Women are the real architects of society. She can be an innocent daughter, mother, sister, wife or grandma. The life of woman is full of difficulties and duties. In modern India, there is little development in the women status. Women are never given proper right of liberty & equality. Their condition becomes even worse when they can’t become pregnant.
Fertility problem is one of the major issues in a woman’s life today. Infertility refers to an inability to conceive after having regular unprotected sex for one year. The incidence of infertility has continued to rise over the last ten years and it is estimated that it affects approximately 15% of couples of reproductive age. It is not always a woman’s problem. Both men and women contribute to infertility. Broadly, half of the fertility issues are because of the male partner and half are because of the female partner.
Various causes of female infertility include –
- Ovarian factor – There may be problem of egg formation or release of eggs from the ovaries like in cases of polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, premature ovarian failure or advanced aging.
- Tubal factor – Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes prevent eggs from getting to the uterus and sperm from getting to the egg like in case of infection ( genital tuberculosis), endometriosis.
- Uterine factors – Egg travels from the ovary to the uterus (womb) where the fertilized egg implants and grows. If there is any problem in uterine cavity (fibroid or polyp), the female may not be able to conceive naturally or abortion may occur.
- Latrogenic causes – Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can result in ovarian failure.
But, this infertility can be treated with medicine, surgery, assisted reproductive technology (ART) – Intra-Uterine Insemination or In Vitro Fertilization. Many times these treatments are combined according to the infertility factor. The recent advances in ART have increased the overall success rate from 17% in the past to reach 50% recently.
It is important that every woman should have access to knowledge related to the spectrum of women’s health issues, not only about her fertility issue, but about all aspects of health.