You know you are infertile if you still cannot get pregnant after about one year of unprotected sex. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that 12% of women between 14 and 44 years have challenges getting pregnant. This isn’t easy to live with personally and as a family. Luckily, most of these conditions can easily be treated. Christopher K Quinsey, MD, an expert in obstetrics and gynecology, treats infertility in Lake Mary, among other reproductive issues. Book an appointment today if you are among those with this issue. Here is what might be the cause of your infertility:
- Ovulation problems
Pregnancy relies heavily on normal ovulation to occur. Therefore, a problem that affects this process has the potential harm to cause infertility. One of the factors contributing to this is polycystic ovary syndrome that interferes with normal ovulation by affecting hormonal balance. Patients may also suffer from primary ovarian insufficiency, where ovaries fail to work before reaching menopause. Having too much prolactin or thyroid hormone may also interfere with normal ovulation.
- Endometriosis
Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of tissues outside the uterus. This may include the ovaries, abdomen, fallopian tubes, and behind the uterus. Some women can fail to show symptoms, while others may experience painful periods and intercourse. Others have irregular menstruations and unusual spotting. The risk with this condition is that it can block fallopian tubes to cause infertility by disrupting implantation. Doctors need to treat endometriosis to restore fertility.
- Obesity
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential, not only for your fertility but also for overall physical health. Obese people are at a higher risk of having miscarriages. People with eating disorders are usually under a restrictive diet, which increases the chances of infertility. The good news is that you can get and carry a pregnancy to term if you lose weight. Obese individuals can restore normal ovulation by losing 5% of their total body weight.
- Uterine abnormalities
A fibroid may cause infertility if they interfere with implantation. Fibroids are non-cancerous tissues that grow on the uterine walls. They cause reproductive problems if they are large or there are many inside the location. The fibroids that do not affect implantation or cause high-risk pregnancies do increase your chances of having a miscarriage. Doctors need to address this issue to restore fertility.
- Older age
Waiting until you are in your 30s or 40s to get a child could work against you. Research shows that a significant portion of women who wait until older age may have fertility problems. In your early 20s, you have numerous high-quality eggs suitable for fertilization. The older you get, the quality reduces. Older ages also mean genetic abnormalities and higher risks of miscarriage. Even if you got a child, it would most likely be born premature or with low birth weight.
Doctors first need to examine you for hormonal imbalance and medical conditions to establish the cause of your infertility. They advise if there are any lifestyle changes that could restore fertility. If it requires medical treatment, they determine the best option and begin the procedures. Christopher K Quinsey, MD follows up on your progress. Book an appointment today for consultation and treatment.
