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Fibroids, Fertility and Pregnancy – Do uterine fibroids cause infertility and should they be removed to increase fertility? – can fibroids make it difficult to get pregnant? – Uterine Fibroid Symptoms and Complications Treatment in Surat Gujarat – How do fibroids affect Pregnancy – fertility? – Learn how fibroids affect fertility in this article -Fibroids and infertility – an updated systematic review of the evidence – Treatment Options for Fibroids of Uterus – Fibroids and Pregnancy
Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors of the uterus (womb). Fibroids grow out of the cells that make up your uterus. Uterine fibroids (also called myomas or leiomyomas) are benign (noncancerous) tumors of muscle tissue that can change the shape or size of the uterus and sometimes the cervix. They start in the smooth muscle cells inside the wall of the uterus (myometrium). Fibroids usually occur in the form of multiple tumors, although single fibroids are sometimes possible. Fibroids can be as small as a pea or as large as a football. Having uterine fibroids does not increase your risk of cancer. They are almost always benign, no matter how large they get.
Fibroids and Pregnancy
The fact that approximately 20% to 50% of women suffer from the symptoms generated by fibroid tumors at some stage of their lives suggests that they are quite common growths in the reproductive system of a woman. Age is a factor. Fibroids are more common in women who are 35 years of age or older. Women under the age of 20 rarely have fibroids. These tumors of the uterus tend to shrink after menopause. Studies indicate that black women are nine times more susceptible to fibroids than white women. Furthermore, women who are overweight are more likely to have fibroids because of higher levels of estrogen. No one knows exactly what causes uterine fibroids. But the hormones that regulate your periods, particularly estrogen, are known to play a part. Fibroids increase in size slowly over the years. But when estrogen level in the body rises the rate of growth increases. The exact cause of uterine fibroids is unclear, but there is evidence that it may be a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors.
Not all fibroids are the same, and they’re categorised based on where they are located. Fibroids are usually found in or around the body of the uterus, but they sometimes occur in the cervix. Fibroids within the uterus can be divided into three categories: subserous (located in the outer wall of the uterus); intramural (found in the muscular layers of the uterine wall); and submucous (protruding into the uterine cavity). In addition, fibroids can be connected to the uterus through a stalk (pedunculated), or fibroids can be attached to nearby organs, like the bladder and bowel, or the ligaments surrounding the uterus. About 55% of fibroids are subserosal; 40% are intramural; and 5% are submucosal. Fibroids are rarely found outside the pelvic cavity.
Large intramural fibroids may alter the blood flow to the uterine lining and may also alter the shape of the uterine cavity. Subserosal fibroids usually don’t alter the shape of the uterine cavity, but when large can cause discomfort. The only type that is supposed to have a large impact on reproductive function (unless they are large or numerous) is the submucous type that pushes in to the uterine cavity. These are much less common than the other 2 types of fibroids. Because of their location inside the uterine cavity, submucous fibroids can cause fertility problems and miscarriages. Submucous fibroids can often be surgically resected to improve fertility.
Treatment Options for Fibroids of Uterus
Diagnosis of the Fibroids: Fibroids are very common. About 25 percent of women in their childbearing years will have signs of fibroids that can be detected by a pelvic examination, although not all will experience symptoms. Your medical history and a pelvic exam are necessary in diagnosing fibroids. Listed below are tests that may also be used to confirm the diagnosis:
1) Ultrasound – a scan that uses high frequency sound waves to detect fibroids in and around the uterus and cervix
2) Hysterosalpingogram – a procedure that uses x-rays and a special dye to detect fibroids on the inside of your uterus and to see if your fallopian tubes are open
3) Hysteroscopy – a procedure in which your doctor uses a narrow fiber optic telescope inserted into the uterine cavity to look for and sometimes remove fibroids
4) Laparoscopy – a procedure in which your doctor uses a narrow fiber optic telescope inserted through an incision near your navel to look for and sometimes remove fibroids
What symptoms are experienced if fibroids exist?
