Why Cant I Get Pregnant? Common Causes of Infertility
A common question asked by women who are having trouble getting pregnant is, “Why cant I get pregnant?”. Of couples who are trying to have a baby, 17% have trouble conceiving. There are many reasons why some women have problems getting pregnant. The number one reason for difficulties in conception is infertility. Infertility is the main reason some women cannot conceive. There are different causes for why women may be infertile. Let’s look at some common causes of infertility in women.
Body Weight & Eating Disorder
About 12% of all infertility cases are a direct result of women being underweight or overweight. Too much body fat causes production of too much estrogen and the body begins to react as if it is on birth control, thus, decreasing the chances of getting pregnant. However, too little body fat causes insufficient production of estrogen and a disruption of the woman’s menstrual cycle. Both under and overweight women can have irregular cycles, in which ovulation does not occur or is inadequately irregular. Good and balanced nutrition and weight control is an important factor that influences fertility in women.
Problems with Ovulation
Ovulation problems relate to any condition that affects or prevents the natural release of a mature egg from the woman’s ovary. The most common symptom for this condition is infrequent/irregular periods and extremely heavy or very light bleeding. There are possible solutions for this condition, such as, taking prescribed ovulation stimulating medications and “in vitro fertilization” (IVF). Experts cite that about 70% of women can begin adequate ovulation, and of those women, close to 60% can get pregnant after taking the above mentioned steps.
Poor Egg Quality
Poor egg quality refers to eggs that become damaged or develop abnormalities, and therefore, cannot sustain a normal pregnancy. This condition is usually experienced by women in their late 30’s and 40’s, as egg quality usually begins to decline when women enter their late 30’s. There are no identifiable symptoms related to this condition, and the only effective solutions to this condition are, either egg donation, or surrogacy. Statistics indicate that about 45% of women who have a fertilized donor’s egg implanted become successfully pregnant.
Another major cause for infertility in women is endometriosis. This condition occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus. Endometrial tissue is the lining that sheds every month during a woman’s period. Symptoms for this condition are very painful menstrual periods and heavy or irregular bleeding. Sometimes miscarriages are an indication of endometriosis. The only effective solutions to this condition are surgery to remove abnormal tissue or IVF. Between 40% to 60% of women are able to conceive after undergoing surgery.
Blocked Fallopian Tubes
This condition is when the fallopian tubes are either blocked or damaged, preventing eggs from entering the uterus or preventing sperm from getting to the egg. Causes for this condition include sexually transmitted diseases, pelvic inflammatory disease and sterilization surgery. There are no identifiable symptoms for this condition. Surgery and IVF are the only effective solutions for blocked fallopian tubes. Success rates for surgery depend on how blocked or damaged the fallopian tubes were before surgery, and on how much scar tissue develop in the area after the surgery.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Women who have hormone imbalances can develop many small cysts on and around their ovaries, preventing them from ovulating regularly. This condition is known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Possible symptoms for this condition are irregular menstrual periods, weight gain, excessive hair growth, and acne. Solutions for this condition and its symptoms are ovulation stimulating medication, hormone therapy, and IVF. Seventy percent (70%) of women who take medication for this condition experience regular ovulation, and 50% of those women conceive within 6-9 months. However, 20% of those pregnancies develop into a miscarriage.
There are solutions for all the infertility issues mentioned in the article. Infertility is not a problem without a solution. There are many answers to the question, “Why cant I get pregnant.” There are many ways to overcome infertility.