Making the big decision to grow your family is exciting, but for many couples, the journey to parenthood is a challenging one. In fact, nearly one in every five women faces female infertility in the United States.
Infertility is typically defined as being unable to get pregnant after one year of trying. The key to treating the issue begins with understanding the cause.
Sabrina Harrison, MD, PC, and our team at Sovereign Women's Healthcare can help you get the answers you need. We offer compassionate care for women facing infertility, and here we’re taking a closer look at the top five most common causes of female fertility problems.
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects as many as 5 million women. It creates hormonal imbalances that disrupt the ovulation process, and if you don’t ovulate, you can’t get pregnant. PCOS can cause irregular menstrual cycles, anovulation (lack of ovulation), and small cysts on your ovaries, all of which can make it challenging to conceive.
If you have PCOS, Dr. Harrison may recommend lifestyle modifications, medication, or fertility treatments to improve your chances of getting pregnant.
Up to 10% of women have endometriosis: a condition where the tissue that normally lines your uterus (endometrium) grows outside it. This abnormal growth can cause inflammation, pain, and adhesions.
Endometriosis can affect your fertility in a few different ways. It can lower egg quality, and adhesions can block your fallopian tubes and interfere with the normal functioning of your reproductive organs.
A few of the most effective treatment options for endometriosis-related infertility are hormone therapy, laparoscopic surgery, and fertility treatments.
Your fallopian tubes transport eggs from your ovaries to your uterus — and any blockage or damage to your fallopian tubes can hinder this process. Fallopian tube issues can prevent sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg or prevent the fertilized egg from reaching your uterus.
Common causes of fallopian tube disorders are pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), previous pelvic surgeries, or tubal ligation. If you have fallopian tube issues, Dr. Harrison might recommend fertility treatments, like in vitro fertilization (IVF), to help you get pregnant.
Another common cause of female infertility is uterine issues. Conditions like uterine fibroids, polyps, or abnormalities in the shape of your uterus can interfere with implantation or the ability to carry a pregnancy to term.
In these cases, Dr. Harrison might order a diagnostic procedure like hysteroscopy or an imaging study to help diagnose uterine issues. Treatment options may include surgical interventions or fertility treatments tailored to address your specific needs.
Finally, age impacts fertility, and getting older is a top cause of declining fertility. The quantity and quality of your eggs decrease as you age, making it more challenging to conceive. In fact, female fertility begins to decline around age 30, with a more significant drop after age 35.
That means if you’re trying to get pregnant in your 30s or beyond, it can be helpful to start fertility care earlier rather than later. Fertility treatments can help improve your chances of getting and staying pregnant.
Navigating infertility is a difficult and often emotional journey. But understanding the common causes can be the first step towards seeking appropriate interventions. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Harrison at Sovereign Women's Healthcare to learn more. Call us at 770-670-6145 or request an appointment online today.
