Symptoms Of Female Infertility

Symptoms of Female Infertility

Infertility is inability to naturally conceive a child or carry a pregnancy to full term. There are a lot of reasons for a couple to not be able to conceive, with or without medical assistance. A female is said to be infertile when she is not able to conceive after one year of attempting to become pregnant. Some women are unproductive because their ovaries do not mature or release eggs. In this case, synthetic Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) can be given as injections for stimulating eggs to mature in ovaries. In some cases, both a male and female can be infertile or sub-fertile. In such a case, infertility arises from the combination of their conditions. It may also be possible that each partner is independently fertile, but the couple cannot conceive together without medical assistance.

Symptoms

There are various factors relating to female infertility. Diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, adrenal disease, and significant liver or kidney diseases are general factors. There may also be hypothalamic-pituitary factors. These are Kallmann syndrome, hypothalamic dysfunction, hyperprolactinemia, and hypopituitarism. The ovarian factors include polycystic ovarian syndrome, anovulation, diminished ovarian reserve, luteal dysfunction, premature menopause, gonadal dysgenesys i.e. Turner syndrome, and ovarian neoplasm. Tubal or peritoneal factors include endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) usually due to chlamydia, tubal occlusion, and tubal dysfunction.


The uterine factors are uterine malformations, uterine fibroids i.e. leiomyoma, and Asherman’s syndrome. Moreover, cervical factors are cervical stenosis, antisperm antibodies, and insufficient cervical mucus for travel and survival of sperm. The vaginal factors include vaginismus, and vaginal obstruction. Finally, the genetic factors are various intersexed conditions such as androgen insensitivity syndrome.


A couple may decide to opt for treatments for female infertility in order to bear a biological child. There are many options available. It is a good idea to consult with a doctor and a fertility specialist for choosing appropriate options. Many of the causes of female fertility can be effectively treated. A couple may consider other options such as adoption or foster care of children.


Female infertility can be psychologically very tough for handling. Issues of guilt, anger, and frustration may arise between couples. It is very important to discuss one’s feelings, hopes, fears, and dreams openly with her partner. If there are communication problems, couples can seek help from a counselor.