The severity of symptoms will depend on the number, size, and location of the fibroids. You may experience severe, painful cramps and abnormal or excessive bleeding, especially during your periods. Also, you may have difficulty with moving your bowels or urinating if you have fibroids that are putting pressure on your rectum or bladder. Hemorrhoids may also develop if you become constipated. However, if your fibroids are small, you may not have any symptoms at all. In fact, you may not know that you have fibroids until you go through infertility testing.
What treatments are available to cure fibroids?
Fibroids can be treated surgically or with medications. Fibroids can be removed during a laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, or through an open incision (myomectomy). Medications that stop or interfere with your body’s estrogen production are used to shrink fibroids and prevent them from growing larger. Once the medication is stopped, the fibroids will regrow. Medication is mainly used for treatment prior to surgery.
However, you can only use these medications for a few months – long-term use may increase your risk of bone loss. Keep in mind that treatments do not provide a cure – new fibroids can grow after treatment. Most fibroids are usually small, asymptomatic, and don’t require treatment. These benign tumors only need close gynecological observation to document changes in size or the early onset of symptoms.
Fibroids and infertility – an updated systematic review of the evidence
Fibroid Symptoms
Common symptoms associated to fibroids are back pain, abdominal pressure or discomfort, urinary frequency, rectal pressure or discomfort, and periods that can be painful, heavy and prolonged, Difficulty emptying your bladder and constipation. Rarely, a fibroid can cause acute pain when it outgrows its blood supply.
Does fibroid decrease fertility?
Uterine fibroids are common, and they are found in 5-10% of infertile women. When all other causes of infertility are excluded fibroids may account for only 2 to 3% of infertility cases. Certain types of fibroids are known to decrease fertility. They include fibroids that are inside the uterine cavity and very large fibroids (>6 cm in diameter) that are located within the wall of the uterus. Because most women with fibroids will not be infertile, they and their partners should have a thorough evaluation to detect other problems that can decrease fertility. A fertility specialist can help determine if fibroids might be hampering their ability to conceive.
There are several explanations for why uterine fibroids may reduce fertility.
1) Changes in the position of the cervix due to fibroids located above it may affect the number of sperm that can travel through the cervix.
2) Changes in the shape of the uterus can interfere with sperm movement.
3) Blockage of the fallopian tubes by the fibroids.
4) Affecting the blood flow to the uterine cavity where the embryo would implant.
5) Changes in the uterine muscle that prevents movement of the sperm or the embryo.
If you have a fibroid problem, there are several treatments to consider. Fibroids can be surgically removed, the blood supply to fibroids can be cut off, the entire uterus can be removed, or medicine can temporarily shrink fibroids. Your choice will depend on whether you have severe symptoms and whether you want to preserve your fertility. If you have uterine fibroids but you have few or no symptoms, you don’t need treatment. Instead, your doctor will recommend watchful waiting. This means that you will have regular pelvic exams to check on fibroid growth and symptoms. Talk with your doctor about how often you will need a checkup. If you are nearing menopause, watchful waiting may be an option for you, depending on how tolerable your symptoms are. After menopause, your estrogen and progesterone levels will drop, which causes most fibroids to shrink and symptoms to subside.
Fibroids and Pregnancy
It is an impression that fibroids contribute to infertility and there are instances that shows that previously infertile women conceived after their fibroids had been removed. However there are no strong evidence of causation, so whether fibroids do cause infertility, and therefore whether they should be removed, is still uncertain.
You should call your doctor if you have heavy bleeding, increased cramping, or bleeding between periods or if you feel fullness or heaviness in your lower belly area. Blossom Fertility and IVF Centre in Surat is committed to offer to the patients clinical excellence, cost-effective treatment options, personalized compassionate care, and exceptional success rate. The clinic is equipped with all types of latest Art equipments including laparoscope, ultrasound and Art laboratory that help in diagnosing fibroids of any type present in the uterus. Our expertise in infertility treatment and cutting edge IVF technology has helped majority of our patients achieve pregnancy. At Blossom Fertility Centre treatment such as ivf, artificial insemination, ovulation induction, fibroid tumor removal, myomectomy, tubal reversal is explained in detail.
