Female infertility\n refers to the inability to conceive after unprotected sexual intercourse for 12 months for women aged below 35 and 6 months for women aged above 35. Fertility is affected by a variety of factors, including hormones, nutritional status, disease, and malformations of the uterus. Infertility affects women from around the world, and the social stigmas affecting infertile women may vary from region to region.\nCauses or factors of\n female infertility \ncan basically be classified into whether they are acquired or genetic disorders. Female infertility is usually more or less a combination of nature and nurture. Also, the presence of any single risk factor of female infertility does not necessarily cause infertility, and even if a woman is definitely infertile, the infertility cannot definitely be blamed on any single risk factor.\nWhat are the common causes of female infertility?\nGetting pregnant and carrying a pregnancy to term are actually very complicated processes. Many things can go wrong during these processes to lead to infertility. For this reason, some of the common causes of infertility in females are given below. A woman who is having difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term should consult a fertility specialist.\nFailure to Ovulate:\nThe most common overall cause of female infertility is the failure to ovulate, which occurs in 40% of women with infertility issues. Not ovulating can result from several causes, such as:\nOvarian or gynecological conditions, such as primary \novarian insufficiency \n(POI) or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). POI is a condition in which a woman's ovaries stop producing hormones and eggs at a young age. Women with POI ovulate irregularly, if at all, and may have abnormal levels of ovarian and pituitary hormones due to problems with their ovaries.\nAging - a low number of eggs in a woman's ovaries due to normal aging.\nEndocrine disorders, such as thyroid problems, which affect the hormones produced by the body.\nLifestyle and environmental factors. Smoking can significantly affect female fertility in several ways, such as disturbing hormonal balance, decreasing ovarian reserve, damaging the eggs, causing miscarriages, etc. \nProblems in the menstrual cycle\nProblems with the menstrual cycle, the process that prepares the female body for pregnancy, can lead to infertility. The menstrual cycle includes several phases, and problems at any one of the stages can lead to difficulty getting pregnant or to infertility.\nProblems of the Reproductive System\nIf the fallopian tubes are blocked,\n eggs are not able to move from the ovaries to the uterus, and sperm are not able to reach the egg for fertilization.\nEndometriosis\n occurs when tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus is found in other places, such as blocking the fallopian tubes.\nUterine fibroids\n are growths that appear within and around the wall of the uterus. Although most women with fibroids do not have problems getting pregnant, some women with fibroids may not be able to get pregnant naturally. \nPolyps\n are noncancerous growths on the inside surface of the uterus. Polyps can interfere with the function of the uterus and make it difficult for a woman to remain pregnant after conception. \nScarring in the uterus\n from previous injuries, infections, or surgery. Scarring may increase the risk of miscarriage and may interfere with implantation, thus leading to infertility.\nAn unusually shaped uterus\n can affect implantation and the ability to carry a pregnancy to term.\nInfections\nInfections can also cause infertility in men and women. Chronic infections in the cervix and surgical treatment of cervical lesions associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can also be a problem for women to get pregnant. \nFailure of the Egg to mature properly\nEggs may not mature properly for a variety of reasons, ranging from conditions such as PCOS to obesity to a lack of specific proteins needed for the egg to mature.\nPolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)\nPCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility. It is a condition in which a woman's ovaries and, in some cases, adrenal glands produce more androgens (a type of hormone) than normal. High levels of these hormones interfere with the development of ovarian follicles and the release of eggs during ovulation. As a result, fluid-filled sacs, or cysts, can develop within the ovaries.\nAuto-immune disorders\nAutoimmune disorders cause the body's immune system to attack normal body tissues that it would normally ignore. \nCommon Signs of Female Infertility\nThe following are signs or symptoms that a woman should not ignore.\nMenstrual cycles -\n irregular periods\n are the most common symptom of not being able to conceive naturally.\nSuffering from very painful periods\nHeavy bleeding or very light bleeding during periods\nNot having periods at all\nPainful intercourse\nExcessive facial hair, acne, or hair loss that happens due to a hormonal imbalance\nNot able to conceive after unprotected intercourse for 12 months for women below the age of 35 and 6 months for women above 35.\nRecurring miscarriages\nWhen to see a doctor\nIf a woman notices any of the above signs and is concerned about her fertility, she must consult a doctor and take the necessary treatment. There are various tests available to find the root cause of the problem. Diagnostic tests like ultrasound scans, hormonal evaluations, and hysterosalpingograms will help the doctor to get to the root cause of infertility. Various treatment options are available, such as lifestyle changes, medications, and assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), etc. \nA proper understanding of infertility that involves recognising the causes and signs of it, which can affect the ability to conceive, is very important. It is essential to consult a specialist at the right time to avoid problems at a later date. Accurate diagnosis and treatment can help overcome infertility and achieve parenthood. \nContact GarbhaGudi for fertility specialist consultation at 9108 9108 32.\n

The most common early sign of infertility is \nirregular menstrual cycles\n or the total absence of a period, which often indicates ovulation issues. Other red flags include:\nHormonal changes: Sudden acne, thinning hair, or unusual facial hair growth.\nPain: Significantly painful periods or pain during intercourse.\nAge-related difficulty: Being unable to conceive after 6–12 months of unprotected sex (depending on age).\n

Yes.\n While Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis are leading causes of infertility, they do not mean pregnancy is impossible.\nPCOS is often managed with medications to induce ovulation or lifestyle changes to balance hormones.\nEndometriosis may require laparoscopic surgery to remove obstructive tissue or the use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) like IVF.\n

The general medical recommendation follows these age guidelines:\nUnder age 35: Consult a specialist after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse.\nAge 35 to 40: See a doctor after six months of trying.\nOver age 40: It is often recommended to seek a consultation \nimmediately\n due to the natural decline in egg reserve and quality.\n

Some causes of infertility show no outward symptoms until a woman tries to conceive. These include:\nBlocked Fallopian Tubes: Often caused by past pelvic infections or scarring, preventing the egg and sperm from meeting.\nUterine Polyps or Fibroids: These can interfere with the implantation of an embryo, even if fertilization occurs.\nPrimary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)\n:\n Where ovaries lose function earlier than expected, sometimes without the woman realizing her egg count is low.\n

Understand female infertility, its causes, symptoms, and treatment options like IVF & IUI. Consult fertility experts at GarbhaGudi for guidance.

What Is Female Infertility? Causes, Signs & When to See a Doctor