If you're struggling to conceive, you may be feeling defeated, depressed and even ashamed. However, you'd be surprised to hear that infertility has been ranked the 5th highest serious global disability by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Difficulties in conceiving are far more common than you may expect and affect up to 20% of South African couples.
Many couples who have been trying to conceive often blame infertility for their difficulty falling pregnant. Dr Frances Paterson, urogynaecologist at The Urology Hospital (Pretoria, South Africa), explains that not all couples who experience fertility problems are actually infertile. Before going down the route of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), adoption, surrogacy or other alternatives, it may be worthwhile to determine whether you or your partner are in fact unable to reproduce, or whether there is an underlying health issue which may be able to be solved!
What is infertility?
Infertility is the inability of a sexually active couple (male and female), not using any birth control, to get pregnant after one year of trying. Fertility problems can happen in women and men, and can have many causes!
Reasons why female may struggle to fall pregnant
1) Anovulatory Cycles
Some women experience anovulatory cycles. This means that although a woman may be experiencing 'normal' menstrual cycles, she is not ovulating (releasing an egg). Anovulation may occur due to perimenopause, stress, imbalanced diet, hormone imbalances, anorexia or just by chance. In some, anovulatory cycles may be a once off occurrence and in others, it may be recurring. If you suspect you may have anovulatory cycles, contact a gynecologist who will prescribe a series of ultrasound examinations and blood tests.
Symptoms of anovulatory cycles:
- Irregular periods
- Short cycles (less than 21 days)
- Periods that are often more than 10 days late
- You have an endocrine disorder such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), increased prolactin, thyroid dysfunction
- Difficulty falling pregnant
2) Menopause
Menopause is defined as the period in a woman's life (typically between the ages of 45 and 50) when menstruation ceases. As a woman ages, the number of eggs she has decreases and the quality of the remaining eggs also decrease. Women in their late 30s and older are generally less fertile than women in their early 20s. This naturally results in a decline in fertility and chances of conception. Additionally, production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone is reduced, triggering many physical and mental changes or disturbances. Some women may begin menopause earlier than usual.
Symptoms of menopause:
- Irregular periods
- Complete lack of periods
- Hot flashes
- Mood changes
- Night sweats
- Weight gain
- Loss of libido (sex drive)
- Vaginal dryness
- Headaches
- Increased hair growth on areas such as face, neck, chest, and upper back
- Difficulty falling pregnant
3) Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a painful disorder where endometrial tissue grows outside your uterus. The endometrial tissue is only supposed to line your uterus, but in women who suffer from endometriosis, the tissue grows in the ovaries, Fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis.
Mayoclinic provides a clear outline of what happens to women who suffer from endometriosis: "With endometriosis, displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would — it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. Because this displaced tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped. When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form. Surrounding tissue can become irritated, eventually developing scar tissue and adhesions — abnormal bands of fibrous tissue that can cause pelvic tissues and organs to stick to each other. Endometriosis can cause pain — sometimes severe — especially during menstrual periods. Fertility problems also may develop."
Symptoms of endometriosis:
- Painful periods
- Painful intercourse
- Painful urination/bowel movements
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Difficulty falling pregnant
4) Blocked Fallopian Tubes
Blocked Fallopian tubes may be caused by scar tissue, infection, and pelvic adhesions. This causes a problem for conception because the Fallopian tubes are responsible for transporting eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. The Fallopian tubes are also the places where conception happens! If a Fallopian tube is blocked, the passage for sperm to reach the eggs, as well as the path back to the uterus for the fertilised egg, is blocked. Blocked Fallopian tubes often don't cause any symptoms and may go unnoticed until the woman struggles to fall pregnant.
Symptoms of blocked Fallopian tubes:
- Mild pain on one side of the lower abdomen
- Difficulty falling pregnant
5) Irregular Cycles
Irregular menstruation is a condition where a woman's period continually falls outside of “regular” ranges for various reasons. People with irregular cycles may notice that their periods happen infrequently, frequently, or are just very unpredictable. Irregular menstruation can happen after menarche (the 2–3 years after menstruation begins), during perimenopause (beginning of menopause), after childbirth, during breastfeeding, after miscarriage, due to sleep disorders, chronic stress, eating disorders, while on certain medication, due to hormonal imbalance or endocrine disorders, and an unhealthy lifestyle.
6) Fibroids
Fibroids are benign (non-malignant) tumours which develop in the uterus, made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue. It's estimated that 70-80% of women will develop fibroids in their lifetime, many never having to receive treatment. The cause of fibroids is completely unknown, with many professionals assuming it's down to genetics and weight.
Symptoms of fibroids:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Prolonged menstruation
- Pelvic pain and inflammation
- Frequent urination
- Painful intercourse
- Back ache
- Difficulty falling pregnant
7) Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder where a woman produces higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones. PCOS is a common cause of a woman's difficulty falling pregnant as she will often experience irregular periods, anovulation and multiple fluid-filled cysts in her ovaries. Doctors don’t know exactly what causes PCOS but it's believed that high levels of male hormones prevent the ovaries from functioning normally.
Symptoms of PCOS:
- Missed or irregular periods
- Excessive hair growth, usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks
- Thinning hair on the head
- Oily skin or acne
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Sleeping problems
- Difficulty falling pregnant
Natural Solutions
At Perfectly Healthy we have developed a wide range of natural solutions to help you overcome the conditions that could be causing your infertility:
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Customer Testimonies
"I bought this product both with help regulating my period with PCOS and for fertility. The first and second month using this every day as directed, my period happened right on time each month and the third month I got pregnant with my son, who was just born 4 months ago. I can attest to this product working WONDERS for fertility and PCOS period regulation."
"The most awesome product for hormone regulating ever! I struggled to get pregnant due to fluctuating hormones. I got pregnant twice while using these drops within 1 to 3 months. After pregnancy I also used it to get back to normal within 1 to 2 months."
"My periods stopped due to fibroids, when started using the medication could see a little bit of blood coming.... Hoping to get back to my normal cycle. I'm placing my second order before the 1st one finishes. I'd recommend this product"
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Many Blessings
Perfectly Healthy