If you are under 35 and have not been able to get pregnant after having regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for at one year, you should see a fertility doctor. For women over 35, the time period for trying to get pregnant naturally is shortened to six months. Look: A woman’s fertility is dependent upon her overall health, wellness and lifestyle choices. Many women suffering from infertility use up too much valuable time trying to conceive naturally when there is a simple medical solution to their problem. Bottom Line: Don’t delay treatment.

When to See a Fertility Specialist

Infertility can be difficult to diagnose. The sooner you seek help from a fertility specialist, the less time you will waste trying to get pregnant.

• A woman’s peak fertility years are in her 20s to mid-30s
• Women in their peak fertility years have a 20 percent chance of pregnancy every month
• A woman’s fertility level begins to decline after 30 and there is a precipitous drop after she turns 35
• Women over 40 only have about a 5 percent chance of getting pregnant during any given month

Symptoms of Infertility

Are you experiencing any of these symptoms?

• Inability to get pregnant
• Menstrual cycle lasting too long – over 35 days
• Too short of a menstrual cycle – under 21 days
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Absent menstrual cycle

Common Causes of Female-Factor Infertility

You may be suffering from one of these medical conditions:

• Failure to ovulate
• Irregular ovulation
• Uterine fibroids
• Ovarian cysts
• Endometriosis
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Blocked Fallopian tubes
• Abnormally shaped uterus or cervix
• Hormonal imbalance

Diagnostic Testing for Female-Factor Infertility

You may benefit from one or more of these diagnostic tests:

• Blood work to evaluate hormone levels
• Ultrasound to examine reproductive organs
• Hysteroscopy to examine the uterine cavity
• Laparoscopy to examine the uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries

Ovulation Disorders

An ovulation disorder is diagnosed when a woman ovulates irregularly – or – not at all. Problems with the regulation of reproductive hormones cause ovulation disorders.

• Hypothalamus
• Pituitary gland
• Ovary non-function

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS causes a hormone imbalance and adversely affects a woman’s ovulation. PCOS is detected by:

• Insulin resistance
• Obesity
• Abnormal hair growth
• Acne

Hypothalamic Dysfunction

When the production of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) are disrupted by the following events, a woman’s ovulation is affected and irregular or absent periods occur.

• Excessive emotional stress
• Excessive physical stress
• High BMI
• Low BMI
• Sudden weight loss
• Sudden weight gain

Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)

Also known as Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, this condition is caused by an autoimmune response. Premature loss of eggs from a woman’s ovary can be due to genetics or chemotherapy treatment.

• A women under 40 is no longer able to produce eggs
• Estrogen levels are lowered in women under the age of 40

Too Much Prolactin

The pituitary gland may cause excess production of prolactin – hyperprolactinemia. This reduces estrogen production and causes infertility. Medications may also cause a pituitary gland problem.

Damaged Fallopian Tubes

Known as tubal infertility, damaged or blocked Fallopian tubes prevent sperm from reaching a woman’s egg – or – block the passage of a fertilized into the uterus.

Causes:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Uterine infection
• Fallopian tube infection caused by STD – chlamydia, gonorrhea
• Ectopic pregnancy surgery
• Abdomen or pelvic surgery

Endometriosis

When tissue that normally grows within a woman’s uterus grows in other areas of the reproductive system, endometriosis is diagnosed. This extra tissue growth causes scarring and blocks the Fallopian tubes.

• Adversely affects the lining of the uterus
• Disrupts the implantation of a fertilized egg
• Damages egg
• Damages sperm
• Blocks sperm from traveling toward egg
• Block a fertilized egg from traveling into the uterus

Uterine or Cervical Conditions

Uterine or cervical conditions can cause infertility.

• Interference with implantation of an embryo
• Increase of a miscarriage should an embryo implant in the uterine lining and then fail to thrive

What are the causes?

• Benign polyps (fibroids) in the uterus
• Benign tumors (myomas) in the uterus

These conditions can block Fallopian tube passage or interfere with implantation in the uterine lining.

Other conditions:

• Abnormally shaped uterus
• Narrowing of the cervix
• Insufficient production of cervical mucus

World Renowned Fertility Specialists

Contact the Fertility Specialists at New Hope Fertility Center and discover the reason you can’t get pregnant. Then, let us design a customized fertility treatment plan to help you have a baby. To schedule your initial consultation, click the icon below – or – call 917.525.5496.