Infertility Treatment in Oxnard
Cutting-Edge Treatment Options to Help You Conceive
So, what does it mean to be infertile? Infertility is defined as being unable to get pregnant, in spite of frequent,
unprotected sex for between 6 months to 1 year, depending on specific
affecting circumstances. Approximately
10 to 15 percent of couples in the United States struggle with infertility. If you and your partner
are having difficulty conceiving, it may be time to contact a doctor who
can help you assess the situation and provide answers to your questions.
Learn more about our cutting-edge infertility treatment options in Oxnard.
Book your visit today by calling
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What Causes Infertility in Women?
In order for a woman to get pregnant, each step in the ovulation and fertilization
process must happen. However, there are some women who cannot conceive
because they're afflicted by different disorders and abnormalities
that prevent the completion of ovulation and/or fertilization.
Some of the common causes of infertility in women include:
-
Cancers & cancer treatment: Many of the reproductive cancers have a tendency to impair a woman's
ability to properly fertilize an egg. However, any cancer that is being
treated with radiation and/or chemotherapy has the potential to affect
a woman's fertility.
-
Ovulation disorders: Ovulation is essential when an unfertilized egg is released from an ovary.
However, certain disorders, such as polycysteric ovarian syndrome, hypo-
or hyperthyroidism, and hyperprolactinemia, can affect a woman's hormones
and thus affect the proper release of eggs. Additionally, women afflicted
with eating disorders or tumors can have issues with ovulation. Eating
disorders often cause women to stop ovulating, and tumors can do the same
depending on their location and how they affect a woman's hormones.
-
Endometriosis: This condition is when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus. Due
to the expansive growth of this tissue, it has the potential to affect
how a woman's ovaries, uterus, and/or fallopian tubes function.
-
Pelvic adhesions: Whether from endometriosis, a pelvic infection, or post-surgery for appendicitis
or another abonimal or
pelvic surgery, pelvic adhesions are when scar tissue binds with organs.
-
Uterine or cervical abnormalities: Sometimes, a woman can have a misshapen uterus that presents problems with
a fertilized egg binding to endometrial tissue during fertilization. However,
cervical abnormalities, polyps, or even uterine fibroids can cause blockages
that prevent implantation of a fertilized egg or even prevent an egg from
releasing from the fallopian tubes.
-
Early menopause: Menopause typically happens after a woman turns 40. However, sometimes
a woman's ovaries will stop working and menopause will have an early
onset. While the cause of early menopause is typically unknown, some genetic
conditions (Turner syndrome or Fragile X syndrome carriers) are known
to result in ovarian insufficiency.
-
Fallopian tube damage or blockage: PID, which stands for pelvic inflammatory disease, often results in inflammation
of the fallopian tube. Common causes of pelvic inflammatory disease include:
sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pelvic adhesions, and endometriosis.
Signs It's Time To See a Doctor
Infertility is a difficult battle for many couples looking to conceive
a child. If you and your partner have been trying without success, you
may begin to wonder if infertility is to blame.
Here are a few signs it may be time to see a doctor to be examined &
discuss options:
- If your menstrual cycle is too long, too short, irregular, or absent altogether
- If you've been trying for at least a year without success
- If you're between 35-40 years of age, consider meeting with a doctor
after 6 months of trying
- If you're older than 40 years old, you may want to discuss your options
more immediately
Of course, every person is different. If you're doing a routine check-up
or annual with your
gynecologist - consider discussing these concerns with them directly. From there, they
can recommend a path forward.