Female Infertility

Dr. Smita Jadhav: Best Female Infertility Doctor in Kolkata

What is female infertility?

Female infertility refers to the inability of a woman to conceive a child after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse or after six months if the person is over 35 years old. To know more, contact Dr. Smita Jadhav, the best infertility gynecologist in Kolkata.

Types of Female Infertility

Types of female infertility include primary and secondary infertility.

Primary Infertility

Primary infertility refers to a couple who has never conceived a child. It is typically diagnosed when a couple has been actively trying to conceive for at least a year without success.

Secondary Infertility

This occurs when a couple has conceived in the past but is unable to do so again. This could be due to various factors, such as previous pregnancy complications, certain medical conditions, or changes in reproductive health.

Symptoms of female infertility

Symptoms of infertility in women include:

Inability to Get Pregnant

The primary sign of infertility is difficulty conceiving despite regular, unprotected intercourse.

Menstrual Cycle Irregularities

This includes cycles that are too long (35 days or more), too short (less than 21 days), irregular, or absent, which may indicate issues with ovulation. Hence, if you have been experiencing these infertility warning signs, reach out to the best gynecologist near you for treatment.

What is Abnormal Menstruation?

Abnormal menstruation, or menstrual irregularity, refers to any deviation from a regular menstrual cycle. While variations in menstrual patterns are common, abnormal menstruation involves significant deviations in frequency, duration, or intensity. This condition can manifest in various ways, disrupting the usual rhythm of a woman’s menstrual cycle and, in some cases, leading to other, more severe health concerns.

Send Us Message

Call Us

+91 9748825624

Email Us

drsmitajadhav76@gmail.com

Our Location

IB-193, Broadway Rd, IB Block, Sector III, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700106

cause-female-infertility

Causes of infertility in women

Infertility reasons in women include the following:

Conditions such as uterine polyps, fibroids, or adhesions (scarring) inside the uterus can impact fertility. Polyps and fibroids may develop independently, while adhesions can result from procedures like dilation and curettage (D&C).

The most common cause of "tubal factor" infertility is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), often resulting from untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea. Endometriosis can also lead to scarring or blockages in the fallopian tubes.

Irregular or absent ovulation can stem from hormonal imbalances, eating disorders, substance use disorders, thyroid conditions, severe stress, or pituitary tumors.

Women are born with a finite number of eggs, and this supply can deplete earlier than the typical age of menopause (around 51). Additionally, some eggs may have chromosomal abnormalities, making them unable to fertilize or develop into a healthy fetus.

What is Abnormal Menstruation?

Abnormal menstruation, or menstrual irregularity, refers to any deviation from a regular menstrual cycle. While variations in menstrual patterns are common, abnormal menstruation involves significant deviations in frequency, duration, or intensity. This condition can manifest in various ways, disrupting the usual rhythm of a woman’s menstrual cycle and, in some cases, leading to other, more severe health concerns.

Diagnostic tests for female infertility

Some of the common diagnostic tests for female infertility are mentioned below.
blood-test-img

Blood Tests

Depending on your health history and what the gynecologist is investigating, blood tests may include thyroid function tests, hormone level assessments related to ovulation and menstruation, and ovarian reserve tests to evaluate your egg supply.
hsg-img

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

This X-ray procedure involves injecting contrast dye through your cervix into your uterine cavity, allowing your provider to observe how the dye moves through your fallopian tubes to check for blockages.
saline-sonogram

Saline Sonohysterogram (SIS)

This test involves filling your uterus with saline to enhance the view of the uterine lining during a transvaginal ultrasound. It helps identify polyps, fibroids, or other structural abnormalities and can sometimes be used to check if the fallopian tubes are open.
laparoscopy

Laparoscopy

In this procedure, a laparoscope (a small camera) is inserted through a small incision in your abdomen to visually inspect your reproductive organs.
pelvic-ultra-img

Transvaginal Ultrasound

A transvaginal ultrasound provides a detailed view of your reproductive organs.
hysteroscopy-img

Hysteroscopy

This procedure involves inserting a hysteroscope (a thin, camera-equipped device) through your vagina and cervix to directly visualize the inside of your uterus.

Treatment for female infertility

Infertility treatment includes the following options.

While medical treatments are essential for addressing female infertility, lifestyle changes that help in infertility management can greatly enhance fertility outcomes. Maintaining a healthy body weight, eating a balanced diet rich in fertility-boosting nutrients, and staying physically active are crucial for reproductive health. Additionally, managing stress and focusing on self-care is important, as stress can disrupt hormonal balance and affect ovulation and menstrual cycles. Incorporating relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or fertility yoga into your daily routine can support emotional well-being during your fertility journey.

Irregular or absent ovulation is a common cause of female infertility. Ovulation induction involves using medications to stimulate the ovaries and encourage the release of mature eggs. These medications work by boosting the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which are crucial for triggering ovulation. Monitoring ovulation with blood tests and ultrasounds helps time intercourse or other fertility treatments accurately. Ovulation induction is often a first step before exploring more advanced fertility treatments and has proven successful for many women.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a less invasive treatment option that can help couples achieve pregnancy. This procedure involves processing sperm to concentrate the healthiest and most motile sperm, which is then inseminated directly into the uterus. IUI is often recommended for cases of male factor infertility or unexplained infertility and can be combined with ovulation induction to enhance success rates. Although IUI may not be suitable for everyone, it provides a more cost-effective option for many couples.

For couples facing more complex fertility challenges, Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) offer advanced options for achieving pregnancy. One of the most well-known ART procedures is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), where eggs are fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment, and the resulting embryos are then transferred into the uterus. The IVF process involves ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, embryo culture, and embryo transfer. With ongoing advancements, the success rates of IVF have improved significantly, offering hope to many couples.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have been trying to conceive for a year and are unable to get pregnant, contact the doctor for proper treatment.

Age significantly impacts female fertility. Women are born with a finite number of eggs, and the quantity and quality of these eggs decline as they age. Fertility starts to decrease more noticeably after age 35, and the chances of conception and a healthy pregnancy can be lower as women approach their 40s.

If you have undergone basic fertility assessments and there are no clear explanations for your infertility, seeing the gynecology specialist for further evaluation can help identify less obvious issues.

Yes, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can significantly affect fertility. PCOS is a common hormonal disorder that can disrupt normal ovulation and impact reproductive health.