subject: Pregnancy and Infertility Issues [print this page] Pregnancy and Infertility Issues
Being unable to carry a pregnancy to full-term and the inability to conceive are the most common fertility issues experienced by women. What causes infertility? There could be a single cause or a combination of contributing factors. Some of which are reversible.
For example, smokers are 60% more likely to be infertile than non-smokers. Smoking increases the risk of miscarriage and low birth-weight. It decreases the success rate of in-vitro fertilization. Quitting smoking should reverse the negative effects of tobacco and nicotine.
Toxins in the environment or the work place could cause a woman to be infertile. If she is able to avoid the toxins, she may be able to conceive and carry to term.
Although it is a less common cause, genetic defects can cause men or women to be infertile. Genetic testing should reveal the disarrangement of the chromosomes. Counseling is recommended for couples who carry the genetic traits. If the couple did become pregnant, the child could suffer from Down syndrome.
Health problems such as diabetes can make it difficult for a woman to conceive or to carry a pregnancy to term. Thyroid disorders, adrenal diseases and pituitary dysfunctions are examples of other health problems that cause fertility issues in women and men.
In women, a hormonal imbalance could be what causes infertility. For example, follicle stimulating hormone or FSH is needed for the ovaries to mature and release eggs. A lack of the hormone would result in a lack of ovulation. Synthetic injections of FSH can be used to stimulate ovulation and restore fertility.
The cause could be physical damage or blockage of the fallopian tubes, which are responsible for carrying the egg to the uterus. It is sometimes possible to remove the blockage, without damaging the tube. Surgical success rates are increasing in that area.
A previous tubal pregnancy sometimes causes irreparable damage to a tube. If only one tube is damaged, it may be more difficult to conceive, but it is not impossible. When damage to the fallopian tubes is what causes infertility, harvesting the eggs from the ovaries combined with in-vitro fertilization can be used to help a woman become pregnant.
Age is sometimes what causes infertility. Although ovulation continues to occur until a woman passes through menopause, her chances of conceiving are sharply reduced after she passes the age of 35.
Doctors who specialize in fertility issues continue to develop new treatments to make it possible for a woman to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. Consult your OB-GYN for more information.
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