You probably never gave much thought to your uterus until the day you chose to get going on trying for a baby. You generally need to have a healthy uterus to be able to conceive. Unfortunately uterine infertility is not that unusual. There a number of factors that may cause uterine infertility:
· Fibroids – These are small benign lumps that grow on the endometrium. If these form near the fallopian tube or cervix openings, or they are rather big, or numerous, they may make it difficult for the egg and the sperm to meet.
· Polyps – Apparently look just like a skin tag, just on the interior of the uterus. Most of the time you wouldn’t even be aware if you had them, but if you have abnormal bleeding that can be an indicator of polyps. They can block 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 oddly shaped uterus, which may affect your chances of getting and staying pregnant.
· Scar tissue – Also referred to as Asherman’s syndrome, this is when there is scar tissue on the inside of the uterus. This tissue can make it difficult to get pregnant or could increase the chance of miscarriage. Multiple abortions, infections or surgeries may cause scar tissue.
· Endometriosis – This isn’t exactly a uterine problem, but this is when tissue that usually only grows on the interior of the uterus grows outside as well, causing incredibly painful menstruation and increasing the odds of ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube and starts to grow – yes, that is as painful as it seems).
· Muscular problems – Generally the uterus assists the sperm to make it up the fallopian tubes by contracting – usually during ovulation. Problems with these contractions might make things quite difficult for the sperm.
· Luteal phase defect – The name appears quite daunting, but this just suggests that the lining of the uterus doesn’t form properly.
· Abnormal endometrial lining – This is when the endometrium is too thin or too thick, although exact definitions of too thin or too thick are rather relative.
A number of tests that are used to identify these conditions:
· Ultrasound – A salt-water solution is squirted into the uterine cavity and viewed via ultrasound.
· Hysterosalpingogram – A solution that is visible on X-ray is injected into the uterine cavity and then an X-ray is taken to look for are any abnormal growths or obstructions.
· Laparoscopy – A tiny camera goes in through a small cut in the abdomen to have a look around.
· Hysteroscopy – The camera is inserted via the vagina rather than through an incision in the abdomen.
Doctors could also use the procedures listed previously as opportunities to take tissue samples for testing.
After having had all these tests you may discover that your uterus is just fine – and so begins the process of elimination! If you’re battling to have a baby then it’s helpful to know that uterine infertility is generally easily treated, so although the tests may be uncomfortable and awkward at least you’ll be able to discern what the problem is and that means you’ll be more able to fix it.
Here is more information on Endometriosis and Infertility. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Infertility.