Female Fertility

Understanding female fertility

In women, fertility is the ability to become pregnant. It is closely linked to the menstrual cycle and ovulation. Each month, one mature egg is released from the ovaries, where it awaits fertilization by sperm. Factors such as irregular menstrual cycles, ovulatory disorders and ovarian reserve can impact female fertility.

Causes of fertility problems in females

If a woman and her partner have been trying to get pregnant for at least one year without success, then one of them may be experiencing fertility problems. Anyone can be affected by fertility problems, but factors that commonly impact female fertility include

• Age: Women are born with all their eggs, and as they get older, the quantity and quality of the eggs decrease. Women are at their most fertile in their late teens and 20s. At 30, fertility begins to decline, and the decline becomes more rapid by mid-30s. By 40, the chance of conceiving naturally is a lot lower as the number of eggs is reduced and the remaining eggs are less fertile.
• Blockages or damage to the fallopian tubes: The egg travels from the ovaries to the uterus through the fallopian tubes. Damage or a blockage to one or both of the tubes, which is often caused by pelvic inflammatory disease, can impact fertility.
• Conditions of the uterus or cervix: Growths, such as polyps or fibroids, on the uterus or cervix can make conception more difficult.
• Early menopause: When menstrual periods stop between the ages of 40 and 45.
• Primary ovarian insufficiency: A women stops having periods or ovarian function is lost before the age of 40 (also called prematre menopause).
• Endometriosis: A condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus grows on the outside of the uterus.
• Ovulation problems or irregular periods: Ovulation is the release of an egg every month from the ovaries. Hormone-related conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid conditions and high prolactin hormone levels, can affect ovulation. Ovulation can also be affected by diabetes that isn’t managed properly and some autoimmune diseases.
• Pelvic or uterine adhesions: These are bands of scar tissue which bind organs together and can occur after an infection in the pelvis, abdominal or pelvic surgery or appendicitis.

Increasing female fertility

Although many types of female infertility can’t be prevented, there are certain risk factors that contribute to infertility that can be controlled through lifestyle modifications.

These include

• Limiting alcohol: Heavy alcohol use is linked to ovulation problems. It is best to quit alcohol completely when trying to conceive.
• Limiting caffeine: Try to drink no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day (one or two cups of coffee) when trying to conceive.
• Maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight or underweight can affect ovulation.
• Quitting smoking: Any type of tobacco use can affect fertility as it ages the ovaries.
• Reducing stress and sleeping more: This will improve your overall health and boost the chances of conception.

If you are trying to conceive, talk to a fertility specialist about the lifestyle changes you can make to support your fertility journey and increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Learn more about female fertility

If you have been trying to become pregnant for more than a year, or you think you may have a medical condition that is affecting your fertility, seek the support of a specialist. Book an appointment today at our Fertility clinic in Dubai.