Female Fertility

Possible Causes of Female Infertility

For good female fertility, you need to have regular periods, produce and release a mature egg during each menstrual cycle, produce two hormones (oestrogen and progesterone), not have any blockages in your fallopian tubes, and have an endometrial lining ready to receive a fertilised egg.

If anything of these is not quite right, you may experience problems falling pregnant, and this could be the underlying cause of your fertility issue(s).

Age is the biggest factor affecting female fertility. Other common female causes of infertility include:

• Endometriosis - where the tissue lining the uterus grows outside the uterus (such as in the pelvis), making it harder for the egg to fertilise and the embryo to implant. Symptoms include painful periods, and pain during intercourse. This can be treated by a fertility specialist with laparoscopic surgery. Learn more »
• Fibroids - lumps of uterine cell tissue growing inside or around your uterus. These can be removed through straightforward surgery by a fertility specialist if they are impacting your ability to conceive.
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal problem where your ovaries have many small follicles, thus preventing your egg from maturing. Symptoms include irregular periods, acne, obesity and increased hair growth. There are a number of ways to treat it, including medication such as Clomiphene or IVF treatment. Learn more »