You can contact the fertility specialist of Blossom Fertility and I Centre in Surat at http://www.blossomivfindia.com/ or at http://www.blossomivfindia.com/fertility-treatments
Best Fertility Treatments In Surat
Diagnosing Blocked Fallopian Tubes – Procedures to Open Blocked Fallopian Tubes – Infertility and Damaged Fallopian Tubes – Diagnose tubal factor disease – Infertility Treatments for Damaged Fallopian Tubes – Know Your Fallopian Tubes – Fallopian Tube Procedures for Infertility – Treatment options for Blocked Fallopian Tubes – Conceive with Fallopian tube Problem – Fallopian Tube Diagnostic Tests – Getting pregnant with blocked fallopian tube.
Tubal Disease is a disorder in which the fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged. One of the many causes of infertility is tubal disease, in which your fallopian tubes become blocked or damaged. About 15 percent of women who haven’t been able to get pregnant have damaged or blocked fallopian tubes. These are the tubes that connect your ovaries to your womb. Eggs are released from the ovaries and travel down the fallopian tubes towards the womb. If your tubes are damaged or blocked, eggs won’t be able to reach the womb. Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes restrict the egg and subsequent embryo from making it from the ovary into the uterus, thereby causing infertility.
While there are many causes of infertility, a blockage of the fallopian tubes is often the reason why many women are unable to conceive. It includes cases of completely blocked fallopian tubes and also cases with either 1 blocked tube or no blockage but tubal scarring or other damage. If the womb or the fallopian tubes are damaged, or stop working, it may be difficult to conceive naturally.
Fallopian Tubal factor infertility is often caused by
Endometriosis
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Uterine Fibroids
Ectopic pregnancy
Tubal Ligation Removal
Complications from lower abdominal surgery such as Cesarean section
Genital Tuberculosis
Even if you ovulate regularly, having blocked tubes means your egg can’t get to your uterus, and your partner’s sperm can’t get to your egg.
Tubal Disease and Infertility
If the fallopian tubes have adhesions or scar tissue around them, it can block an egg and subsequent embryo from reaching the uterus, causing infertility. If the tubes are partially blocked by adhesions, sperm may meet the egg in the fallopian tube instead of in the uterus, and an ectopic pregnancy may occur.
As such there are no symptoms for blocked fallopian tubes. Depending on the cause painful periods, deep pain during sex and general pain in your pelvis may be noticed by the women.
Diagnosis of Tubal Disease
Medical history and a pelvic examination are necessary in diagnosing tubal disease. However, other tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis. The following test helps in ascertaining the damaged tubes.
Sonohysterogram – a procedure that uses ultrasound to detect masses in your uterus that may be blocking your fallopian tubes
Hysterosalpingogram – a procedure that uses x-rays and a special dye injected into your fallopian tubes, to see if they are open or blocked
Laparoscopy – an outpatient surgical procedure in which your doctor uses a narrow fiberoptic telescope inserted through an incision near your navel to look for and sometimes remove scar tissue or endometrial tissue blocking the fallopian tubes
Treatment options for tubal factor infertility
The treatment for tubal factor infertility is usually either tubal surgery to repair some of the damage or in vitro fertilization (IVF). There may be a number of options for treating your tubal disease. Laparoscopic surgical removal of the scar tissue may be appropriate for some cases. However, in many cases, if the fallopian tubes are severely damaged, it is often safer and more successful to bypass the fallopian tubes and use in vitro fertilization (IVF) to achieve pregnancy.
