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In a healthy female without fertility problems, an egg is released approximately
14 days before the onset of menstruation. This egg travels through the fallopian
tubes and into the uterus. If the egg becomes fertilized during this journey, it
will lodge itself into the uterine lining and pregnancy has begun. In a healthy
young couple, this will generally happen within five months of trying to
conceive, although a fertility problem isn¡¯t considered until 12 months has
elapsed. Eighty percent of couples have no problems conceiving, while 20 percent
experience fertility complications. Of this 20 percent of couples who experience
fertility issues, 40 percent of the fertility complications originate within the
female.
Female infertility can be caused by a number of factors including ovulation issues, problems within the fallopian tubes or cervix, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, uterine polyps, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and idiopathic infertility.
When a woman is ovulating normally, hormones are released in her body that cause the ovaries to ripen her eggs. If a woman is experiencing irregular periods or absence of menstruation altogether, it is possible that she is not ovulating. Causes of irregular ovulation are various, but age plays a major factor. A woman is born with her entire egg supply and by age 40, her chances of becoming pregnant are five in 100.
Because the egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube, a fallopian tube that is blocked or has experienced scarring can prevent the egg from meeting up with the sperm and becoming fertilized. A thick or irregular cervix can also prevent sperm from fertilizing the egg. If the egg does become fertilized, scarring or abnormalties of the uterus, such as fibroids or polyps, can prevent the egg from imbedding into the uterus and can prevent the pregnancy from developing.
Polycystic ovarian disease is a condition that was largely undiagnosed until recently. Lately, doctors have been recognizing the condition and the fertility problems that it leads to and more women are being diagnosed. When a woman has polycystic ovarian disease, her follicles do not ripen during ovulation and an egg is not released. Instead, male hormones are often released causing symptoms such as infertility, mood swings, and weight gain.
Approximately 10 percent of all infertility cases will be classified as idiopathic infertility. A case of infertility is deemed idiopathic when there is no cause and the infertility cannot be explained.
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