How Uterine Conditions Affect Fertility?
Can conditions affecting the uterus (womb) cause infertility?
Yes. Various type of problems of the uterus can cause infertility or repeated abortions. Uterus or the womb is where the embryo (fertilized egg) implants and grows into a baby.
What are the common uterine or cervical causes impacting fertility?
Several uterine or cervical causes can impact fertility by interfering with implantation or increasing the likelihood of a miscarriage.
- Congenital abnormalities Congenital means ‘by birth’. Different type of problems may be present such as abnormal size or shape of the uterus, septum ( a partition) in the uterus, narrow cervical canal and a malformed uterus.
- Infections: Various types of infections can result in the damage of the lining of the uterus. In India TB is very common. The patients may not have any symptoms other than infertility.
- Benign polyps or tumors/fibroids in the uterus Fibroids, especially the ones that are causing a distortion of the uterine cavity can prevent implantation of the embryo or cause abortion.
- Cervical stenosis—a narrowing of the cervix, can be caused by an inherited malformation or damage to the cervix. Inability of the cervix to produce the right type of mucus that allows the sperm to travel through the cervix into the uterus.
- Fallopian tube blockage: The Fallopian tube is the site where the egg meets the sperm and fertilisation occurs. If the tube is blocked obviously this cannot happen.
- Endometriosis: This is an inflammatory condition that can result is scarring and prevent pregnancy.
How do you know you have a uterine condition?
A doctor that has specialised in infertility will take history and do a physical examination. You may then need some investigations such as:
- Ultrasound Scan
- Sonohysterogram: A special fluid is passed into the uterus through the cervix followed by a vaginal ultrasound. The fluid allows a clear picture of the inside of the uterus than a regular ultrasound.
- Hysterosalpingogram: A dye is inserted into the cervix followed by an X-ray of the uterus. Your doctor examines your cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes through this test.
- MRI Scan: this is a very good investigation to look for uterine abnormalities. MRI uses large magnets and radio waves to capture a clear picture of the inside of your uterus
What Gunasheela Recommends?
Not all uterine conditions may prevent you from getting pregnant, however some severe conditions can make it hard for you to get pregnant, and some may even cause miscarriage or premature birth. For those conditions, treatment is needed as the earliest to help improve your chances of having a healthy pregnancy.
We at Gunasheela, house a team of fertility experts to offer you a helping hand in achieving your dream of parenthood. You can directly talk to our experts at 080-46462600 or visit www.gunasheela.in