Women with a prior fallopian tubal ligation (cut or tied tubes for sterilization) have the option of either IVF or a tubal anastomosis (TA, reconnecting the fallopian tubes). This technique reconnects the blocked ends of the fallopian tubes and involves a major surgical procedure and a 4-6 week recovery time. The success rate depends on the type of ligation and how much fallopian tube is present to reconnect. For example, if there are less than 5 centimeters (roughly 2 inches) of fallopian tube, then the success rates are extremely low.
There are many different ways to perform a tubal ligation, including burning, tying, clips, and removal of part of the fallopian tube. In cases where burning, tying or removal was used, there is often not enough tube for reconnection and IVF is the only option. The operative notes from a previous tubal ligation can be important to determine if tubal anastomosis is an option. Success rates are often low and women run the risk of an ectopic pregnancy after this type of fallopian tube surgery. Due to these factors, most couples choose IVF. For those few women with clips on their fallopian tubes, surgery becomes a more viable option. The amount of fallopian tube that remains after surgery is critical to the function of the tube. If a large part of the tube must be removed to eliminate blockage, the likelihood of pregnancy after surgery is reduced. The success of a sterilization reversal is influenced by the tubal ligation method used, by how recently the tubal ligation was done, and by the woman’s age-related fertility.
Other conditions that affect the success of surgery include not only whether the woman has scar tissue (adhesions) in her pelvis and whether she has other diseases in the pelvic area but also the surgeon’s level of skill and experience. The decision to have one of these therapies for tubal infertility should be based on several factors which your reproductive endocrinologist (fertility specialist) should discuss with you. The most significant issues are success rates, the degree of tubal damage, the age of the female, and whether other infertility factors (male or female) are present.
Blossom Fertility and IVF Centre in Surat offers a one-stop diagnostic and IVF treatment service for infertile couples. The team of fertility specialist is always ready to help patients deal with any kind of infertility issues be it due to male or female infertility, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, repeated miscarriages, unexplained infertility, PCOS or any other issue. Infertility doctors at Blossom have a reputation for success, both in quality of care and in pregnancy and live birth rates. We at Blossom are committed to offer to the patients clinical excellence, cost-effective treatment options, personalized compassionate care, and exceptional success rate. We provide assistance and guidance in determining causes, diagnosis, and treatment about Tubal Disease. If you’re ovulating normally, our team of fertility specialist may also consider assisted reproduction techniques that by pass the fallopian tubes entirely. These can include intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), artificial insemination directly into the uterus (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Consult infertility expert at Blossom Fertility centre in Surat for complete medical advice for IVF infertility issues related to Fallopian Tube – Causes, Treatments and everything you need to know for conceiving & pregnancy at http://www.blossomivfindia.com
Assisted Hatching at Blossom Fertility Center, Surat – Assisted Hatching for IVF Surat – Laser Assisted Embryo Hatching (AH) – ICSI, Blastocyst Transfer, Assisted Hatching, Embryo Cryopreservation – Assisted Hatching in Assisted Reproductive Technology – Procedure of Assisted Hatching in IVF – IVF Success Rates and Assisted Hatching – In vitro success and assisted hatching – IVF success rate increased by Assisted Hatching of embryos – Assisted Hatching in Assisted Reproduction – IVF and Assisted Hatching in Surat – Assisted Conception Centre – Assisted Hatching
One of the most frustrating aspects of assisted reproductive technology for patients and fertility professionals alike is having to deal with failure in fertility treatment. This is especially true in couples who have attempted assisted reproductive procedures many times, and also in those whose time is running out because of their age. Now, a recently developed technique, assisted hatching, is offering new hope to the couples who fall into these categories.
Assisted hatching is a laboratory technique used with IVF. It involves the use of laser to thin the outer shell (zone pellucida) of the fertilized egg, before the embryo is transferred into the uterus. Assisted hatching is used to enhance the embryos ability to hatch, and also implant, after transfer. The procedure is based on the fact that an alteration in zona pellucida (outer covering of egg) either by drilling a hole through it or by thinning it, will promote hatching or implantation of embryos that are otherwise unable to escape intact from the zona pellucida.
