Conception is a complex process. For a woman to become pregnant, her ovaries must produce healthy, mature eggs, which can be fertilized by sperm. If an egg is fertilized, it becomes a zygote, which will move through the fallopian tubes to the uterus, where it can implant, resulting in pregnancy. We can help you understand common infertility causes, diagnose your particular condition, and create a treatment plan to improve your chances of conception. Let’s explain common female infertility causes and how our Scottsdale fertility specialists can help you combat them.
Systemic Health Concerns
Your general well-being can have a tremendous influence on your ability to become pregnant. The following conditions and behaviors can interfere with your ability to conceive:
- Cancer: Cancer of the reproductive system can prevent your ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, or uterus from functioning properly. In addition, cancer treatments such as radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery can impact your chances of becoming pregnant.
- Age: As women age, they may produce unhealthy eggs, have diminished ovarian reserves, ovulate on an abnormal schedule, or become more likely to miscarry.
- Blood-clotting disorders: If your blood clots too easily, this can make you more prone to miscarriage, poor fetal development, hypertension, and other complications.
- Thyroid conditions: Since your thyroid produces important hormones required for conception, any abnormalities with the thyroid can disrupt ovulation and other reproductive functions.
- Lifestyle choices: Smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use can interfere with conception. Improving your nutrition and exercise can help you improve your overall health and ability to conceive.
Our doctors will work with you and your primary care physician, nutritionist, and/or other specialists to determine an appropriate fertility treatment that addresses your unique needs, and any systemic health concerns.
Endometrial Causes
Your endometrium is the membrane that lines your uterus to allow for embryo implantation. It thickens throughout your monthly reproductive cycle and your body sheds it during menstruation. Improper endometrial function can disrupt implantation and your overall reproductive function. There are two primary endometrial conditions that can cause female infertility:
- Endometriosis: This condition results when endometrial tissue develops outside of the uterus, often damaging the fallopian tubes, pelvis, and other surrounding regions. The inflammation and scarring associated with endometriosis can prevent you from conceiving.
- Adenomyosis: Similar to endometriosis, adenomyosis occurs when endometrial tissue forms within the musculature of the uterus. This can warp and damage the uterine structure, impacting its function.
If you suffer from either of these conditions and wish to become pregnant, our fertility specialists may perform uterine surgery or prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to help manage your symptoms. We may also recommend In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to help patients with these disorders conceive and deliver a healthy baby.
Ovulation Issues
Some women do not ovulate properly. This could be related to insufficient egg volume, hormonal imbalances, poor ova quality, or a condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which occurs when fluid-filled growths develop on the follicles and prevent healthy egg development. Our specialists can provide hormone therapy, guide you through the IVF process, or, in some cases, recommend using an egg donor, which can help women with ovulatory issues to conceive.
Tubal Factor Infertility
Damage, inflammation, or other obstruction of the fallopian tubes can prevent a woman from becoming pregnant. To treat tubal factor infertility, our doctors can perform surgery or recommend IVF to circumvent this structural problem.
Let Us Help You
Our experienced fertility specialists can diagnose and treat a variety of female infertility causes. Contact us to schedule a consultation and find out how we can help you conceive.
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