Understanding Female Infertility
We recognise the overwhelming impact infertility can have on women and couples, both emotionally and mentally. Understanding female infertility is the first step to empower you on your journey to parenthood.
Defining Infertility
Infertility isn’t just a medical term; it’s a deeply personal journey that many women face. Feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and shame often accompany infertility, impacting mental health and overall wellbeing. For many women, infertility can challenge their sense of identity and purpose.
The term infertility is often characterised by the inability to fall pregnant or carry a pregnancy to full term despite doing all the “right things”. Medically speaking, infertility is when a woman hasn’t conceived after 12 months of unprotected sex.
How Common Is Infertility?
Infertility is common for both men and women. In Australia, infertility affects about 1 in 6 couples. Women over 35 face a 1 in 3 chance of infertility, compared to 1 in 35 for men.
When couples experience difficulties conceiving, studies show that 30% of infertility is due to male factors, 30% to female infertility, 30% to a combination of both, and 10% remains unexplained.
But infertility doesn’t necessarily mean you will never be able to carry your own child. It just means you may need to navigate a more complex journey than others.
Female Reproductive Health Basics
Before we look at the causes of female infertility, let’s talk about the female reproductive system. Understanding your body is key to navigating infertility, empowering you take make informed decisions about your fertility journey.
The female reproductive system consists of:
- The vagina
- The cervix
- The uterus
- The fallopian tubes
- The ovaries
These organs work together to help a woman have their period (menstruate). When you’re trying, they’re meant to help you have a baby.
To have a healthy pregnancy and conceive naturally, your reproductive system needs to go through the following steps:
- Your ovaries release a healthy egg.
- The egg makes its way into the fallopian tube.
- Healthy, good quality sperm fertilises the egg to form an embryo.
- The embryo starts to divide and grow as it moves towards the uterus.
- The embryo attaches itself to the lining of the uterus.
- Your uterus receives the embryo and gives it the nutrients needed for it to grow into a baby.
If you’re trying and not getting pregnant, it might mean one or more of these steps aren’t happening.
What Are the Causes of Infertility in Women?
Any number of factors can cause female infertility. After looking at the female reproductive system, there are several common reasons or medical issues that cause infertility.
1. Ovulatory Disorders
Ovulatory disorders are a common cause of infertility in women. This happens when the process of releasing an egg from the ovary isn’t regular or doesn’t happen at all.
Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and premature ovarian insufficiency can throw off the hormonal balance needed for ovulation, making it challenging to conceive.
2. Blocked or Damaged Fallopian Tubes
Your fallopian tubes are the essential bridges that connect your ovaries to your uterus. They are help the egg and sperm meet and guide the fertilised egg to the uterus.
If these tubes get damaged or blocked, it means sperm might not be able to reach the egg. This can happen due to infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, previous ectopic pregnancies, or damage from surgery.
3. Age
A woman’s age plays a big role in fertility health. Women have all the eggs they will ever have from birth. As you get older, the quantity and quality of your eggs decline.
This decline speeds up after the age of 35, and ever more so after 40. As egg quality decreases, there’s a higher chance of miscarriage or having a baby with a genetic abnormality.
4. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a reproductive condition a lot of women struggle with, and it can really throw a twist into fertility plans.
Essentially, endo is when tissue similar to the lining of your uterus (endometrial tissue) grows outside of your uterus. During your period, your body can’t break down this tissue, which can lead to inflammation, pain, and potential scarring in your ovaries, pelvis, bowel, or bladder. This scar tissue can damage your ovaries, block the fallopian tubes, or reduce egg quality.
5. Other Potential Factors
Other potential factors may include:
- Thyroid disorders: both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can disrupt menstrual cycles and ovulation.
- Lifestyle facts: obesity, extreme weight loss, excessive exercise, smoking, and alcohol use can negatively impact fertility.
- Chronic conditions: diseases such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and certain infections can also affect fertility.
- Fibroids: Benign growths or lumps of music tissue that form in the wall of the uterus.
Treatment Options for Infertility
There are a range of treatment options available to overcome fertility challenges. Here’s a look at some common options:
Surgery
In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to address underlying reproductive conditions that contribute to infertility. Procedures like laparoscopy and hysteroscopy can help treat conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, polyps, or structural abnormalities.
Ovulation Induction
If you’re noticing irregular or absent periods, it could indicate irregular or absent ovulation too. Fortunately, there are ways to stimulate ovulation. Oral or injectable medications can induce ovulation, prompting our body to produce more follicle stimulating hormone. This, in turn, induces ovulation.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
IUI involves placing prepared sperm directly into the uterus during ovulation. Bringing the sperm closer to the egg means an increase chance of fertilisation. This procedure helps couples with male or unexplained infertility, single women, or same-sex couples using donor sperm.
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
IVF is a ground breaking option for individuals or couples facing infertility challenges. This assisted reproductive technology involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries and fertilising them with sperm in a lab setting. Once fertilised, the embryos are carefully monitored and nurtured before being transferred into the uterus, where they have the opportunity to implant and develop into a pregnancy.
IVF offers hope to those with various fertility issues, including blocked tubes, endometriosis, male infertility, or unexplained fertility. It’s a comprehensive approach to addressing reproductive challenges, offering individuals and couples the chance to become parents.
Support for Your Journey
To all the women navigating the complexities of infertility, we are here to support you. We understand the emotional rollercoaster, the uncertainty, and the challenges you may face along the way. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Reach out to your loved ones, your healthcare providers, or online communities for the support and understanding you need. You’re stronger than you know!