Uterine Infertility
We usually tend to be concerned about our various bits and pieces only when they don’t seem to be working correctly – just how you probably haven’t ever bothered much about the state of your uterus. You usually need to have a well-functioning uterus to be able to have a baby. Unfortunately uterine infertility is not that unusual. Uterine infertility is caused by many different factors:
· Fibroids – Also referred to as leimyoma or myoma, these are little benign growths that form on the lining of the uterus. They can obstruct the fallopian tube or cervix openings if there are many of them or if they are quite big.
· Polyps – Apparently look just like a skin tag, but on the interior of the uterus. Usually you wouldn’t even know if you had them, but if you suffer from abnormal bleeding that can be a sign of polyps. Like fibroids, polyps can obstruct the fallopian tube or cervix openings making it hard for the sperm and the egg to meet.
· Uterine deformities – You may inherited an oddly shaped uterus, which could impact your chances of conceiving and having a baby.
· Scar tissue – on the interior of the uterus is also known as Asherman’s Syndrome. This tissue can make it hard to have a baby or may increase the risk of miscarriage. The scar tissue might be a product of infection or due to previous surgery or repeated abortions.
· Endometriosis – This isn’t exactly a problem with the uterus, but this occurs when tissue that generally only grows on the inside of the uterus grows outside too, causing acutely painful periods and raising the odds of ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus and starts to develop – yes, that is as painful as it seems).
· Muscular problems – At the time of ovulation the uterus contracts to suck the sperm up into the fallopian tubes. If these contractions are not strong enough or happen at the wrong time it can make conceiving more difficult.
· Luteal Phase Defect – When the uterine lining doesn’t mature correctly.
· Abnormal endometrial lining – Those in the know still aren’t exactly sure on exactly what defines whether the endometrial lining that is too thick or too thin, but either one of the two could cause problems.
The tests listed below could be done to screen for uterine infertility:
· Sonohysterogram – Once the uterine cavity has been filled with a salt water solution an ultrasound scan is done to test for any structural abnormalities.
· Hysterosalpingogram – This is also to screen for ‘plumbing problems’ by filling the uterus (and fallopian tubes) with a fluid that shows up on X-ray.
· Laparoscopy – A miniature camera goes in through a small cut in the abdomen to have a look around.
· Hysteroscopy – The camera is inserted through the vagina rather than through an incision in the abdomen.
During any of these tests the doctors might take samples or swabs of the tissue to check for problems like Luteal Phase Defect.
That sounds like a lot of things that could go wrong, but a large number of women have these conditions and don’t battle to get pregnant at all. If you’re battling to get pregnant then it’s helpful to know that uterine infertility is usually easily treated, so even though the tests can be uncomfortable and awkward at least you’ll be closer to identifying what the problem is and that means you’ll be more able to fix it.
Here is more information on Endometriosis and Infertility. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Infertility.