After a fertilized egg is returned to the uterus, several things must happen:
- It must continue to divide and grow (it is now called an embryo).
- The embryo must break out of the zona pellucida (usually called the zona) which is a hard protein shell that surrounds it.
- The embryo must then burrow into the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium) and continue to grow there.
It has been suggested that making a hole in or thinning this outer layer may help embryos to ‘hatch’, increasing the chances of the woman becoming pregnant in some cases. Assisted hatching is indicated for infertile couples in following cases.
- when the zona pellucida is noted to be excessively thick when measured on a day 3 embryo by the embryologist
- with poor embryo quality
- In women with an elevated Day 3 FSH
- when a Flare stimulation protocol has been used
- when the female partner age is 38 or older at the time of stimulation, or
- with previous IVF implantation failure of embryos to implant though results were otherwise good
- Frozen embryo replacements.
- Laser Assisted Embryo Hatching
How does the procedure of Assisted Hatching work?
Assisted hatching is carried out in the laboratory by experienced embryologists. The assisted hatching procedure, like ICSI, is carried out by a technique known as micromanipulation. In small dishes the embryos, which now contain an average of six to eight cells, are stabilized by a holding pipette, while on the opposite side a small pipette containing acidified Tyrode’s solution creates a small defect in the zona. Just before the embryos are replaced, whether they are fresh or frozen/thawed, a small hole is made in the zona, or by thinning it using a micromanipulation technique. The process is repeated for each embryo. The main methods currently in use for assisted hatching are: chemical, mechanical and laser. The process will damage about 1% of embryos.
Most IVF clinics will not perform assisted hatching if there is one embryo available because of possible damage to this embryo would result in no embryo transfer. The assisted hatched embryos are then transferred into the uterine cavity as usual. Some clinics will give the woman a course of antibiotics to prevent infection. (Assisted hatching deprives the embryo of its intact protective coat, which shields it from exposure to any harmful factors in the uterus).
Assisted Hatching using laser technology is probably the best technique. Laser assisted hatching is a gentle and safe way to weaken a part of zona pellucida. Several studies have shown that using a laser is superior to chemical and manual hatching. Minimal handling of the embryo and delivering fast and exact control over the drilling of the hole are the advantages of laser assisted hatching.
Advantages of using Assisted Hatching
This relatively small variation in the IVF procedure has yielded dramatic results in older patients and those with previously failed cycles.
1) It provides “mechanical advantage” to the embryos in breaking the zona for implantation.
2) It also ensures early contact of embryos with endometrium. This expedites enzymetic reaction between endometrium and embryos called “Embryo endometrium cross talk”.
3) Mechanical advantages and chemical advantage ensure better implantation rate and better pregnancy rate.
4) It helps women with previous failed IVF cycle.
Disadvantages
The addition of assisted hatching to the standard IVF protocol does add extra laboratory manipulation and therefore added costs. There is a small risk of damage to the embryo during the micromanipulation process or at the time of transfer, and there is a slight increase in identical twinning. There is a greater chance of fetal complications and abnormalities in some identical twins. A rare complication of identical twinning is conjoined or “Siamese” twins. No higher rate of identical twins is observed than with routine IVF. This may relate to whether a large enough opening is made in the zona to prevent pinching of the embryo during the hatching process.
Assisted hatching of IVF embryos, is an Assisted Reproductive Technology procedure which is performed in IVF laboratory. It increases IVF success rates. Consult infertility expert at Blossom Fertility centre in Surat for complete medical advice for infertile couples.
At the Blossom Fertility and IVF Centre Surat, Laser Assisted Hatching technique is used to perform the assisted hatching procedure.Doctors and embryologist are well conversant with the latest technology in the field of ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology). You can contact the top IVF doctors, Fertility specialist Surat and embryologist in surat at Blossomivfindia.com or at IVFfertility-treatments
Fertility Centre IVF FAQ:
What is infertility?
