In most cases, the usual monthly release of the ovum (egg) from the surface of the ovary occurs irregularly, and sometimes not at all. It is this which is probably responsible for the development of cysts in the ovary. As a result, the ovary misbehaves by producing the wrong hormone balance. In a few cases, the problem results from an abnormality of another gland (the adrenal) due to a hold-up in the production line of its hormones.
- Have multiple sex partners
- Have a sexually transmitted disease
- Excessive drinking, smoking and drug use of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and crack
- Have a past history of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease)
- Have eating disorders
- Anovulatory menstrual cycles
- Have a chronic disease like diabetes
At Babiesand Us, we can diagnose and treat your cause of infertility, so that you can be parents.
Any fault in the maturation of the egg (follicle), ovulation, quality of the egg, fertilization of the egg, implantation of the egg can lead to infertility.
The damage to the tubes can occur due to infections, endometriosis or adhesions. These block the fallopian tubes thereby inhibiting the egg to travel towards the sperm and vice versa. (info)
The cervix produces a substance (mucous) that becomes thin at the time of ovulation, so that the sperm can easily pass through to meet the egg. Abnormality in the cervix results in poor quality of the mucous, usually a poor viscous mass that prevents the sperm journey through the cervix.
The menstrual cycle of a woman represents the fertilization phenomenon. The various stages that your body goes through every month, are the essential processes that determine fertility or infertility. Any flaw or malfunction of the organs can disrupt the cycle and can result in infertility.
You have a pair of ovaries, one of which produces an egg every twenty-eight days to thirty-six days. Each of these twenty-eight days represents the menstrual cycle. The female reproductive system must undergo the following processes for fertilization to take place.
- The ovary houses many follicles, each of which produces a single egg
- The follicles must mature satisfactorily under the influence of the FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinzing Hormone) produced by the pituitary gland.
- While maturing, the follicles must produce another hormone called estrogen, which prepares the uterus lining (womb) for receiving the fertilized egg. (implantation)
- The most mature and dominant follicle should release an egg in the middle of the cycle. In other words, you must ovulate without any disorders.
- The mature egg must travel through the fallopian tube where it might get fertilized with a sperm.
- The sperm must pass through the cervical mucus to fertilize the egg
- The fertilized egg must get implanted into the uterus.
Endometriosis is a curable abnormality of the endometrial tissue that lines your uterus. Endometriosis can be treated medically and surgically.
In endometriosis, microscopic bits of the tissue escape the uterus, instead of getting washed out during your menstrual cycle and get deposited onto other organs like the ovaries, inner walls of the uterus, the ligaments that support the uterus and the space between the uterus and the rectum.
The tissue reacts to estrogen and progesterone, to thicken and bleed. The blood does not have any escape and effects the surrounding organs to develop what are referred as cysts, scars, lesions, nodules, growths and adhesions.
You could be diagnosed as having minimal, mild, moderate or severe endometriosis. But, the presence of endometrioisis demands immediate attention and cure or else it can cause infertility.
These occur when the FSH, LH and estrogen hormones are not produced at the right time, in the right order and in the right amount. An imbalance in any of these prevents the mature egg from being released from the ovary, thereby causing infertility. The three types of ovulation disorders are:
This is a condition when a woman does not ovulate at all.
Luteal Phase defect
is a condition where there is a mature egg, but it does not attach itself to the uterus, thus preventing pregnancy. This is due to a deficiency in the production of a hormone (progesterone which is needed to build the uterine lining for implantation)
Premature luteinization
is when the production of progesterone occurs prematurely and thus interferes in maturity and fertilization of the egg.
