The female infertility factors we are discussing in this part are the more general and miscellaneous ones.
Cancer Treatment:
Cancer of any part of the female reproductive organs; the uterus, ovaries and cervix can result in permanent female infertility.
Medications and treatments for cancer can also damage your uterus and ovaries. The chemotherapy and radiation you are subjected to can destroy the supply of eggs in your ovaries and result in Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) or premature menopause. You may stop menstruating and this condition may last past your cancer treatments.
If you're facing the prospect of chemotherapy, do discuss future fertility plans and options with your Oncologist. If you want to bear your own baby in the future, you may cider the option of egg-harvesting, fertilizing them with your spouse's sperm and freezing them for implantation after your health is restored.
Bear in mind however, that this is only feasible if your chemotherapy can be delayed. Otherwise, you may have to consider using donor eggs or embryos when you want to carry a baby in the future.
Diethylstilbestrol (DES):
This drug was commonly used in the 1950s to prevent miscarriages. It was later found that DES actually caused a number of serious health problems. One unfortunate discovery was that it caused infertility in the children (both male and female) of mothers who were given the drug.
Immunological Infertility:
This is one of the female infertility factors that is caused by a defect in the woman's immune system, where it could not make any distinction between sperms and other bacteria and viruses. When sperm enter the body, they are treated as bacteria and sometimes destroyed while still in the vagina.
Other Chronic Illnesses:
Chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes or depression, and the medications you're taking for these illnesses can inhibit your fertility.
Effects of Contraceptive Pills:
Contraceptive pills can lead to future female infertility problems. This is because the contraceptive effects of birth control pills can alter your hormonal functions long after you have stopped using them. These pills can also lead to nutrient deficiencies that result in menstrual and ovulatory problems. This form of contraception is not suitable for women who are having irregular periods or who are known to have some degrees of hormonal imbalances.
Age:
You are most fertile between early to mid 20s. Your fertility starts to decline from early 30s. Trying to conceive after 40, though possible, is very difficult.
One of female infertility factors like advancing age is caused by the decrease in the quality of eggs produced in later years. Eggs of older women are likely to develop chromosomal abnormalities such as Down's syndrome and pregnancies sometimes resulting in miscarriages.
An older woman may also have low egg count and be facing the onset of menopause. To ascertain this, you can do a home FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) test to check if your body is producing an unnaturally high level of FSH to stimulate your ovaries into producing a mature egg and increased estrogen. You should let your doctor know the results of your home tests.
Currently, science has not found a way to reverse the effects of aging on eggs. If you're above 40 and if your eggs are no longer viable, you may have to use donor eggs or embryos.
Physical and Psychological Stress:
Physical and psychological stress and extreme lifestyle changes can seriously affected ovulation resulting in female infertility. Psychological factors can stop ovulation or cause spasms in the fallopian tubes which inhibit the passage of the egg to the uterus.
Exposure to Environmental Toxins:
Exposure to very high levels of environmental toxins or drugs can harm your body affecting its ability to conceive.
Smoking and Liquor:
Too much smoking and liquor intake can lead to female infertility. This is a well-known truth and one of the leading female infertility factors.
Excessive and Intensive Exercise:
Excessive and intensive exercise can prevent a woman's ovulation.
Douching:
Does douching have anything to do with female infertility? Probably this is not considered part of the female infertility factors. But still it can be something that can easily prevent you from getting pregnant. Douching is actually unneccesary to keep your vagina clean. Nevertheless, many women still douche themselves. If you are one of them, please bear in mind that douching right before intercourse may make your vagina too acidic or too alkaline and not conducive to your spouse's sperms. Douching immediately after sex may run the risk of washing out his sperms. As a matter of fact, it is good to just lie in bed for a while after copulation to allow the sperms amble time to swim up into your uterus. There is no need to hurry for a bath.
Learn about the various factors and causes of female infertility:
Menstrual Cycle Disorder
Hormonal Imbalance
Ovary Problems
Problems with the Fallopian Tubes
Issues with the Uterus
The Cervix and Cervical Mucus
Problems with Sex
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