Causes of female infertility
PROBLEMS WITH MATURATION AND RELEASE OF OVA
20-30% of female infertility is caused by the fact that the ovaries do not mature and release egg cells (ova). The maturation of ova is regulated by pituitary hormones - follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH and luteinizing hormone or LH. FSH induces the development of ovarian follicle and LH is necessary for the maturation of ovum and its release from ovary (ovulation). The maturation or release of ova is disrupted if pituitary produces too little/much of FSH/LH. The problems with the maturation and release of ova may also lie in eating disorders, thyroid dysfunctions or some chronic diseases.
DAMAGE OF UTERINE MEMBRANE OR FALLOPIAN TUBES
Problems with Fallopian tubes and uterine membrane rank first as causes of infertility in Estonia. Ova are located in ovaries, where one ovum (egg) matures and is released monthly from the ovary of a woman of fertile age (ovulation). The end of a Fallopian tube directs the released ovum into the Fallopian tube. The ovum is fertilized in the Fallopian tube and the developing embryo moves on to uterus. The embryo usually reaches the uterus on the fourth day of pregnancy and implants on the uterine membrane (endometrium) on day 7-9 after fertilisation. If Fallopian tubes cannot be passed through, no fertilisation occurs. Fallopian tubes are damaged by inflammations, such as chlamydiosis, gonorrhoea, ureaplasmosis and mycoplasmosis. In addition, the functioning of Fallopian tubes may also be disrupted by changes in the pelvis that may result from operations on appendix, sexual organs and abdominal cavity or endometriosis. Inflammations, endometriosis and operations may also damage the uterine membrane and prevent embryo implantation.
ENDOMETRIOSIS
Endometriosis is a disorder affecting women in which the uterine membrane grows and functions outside the uterine cavity. Endometriosis damages ovaries and causes changes in the connective tissue of sexual organs. Endometriosis occurs in 1-7% of women of fertile age, but the causes behind this medical condition have remained unclear. Treatment is surgical or pharmaceutical, but could result in the decrease of fertility.