For some women, getting pregnant is easy, whether they planned it or not. While for many women out there it takes lots of time and patience and sadness when the test is negative. If you have a problem to conceive you should look for medical help. Although it could be a problem with your partner, we will concentrate on the issues that woman have. Most couples around the world struggle with getting pregnant or have issues sustaining a pregnancy. Below are 5 health issues that might be hindering you from getting pregnant.

5 possible causes of infertility in woman

Endometriosis

Endometriosis happens when tissues (endometrium) start growing outside the uterus. It affects your pelvic organs such as fallopian tubes, ovaries and the tissue lining your pelvis. When this happens, the misplaced endometrial tissues continue to act normally and they still thicken, break down and bleed with each menstrual cycle. But this tissue cannot exit your body and it becomes trapped, and it also can cause your pelvic organs and tissues to stick together. Fertility problems may develop.

Symptoms: The main symptom is a pelvic pain sometimes severe, especially during periods. Other symptoms include excessive bleeding, painful intercourse, pain with bowel movements etc.

Possible solution: solutions include surgery to remove the tissues or a surgery to open the blocked fallopian tubes and fertility drugs.

Polycystic ovary syndrome

This is a hormone disorder where your ovaries produce more male hormones (androgen). This may stop your ovulation, cause problems with your period and possibility of getting pregnant. As its name suggests, small cysts are grown on the ovaries but they are not harmful. In case you don’t treat it, it may lead to diabetes or heart problems.

Symptoms: excessive hair-growth, obesity, acne and irregular periods.

Solution: fertility drugs, lifestyle changes such as workouts and diets, clomiphene citrate and ovarian drilling. For women with issues with glucose, there are certain drugs that can help reinstate regular ovulation.

Premature ovarian failure

Ovulation problems happen when the ovaries miss producing an egg or when eggs fail to mature in the ovaries. In some cases, it is referred as a premature-ovarian failure. Premature ovarian failure is when a woman loses function of the ovaries before the age of 40. Causes of POF could be chromosomal defects, toxins, autoimmune disease or just unknown.

Symptoms: missing periods, infrequent periods, night sweats, difficulty conceiving, vaginal dryness.

Solution: Treatment for this condition are estrogen therapy, calcium and vitamin D therapy. In-vitro fertilization is the only solution for this type of condition.

Blocked fallopian tubes

This can be partial or complete blockage of the fallopian tubes. This leads to damaging the fallopian tubes. When the fallopian tubes are blocked, the sperm cannot get into the egg. It also prevents the fertilized egg from reaching the uterus. Some of the main causes include sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia or gonorrhea), pelvic inflammatory disease or previous surgery. Smoking, stress, excessive drinking and being underweight or overweight can cause the fallopian tubes to block.

Symptoms: There are no major symptoms of this problem.

Solution: One of the best ways to unblock the fallopian tubes is through surgery and your doctor can prescribe you a fertility drug.

Egg factor

The quality or the number of the eggs might be poor. In most cases, this is caused by hormonal imbalance. This might be natural or caused by numerous factors that include diet, disease, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol among other factors.

Symptoms: There are no major symptoms of this problem.

Solution: Use of fertility drugs, donor eggs, donor embryos or IVF with your own eggs.

If you plan to get pregnant, it is advisable to seek your gynecologist. Tell the doctor your plans and you will probably take some tests and screenings which will help you to see where you stand. Getting tested for STD is also very advisable, especially on chlamydia. If you have any issue mentioned above your doctor can help you whether through surgery or medicines. But in case you have any of these conditions and you think your gynecologist can’t help you, seek for a good fertility clinic. Remember, you are not alone and that many women are fighting these conditions, and that they are winning their battles.