Female Infertility: How to Spot Alarming Signs & What to Do Next

Female infertility refers to a woman's inability to conceive a child or carry a pregnancy to full term. Infertility can have many causes, including:

• Hormonal imbalances
• Structural problems with the reproductive organs
• Health problems that make it difficult to conceive or carry a pregnancy

How Can You Tell If a Woman Is Infertile?

The inability to become pregnant even after a year of unprotected sex is the most typical sign of infertility in women.

Other signs and symptoms of female infertility include:

• Missing or irregular periods
• Periodic discomfort
• Pelvic pain
• Dark or bloody vaginal discharge
• Unusual uterine bleeding
• Change in the frequency of your periods
• Variation in how much you bleed during your period
• A shift in the duration of your menstrual cycle
• Changes in the cervical mucus' texture
• A shift in your cervix's position
• Decline in libido (sexual drive)
• Change in your nipples or breast size

Types of Fertility Tests in Women

Fertility tests are used to determine whether a woman is able to conceive a child. These tests can diagnose fertility problems, determine the cause of infertility, and predict the likelihood of success with fertility treatments.

Fertility tests in women can also be used to measure the levels of specific hormones in the body and to evaluate the structure and function of the reproductive organs.

The following are a few common types of fertility tests that can help assess a woman’s reproductive health:

1. The Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Test

   It examines the ovarian reserves to determine how many egg cells are left. As a woman ages, the quantity decreases, making it more difficult to conceive. The AMH test is the most used fertility test for women.

   Blood tests or ultrasounds can also be used to conduct this test. The ultrasound counts the number of follicles on the ovaries (egg-containing sacs).

2. Tests to Assess the Fallopian Tubes/ Uterus

   The fallopian tubes (through which eggs travel from ovaries to the uterus) can be evaluated using a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). Here, a dye is injected into the uterus, and an X-ray is used to assess the movement of the dye through the fallopian tubes.

   The uterus can be evaluated using a sonohysterogram (SHG), in which ultrasound is used to examine the insides of the uterus.

Besides these, laparoscopic procedures may also be performed to assess the condition of the reproductive organs. Here, a small incision is made in the abdomen, and a thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted into the uterus to examine the organs.

What Is the Purpose of Fertility Tests?

Fertility tests in women can be used to:

• diagnose potential fertility problems
• determine the cause of infertility in women
• predict the likelihood of successful conception post-fertility treatments

Now that you know about the causes of infertility in women, we can discuss treatment options for it.

What Are the Available Fertility Treatment Options?

Thankfully, there are various ways to treat infertility in women, including:

Ovulation induction: Stimulates ovulation in women who are not ovulating regularly.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI): Involves placing sperm inside the uterus near the time of ovulation.

Invitro fertilization (IVF): This is a more invasive fertility treatment in which eggs are removed from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then placed back into the uterus.

Tubal surgery/ tubal ligation reversal: Involves reconnecting blocked or cut segments of the fallopian tube.

Laparoscopic surgery: It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat endometriosis, uterine fibroids, blocked fallopian tubes, and other conditions that can cause infertility.

Counseling: Infertility can be a very emotionally stressful experience. Counseling can help couples to reduce stress and emotions associated with infertility and improve the chances of conception.

Fertility medications: These medications can be used alone or in combination with other fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Common fertility medications include

• Clomiphene citrate (Clomid or Serophene)
• Gonadotropins (Gonal-F, Follistim, Menopur)
• Letrozole (Femara)

Finding It Difficult to Conceive? Help Is at Hand with North Atlanta Women’s Care!

At North Atlanta Women’s Care, we offer all-round care and treatment for female infertility, depending on the underlying cause. Hormonal imbalances are treated with medications or surgery, while structural problems are corrected through surgery. We also recommend medications and offer fertility treatments in Suwanee, GA to treat other health problems that might be making it difficult for you to conceive or carry a pregnancy.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment if you're having issues with your pregnancy or have concerns about your gynecological health. Our team of experts is available to assist you at every stage of your journey to motherhood.