Infertility
Female Infertility
Female Infertility may be due to a variety of factors. Fertilization of the ovum or egg requires many of the aspects of the female reproductive system to work in concert. The ovum is produced in the ovary in a maturation process that is under the control of the pituitary gland in the brain. When a girl matures increasing levels of pituitary hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) rise to stimulate the growth of follicles in the ovary. Each month one follicle grows to the appropriate size as the ovary produces estrogen that increases the lining of the uterus in preparation for the implantation of the fertilized ovum. Hormonal imbalances can prevent ovulation and there is no egg available for fertilization.
Once the egg is released it is swept into the Fallopian tube by the fimbria. Fertilization occurs in the Fallopian tube where the sperm meet and penetrate the egg. Any scaring or blockage of the Fallopian tube can result in infertility due the inability of the sperm to reach the egg. As the fertilized egg travels to the uterus where it will implant and develop into a fetus, hormones from the ovary prepare the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, to receive the blastocyst or early developing pregnancy. If the hormones produced by the ovary are not adequate for the lining to properly develop an early miscarriage or spontaneous abortion will occur.
Abnormalities in the uterus itself will make a hostile environment for a developing pregnancy. Fibroid tumors, uterine scarring or inadequate cervical mucus will all interfere with both conception and implantation of a pregnancy. Fibroid tumor and scar tissue will block sperm transport or inhibit implantation. Inadequate cervical mucus may come from hormonal factors or the removal of part of the endocervical canal due to treatment of precancerous changes.
The female reproductive tract and the menstrual cycle are complex. Multiple factors must be perfectly aligned for a conception, implantation and development of a normal pregnancy. An abnormality or absence of any factor will result in female infertility.
