Infertility in Women (Female Infertility)
What is infertility in women?
Бесплодие – невозможность женщины забеременеть после многих лет попыток это сделать. Pregnancy is possible if there is a regular, unprotected sex. About one-third of infertility cases are caused by male factors. Half of the cases of infertility caused by female factors. In other cases, the cause of infertility is unknown or is caused by the presence of problems in both partners.
The causes of infertility in women
Successful conception involves several steps:
- The egg comes from a woman's ovaries (ovulation);
- The egg is in the fallopian tubes. Here the male sperm can fertilize it;
- If the egg is fertilized, it moves through the fallopian tubes into the uterus;
- Egg attaches to the uterine wall. Here she begins her 40 weeks of development, before birth.
Most cases of infertility related to problems with ovulation, or problems with fallopian tubes.
Проблемы с овуляцией – причина бесплодия
If the egg is not out of the follicle in the ovary, a woman can not get pregnant. This problem is the cause of about 40% infertility. Some factors, which can cause problems with ovulation:
- Hormonal disorders;
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome;
- Disorders of ovulation;
- Ovarian Cysts.
Проблемы с маточными трубами – причина бесплодия
If the fallopian tubes are damaged or blocked, fertilization and hit her in the womb may be difficult. This can cause problems:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease;
- Endometriosis;
- Previous surgery, which changed the structure of the pelvis, or led to the appearance of scar tissue in the pelvic organs;
- Ectopic pregnancy;
- Birth defects.
Risk factors for infertility in women
Factors, which increase the likelihood of female infertility:
- Age: senior 35 years;
- Very high or very low levels of body fat (resulting in lack of ovulation), obesity;
- Excessive exercise (In most sports the treatment of obesity);
- Chronic diseases, such as:
- Diabetes;
- Lupus;
- Osteoarthritis;
- Hypertension;
- Asthma;
- Smoking;
- Excessive intake of caffeine;
- Alcohol consumption;
- Occupational exposure:
- High temperatures;
- Toxic substances;
- Ximikalii;
- Pesticides;
- Radiated;
- Constant stress;
- Disease:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease;
- Endometriosis;
- Polycystic ovaries;
- Ectopic pregnancy;
- Renal failure;
- Cirrhosis;
- Tumors of the pituitary gland;
- Anorexia nervosa;
- Autoimmune hypothyroidism;
- Hysteromyoma;
- Operation pelvic (including operation in the uterus);
- Nespetsificheskiy yazvennыy colitis;
- Crohn's Disease;
- Epilepsy;
- Cushing's disease;
- Serpovidnokletochnaya anemia;
- HIV infection;
- Kidney disease;
- Appendicitis with complications (gap);
- Some medications, including:
- Acetaminophen;
- Ibuprofen;
- Analgesics;
- Antibiotics;
- Antidepressants.
Женское бесплодие – симптомы
After one year of unsuccessful attempts to become pregnant, You and your partner should seek help from a doctor.
Diagnosis of infertility in women
During the first visit will be carried out inspection of both partners. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. He will look for physical problems, which can lead to infertility.
They can be assigned to the following tests, to assess the presence of ovulation:
- Измерение базальной температуры тела – температура повышается в период овуляции и остается повышенной в течение второй половины менструального цикла и во время беременности. The temperature must be measured every day and record it in the log;
- Анализ крови – для измерения уровня гормонов;
- Биопсия эндометрия – чтобы определить какие изменения овуляция вызывает в слизистой оболочке матки.
For a survey of the state of the uterus and fallopian tubes are used:
- Гистеросальпингография – рентген матки и маточных труб;
- Трансвагинальное УЗИ – датчик УЗИ вставляется во влагалище, to take pictures of the pelvic organs;
- Гистероскопия – тонкий прибор вставляется через шейку в матку, to examine its condition;
- Лапароскопия – небольшое устройство с камерой вставляется в разрез в брюшной полости, that allows the doctor to examine the fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus.
Treatment of infertility in women
Treatment depends on, causing infertility. Treatment of female infertility can be quite costly and time-consuming.
Lifestyle changes to treat infertility
To treat infertility doctor may first suggest the following steps:
- Changing the timing of sexual activity (sex must be activated during the period of ovulation);
- Maintaining a healthy weight;
- Avoiding tobacco and alcohol;
- Avoiding excessive exercise;
- Avoidance or treatment of stress and depression.
Medicine for infertility for women
If ovulation is absent, your doctor may prescribe medication, that cause it. At their reception increases the likelihood of multiple births.
The operation for the treatment of infertility in women
If the fallopian tubes are blocked, perhaps, need surgery, to open them. Operation, eg, momektomiya, It is also used to correct problems with the pelvic or delete:
- Ovarian Cysts;
- Uterine fibroids;
- Scar tissue.
Assisted reproductive technologies (GARDEN)
ART involves using a male sperm and a female egg or embryo in the laboratory, to help with conception. The eggs and sperm can be taken away from the woman and her partner, or taken from another donor. ART methods include:
- Искусственное оплодотворение – сперма собирается и обрабатывается в лаборатории, and then injected directly into the cervix or in the uterus itself.
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) – несколько зрелых яйцеклеток отбираются у женщины, and then mixed with sperm in a laboratory. A mixture of egg and sperm, or 2-3 days the embryo is placed in the uterus;
- Перенос гамет и зигот в маточные трубы – яйцеклетка удаляется из тела женщины, and by using special techniques mixed with sperm in a laboratory. A mixture of egg and sperm, or 2-3 days the embryo is placed in the fallopian tube;
- Перенос бластоцист – яйцеклетка отбирается из организма женщины, coupled with sperm, and after fertilization begins to develop outside the female body. After some time, the embryo is implanted into the uterus;
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection into the cytoplasm (ICSI — IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection) – в яйцеклетку вводится один сперматозоид. Then, the resulting embryo can then be implanted into the uterus or frozen for later use.
Prevention of infertility in women
Not all causes of infertility can be prevented. To prevent infertility:
- We need to quit smoking;
- Limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol;
- Maintain a healthy body weight;
- Protect yourself from diseases, sexually transmitted (STD), using condoms. Minimize the number of sexual partners;
- Avoid situations, causing stress and depression.