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Infertility in Women

Authors:
  • Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
Publication Type:

Condition

Infertility in Women

(Female Infertility)

Animation Movie AvailableRelated Media: Diagnostic Pelvic Laparoscopy

Definition

Infertility is not being able to become pregnant after a year of regular, unprotected sex.

Female Reproductive Organs.

Copyright © 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Causes

Pregnancy happens when:

  • An egg is released from the ovaries
  • The egg travels to the fallopian tubes where the sperm can fertilize it
  • The egg is fertilized and it moves down the fallopian tubes to the uterus
  • It implants itself into the wall of the uterus and starts to grow

Sometimes, the cause of infertility in women is not known. In others, it may be due to:

Risk Factors

Infertility is more common in women who are at risk for any of the causes listed above. Other things that may raise the risk are:

Symptoms

The main problem is not becoming pregnant after a year of regular, unprotected sex.

Diagnosis

Both partners will both need to be seen by a doctor. The doctor will ask about health history and pregnancy attempts. A physical exam will be done. The doctor may check to see if ovulation is happening. This can be done with:

  • Blood and urine tests to check hormone levels
  • A basal body temperature reading

Pictures may be needed of the uterus and fallopian tubes. This can be done with:

Surgery may be needed to view the area. This can be done with laparoscopy .

Treatment

Any underlying causes will need to be treated. The goal of treatment is to improve the chances of pregnancy. Some choices are:

  • Lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight , not drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco , and lowering stress
  • Medicines to boost ovulation
  • Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as:
    • Artificial insemination—semen is collected in a lab and placed into the cervix or uterus
    • In vitro fertilization (IVF) —the egg and sperm are joined in a lab, allowed to fertilize, and then placed in the uterus

Women who are not helped by these methods may need surgery. It may be done to open blocked tubes, repair problems with organs, or to remove:

Prevention

There are no known guidelines to lower the risk of infertility in women. People with health issues like cancer should talk to their doctors about future fertility choices.

RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

References

  • Evaluating infertility. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at: https://www.acog.org/store/products/patient-education/pamphlets/gynecologic-problems/evaluating-infertility.
  • Infertility in women. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/infertility-in-women.

Contributors

  • Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG
Last Updated:
2022-09-01

(C) Copyright 2023 EBSCO Information Services

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.