Infertility is usually defined as an inability to get pregnant after one year of trying. Older women, however, aged over 35, should probably seek advice sooner. The term is also sometimes used to describe women who do get pregnant, but repeatedly miscarry, as there may be common factors.
Is infertility a common problem?
Yes, about 1 in 6 of couples experiences some difficulty in achieving a pregnancy.
Is infertility just a woman’s problem?
No, both men and women can have medical problems that cause difficulty in conceiving; in about a third of couples, both partners have problems
What causes infertility in women?
Most cases of female infertility are caused by problems with ovulation (the monthly release of an egg). Without ovulation, there are no eggs to be fertilized. Some signs that a woman is not ovulating may include irregular or absent menstrual periods.
What are the common causes of fertility problems in women?
Less common causes of fertility problems in women include:
- Blocked fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or surgery
- Physical problems with the uterus
- Uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous clumps of tissue and muscle on the walls of the uterus
- PCOS
What is PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
Ovulation problems are often caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a hormone imbalance problem which can interfere with normal ovulation. PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility.
What causes infertility in men?
Some men have reduced numbers of sperm, reduced quality, or both. In some cases, there may be complete absence of sperm. These problems are sometimes related to more general medical problems, such as diabetes, or there may be genetic factors.
How do doctors treat infertility?
Infertility can be treated with medicine, surgery, artificial insemination, or assisted reproductive technology (ART), such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Many times these treatments are combined.
The treatment will depend on the results of a variety of tests that can be performed to determine the cause of the problem. In many cases, all that will be needed is advice – with regard to timing, for example; sometimes, lack of ovulation can be treated with simple medication. More complicated problems, such as blocked fallopian tubes, or severe male infertility, may require more sophisticated intervention.
How successful is fertility treatment?
This depends on the cause of infertility and each couple´s circumstances. The woman´s age, for example, is a very important factor.
The success of treatment needs to be seen within the context of normal fertility – under the age of 30, about 85% of women will get pregnant within a year of trying. Over the age of 40, the chance each month is about 5%.
How does natural conception occur?
Conception occurs when the male’s sperm meet the woman’s egg and successfully penetrates it. This typically takes place in one of the woman’s fallopian tube and the fertilized egg then travels to the uterus and implants in the uterine lining. For pregnancy to take place, fertilization of the egg must be followed by a successful impanation. Only one egg is released for fertilization in each menstrual cycle. If this egg is not fertilized, conception will not be possible again until the next cycle.
How is infertility diagnosed?
A complete medical history and a physical exam are the first step in diagnosing with fertility problem. Both partners need to be evaluated. The couple may also need blood tests, semen analysis and ultrasound exams or exploratory surgery for the woman.
How is infertility in a woman treated?
Once the cause for infertility is determined, treatment can be planned. Sometimes, a simple instruction or little medication will solve the problem. Instructions like when having the sex will produce a pregnancy is given. In many cases medications are indicated. In some cases surgery is required.
How is infertility in a man treated?
Problems in the male reproductive organs can often be resolved with medicine and if required with surgery.
What increases a man’s risks of infertility?
Sperm quality and quantity can be affected by overall health and life style. Some things that may reduce sperm number and / or quality include alcohol, drugs, stress, environmental toxins, smoking, health problems, certain medicines, radio or chemotherapy and age.
What things increase a woman’s risk of infertility?
Things that affect woman’s fertility include age, stress, poor diet, obesity, underweight, smoking, STD, hormonal problems and health problems.
My husband and I have an active sex life, we are both healthy, and my periods are regular. However, we have still not conceived! Please help!
You need to remember that it’s not possible to determine the reason for your infertility until you undergo tests to find out if your husband’s sperm count is normal; if your fallopian tubes and uterus are normal; and if you are producing eggs. Only after undergoing these tests will your doctor is able to tell you why you are not conceiving. While testing does cause considerable anxiety, it’s far better to intelligently identify the problem so that we can look for the best solution.
