination: Your doctor will ask you some questions: your intercourse record, how long you have been trying to get pregnant,  Pain during menstrual periods or intercourse, if you been pregnant before, if you have previous sexually transmitted infections or prior surgeries.

Trans-vaginal ultrasound: Ultrasound is an important tool for evaluating the morphology of the uterus, tubes and ovaries, uterine abnormalities such as, fibroid and polyps, distal Fallopian tube occlusion and ovarian cysts, this tool helps  to detect the available eggs and the measurement is called antral follicle count.

Laboratory testing: Depending on the results evaluated, a blood test may be requested by your physician to enable him measure the blood levels of certain hormones such as estradiol and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), which are related to ovarian function and overall egg numbers; thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH), which assesses thyroid function; and prolactin, a hormone that can affect menstrual function when over-secreted.