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Infertility, Female
Medical Questions » Infertility, Female
| Name: Infertility, Female |
| Also known as: |
| Inability to conceive after 12 months of regular sexual intercourse. Fertility is a joint property, and one third of infertility is due to the male partner. |
Causes of Infertility, Female
Failure of the ovaries to develop (eg. Turner syndrome), endometriosis, abnormal development of the uterus, pelvic inflammatory disease, venereal infections of the Fallopian tubes (eg. syphilis, gonorrhea), hormonal imbalances, and in rare cases a reaction to the partner' s sperm. |
Symptoms of Infertility, Female
Unknown. |
Tests for Infertility, Female
Initially a temperature chart is kept on which the woman' s temperature is noted immediately upon waking every morning (there is normally a rise in temperature for the second half of the cycle after the egg has been released from the ovary). Further investigation involves blood tests to measure female hormone levels, special X-rays that outline the uterus (womb) and tubes, and laparoscopy (a small tube is put into the lower abdomen) to directly examine the ovaries and uterus. |
Treatment for Infertility, Female
Initially the couple' s sexual habits are checked as infrequent sex may miss the few fertile days of the month. Medical treatment depends on the cause but may include fertility drugs to promote ovulation (eg. Clomiphene), other drugs to treat endometriosis and antibiotics for infections. If there is an anatomical abnormality, it may be correctable by surgery. A small number of couples may be considered for IVF (in-vitro fertilization or ' test-tube babies' ), or GIFT (gamete intra-Fallopian transfer). GIFT involves giving ovulation stimulating (egg producing) hormones to an infertile woman, then harvesting an egg directly from her ovary using a laparoscope, and transferring this unfertilised egg along with sperm from her partner, directly into her Fallopian tube. If necessary the sperm or egg may be donated by another man or woman.
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Complications of Infertility, Female of its treatment
The success rate for any infertility procedure may be as low as 15% for each attempt, although the overall success rate may be over 50%. |
Likely Outcome of Infertility, Female
85% of couples conceive normally within 12 months. 15% have below-normal fertility. With medical aid all but 3% of couples can eventually have children. |
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