Structural Causes of Infertility
Structural Causes of Female Infertility
Problems with the female anatomy are one of the most common causes of infertility in women. They include:
Ovarian Cysts – most ovarian cysts do not cause fertility problems, but the following types of ovarian cysts may lead to problems getting pregnant: endometriomas (cysts caused by endometriosis) or cysts resulting from PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome).
Uterine Fibroids – benign or non-cancerous growths of tissue in the muscular layer of the uterus that make it difficult for an embryo to implant and grow.
Uterine Septum – the result of a congenital malformation, or uterine birth defect, in women where the uterine cavity is divided by a wedge-like partition of tissue. This condition is associated with a higher risk for miscarriage.
Tubal Abnormalities – conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis can cause the tube to be blocked or swollen, interfering with fertilization and the tubes ability to transport a fertilized egg to the uterus.
Pelvic Adhesions – adhesions or scar tissue may form after a pelvic infection, appendicitis or abdominal or pelvic surgery, impairing fertility.
Endometrial & Cervical Issues – If a woman is born with a uterine anomaly (a congenital abnormal uterine shape), it can cause problems. The uterus can also be poorly receptive to embryo implantation due to severe infections or past exposure to chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Poor quality cervical mucus that is not present in adequate quantities or is too “sticky” to allow sperm to pass may also contribute to infertility.
Cervical Factor Infertility
Cervical Factor Cervical factor infertility can be caused by poor quality cervical mucus that is not present in adequate quantities or is too “sticky” to allow sperm to pass. Sometimes this is secondary to an abnormality in the hormonal levels due to ovulatory dysfunction. Another condition causing cervical factor infertility is the presence of antisperm antibodies in the mucus.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is an effective first line treatment for cervical factor infertility. In IUI, the specially washed and concentrated sperm are placed directly into the uterus, thus bypassing the cervical mucus. IVF is another treatment option if IUI is unsuccessful.
The highly trained fertility doctors at Dallas - Fort Worth Fertility Associates are experienced in helping couples cope with the structural causes of infertility. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about your unique case.