How can I determine my “fertile” period?
A. Your fertile period is the time during which having sex could lead to a pregnancy. This is the 4-6 days prior to ovulation (release of a mature egg from the ovary). Women normally ovulate 14 days prior to the date of the next menstrual period.
My husband’s blood group is B positive and I am A negative. Could this blood group “incompatibility” be a reason for our infertility?
There is no relation between blood groups and fertility.
Do painful periods cause infertility?
Painful periods do not affect fertility. In fact, for most patients, regular painful periods usually signal ovulatory cycles.
Is Infertility hereditary? My sister conceived only after 6 years of marriage. Does this mean I will also have difficulty conceiving?
If your mother, grandmother or sister has had difficulty becoming pregnant, this does not necessarily mean you will have the same problem! Most infertility problems are not hereditary, and you need a complete evaluation.
My husband says we should be having intercourse every day to achieve pregnancy. Is this true?
Sperm remain alive and active in woman’s cervical mucus for 48-72 hours following sexual intercourse; therefore, it isn’t necessary to plan your lovemaking on a rigid schedule.
My semen analysis report shows I have no sperm in the semen (azoospermia ). Is this because I used to masturbate excessively as a boy?
Masturbation is a normal activity which most boys and men indulge in. It does not affect the sperm count. You cannot “run” out of sperms, because these are constantly being produced in the testes.
Know more about Infertility Treatments :
Infertility – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment of Infertility -Possibilities for the Cause of Infertility – Causes of Infertility
Infertility means not being able to get pregnant after one year of trying. Or, six months, if a woman is 35 or older. Women who can get pregnant but are unable to stay pregnant may also be infertile. For some couples, infertility problems can be present from birth (congenital) or something can go wrong along the way that results in infertility. The reason of infertility can be because of either partner. About one-third of infertility cases are caused by women’s problems and one third of fertility problems are due to the man. The other cases are caused by a mixture of male and female problems or by unknown problems.
If a couple decides to go for consultation of medical experts then first thing is to fix up an appointment with infertility specialist. Many infertility problems can be pinpointed by the infertility specialist and the vast majority cases can be treated.
Many cases of apparent infertility are treatable. Infertility may have a single cause in one of the partners, or it could be the result of a combination of factors. The following article outlines the most common causes attributed to the term infertility.
1: Womb and fallopian tubes
The fallopian tubes are the tubes along which an egg travels from the ovary to the womb. The egg is fertilised as it travels down the fallopian tubes. When it reaches the womb, it is implanted into the womb’s lining where it continues to grow. If the womb or the fallopian tubes are damaged, or stop working, it may be difficult to conceive naturally. This can occur following a number of factors which include pelvic inflammatory disease, sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, and previous sterilisation surgery. In rare cases, women may be born with tubal abnormalities, usually associated with uterus irregularities.
Tubal disease affects approximately 25% of infertile couples and varies widely, ranging from mild adhesions to complete tubal blockage. Treatment for tubal disease is most commonly surgery and, owing to the advances in microsurgery and lasers, success rates are as high as 30% overall, with certain procedures having success rates up to 65%.
2: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. The name of the condition comes from the appearance of the ovaries in most, but not all, women with the disorder — enlarged and containing numerous small cysts located along the outer edge of each ovary (polycystic appearance). Polycystic ovary syndrome is a problem in which a woman’s hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS may also cause unwanted changes in the way you look. If it is not treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. Polycystic ovary syndrome (or PCOS) is common, affecting as many as 1 out of 15 women. Often the symptoms begin in the teen years. Treatment can help control the symptoms and prevent long-term problems.
The exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is unknown. Early diagnosis and treatment may reduce the risk of long-term complications, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Symptoms related to elevated androgen levels include acne, excess hair growth on the body (hirsutism), and male-pattern hair loss. Other signs and symptoms of PCOS include obesity and weight gain, elevated insulin levels and insulin resistance, oily skin, dandruff, infertility, skin discolorations, high cholesterol levels, elevated blood pressure, and multiple, small cysts in the ovaries. Any of the above symptoms and signs may be absent in PCOS, with the exception of irregular or no menstrual periods. All women with PCOS will have irregular or no menstrual periods. Women who have PCOS do not regularly ovulate; that is, they do not release an egg every month. This is why they do not have regular periods and typically have difficulty conceiving.
What is Infertility treatment: In vitro fertilization (IVF)
3: Varicocele Repair for Infertility
Varicoceles are enlarged varicose veins that occur in the scrotum. They are fairly common, affecting 15% of men overall and 40% of men with known infertility. Varicoceles occur most often in the left testicle. Varicocele repair is performed to improve male fertility. It can usually be done surgically on an outpatient basis using local or general anesthetic. A small incision is made in the abdomen close to where the testicles originally descended through the abdominal wall. The veins that produce the varicocele are identified and cut to eliminate blood flow to the varicocele. Alternatively, a nonsurgical procedure called percutaneous embolization can be done to repair a varicocele. A small catheter is inserted through a large vein in the groin or neck and advanced to the varicocele, which is then blocked off by a balloon, coil, or medicine.
4: Abnormal Sperm Count, Shape, Motility
More than 90% of male infertility cases are due to low sperm counts, poor sperm quality, or both. In 30 – 40% of cases of sperm abnormalities, the cause is unknown. It may be the end result of one or more factors that include chronic illness, malnutrition, genetic defects, structural abnormalities and environmental factors. Partial obstruction anywhere in the long passages through which sperm pass can reduce sperm counts. In one study, obstruction was believed to be a contributing factor in over 60% of low sperm count cases.
Sperm size and shape is referred to as sperm morphology, and it’s one of three factors analyzed in a semen analysis. The other two are sperm motility, or movement, and sperm count. Sperm have to be willing to get a move on. That last distance to the egg can only be crossed with some serious sperms. More than 40 % of a man’s sperm have to be active swimmers for a good chance at fertility.
5: Endometriosis
Approximately 10% of infertile couples are affected by endometriosis. In fact, 30-40% of patients with endometriosis are infertile. This is two to three times the rate of infertility in the general population. For women with endometriosis, the monthly fecundity (chance of getting pregnant) diminishes by 12 to 36%. Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of cells (endometrial cells) similar to those that form the inside or lining the tissue of the uterus, but in a location outside of the uterus. Growth occurs not only in the uterus but also elsewhere in the abdomen, such as in the fallopian tubes, ovaries and the pelvic peritoneum. A positive diagnosis can only be made by diagnostic laparoscopy, a test that allows the physician to view the uterus, fallopian tubes, and pelvic cavity directly. The symptoms often associated with endometriosis include heavy, painful and long menstrual periods, urinary urgency, rectal bleeding and premenstrual spotting. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms at all, owing to the fact that there is no correlation between the extent of the disease and the severity of the symptoms. The long term cumulative pregnancy rates are normal in patients with minimal endometriosis and normal anatomy. Current studies demonstrate that pregnancy rates are not improved by treating minimal endometriosis.
Apart from these infertility causes there are many factors that contribute to the infertility. These includes unexplained infertility, increased age in men and women, lifestyle habits like alcohol, smoking, caffeine, overweight or underweight, sexually transmitted diseases, occupational or environmental factors and stress.
If you are experiencing infertility problems either due to PCOS, endometriosis, varicocele, abnormal sperm count, shape or motility, blocked fallopian tubes or increasing age or secondary infertility, it is extremely important for you to take a call and visit your infertility expert at the earliest.
Contact today Blossom Fertility and IVF Centre, for consultation with our highly-skilled fertility specialist to couples interested in learning more about their options for having a baby using assisted reproductive technology. Please call on +91 261 2470333 to schedule a appointment or simply email us at info@blossomivfindia.com
