Uterine Infertility

You probably never gave much attention to your uterus until the day you chose to start trying for a baby. You generally need to have a healthy uterus to be able to get pregnant. Unfortunately uterine infertility is not that scarce. 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 endometrium. They can obstruct the fallopian tube or cervix openings if there are many of them or if they are quite large.

· Polyps – Apparently look identical to a skin tag, but on the inner wall of the uterus. There are no definite symptoms for polyps except abnormal bleeding. They can obstruct the path of the sperm or the egg, or inhibit a fertilized egg from implanting.

· Malformations of the uterus – You may have been born with an irregularly formed uterus, which might influence your chances of getting and staying pregnant.

· Scar tissue – on the inside of the uterus is also called Asherman’s Syndrome. Like fibroids and polyps this scar tissue could bring about infertility or miscarriage. Many abortions, surgeries or infections may cause scar tissue.

· Endometriosis – This raises your risk of ectopic pregnancy (when the baby starts growing outside the womb) because cells that are usually only found on the interior of the uterus start growing outside as well. This also causes awful cramping and very heavy bleeding during menstruation.

· Muscular problems – Normally the uterus assists the sperm to get up the fallopian tubes through contracting – usually during ovulation. If these contractions are weak or happen at the wrong time it may make conceiving more difficult.

· Luteal Phase Defect – When the lining of the uterus doesn’t form correctly.

· Abnormal endometrial lining – Those in the know still aren’t exactly sure on exactly what defines whether the endometrial lining that is too thin or too thick, but either condition can cause problems.

The tests listed below may be done to screen for uterine infertility:

· Sonohysterogram – A salt-water solution is injected into the uterine cavity and then an ultrasound scan is done.

· Hysterosalpingogram – This is also to screen for ‘plumbing problems’ by filling the uterine cavity (and fallopian tubes) with a fluid that comes up on X-ray.

· Laparoscopy – A tiny camera is inserted through a small cut in the abdomen to have a look-see.

· Hysteroscopy – The camera is inserted through the vagina rather than via an incision in the abdomen.

Doctors can also use the procedures listed previously as opportunities to take tissue samples for checking.

After having had all these tests you might find that your uterus is in perfect working order – and so begins the process of elimination! It’s comforting to be aware that although the testing process might be rather uncomfortable, most of these problems are easily treated.

Here is more information on Endometriosis and Infertility. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Infertility.