There can be many reasons why a woman cannot become pregnant within the first years of trying. In this article we describe the most frequent causes of infertility among women. 

The most frequent causes of infertility in women are:

• Enclosed fallopian tubes
• Irregular or lack of ovulation
• Age
• Very overweight
• Smoking

Enclosed Fallopian Tube

Some women have constricted or completely closed fallopian tubes. In these cases, it may be difficult to conceive naturally, as the egg either destroys the fallopian tube or is not captured by the fallopian tube and therefore disappears into the abdominal cavity. The sperm also has difficulty penetrating through the fallopian tube if it is narrow or even completely closed. Here, test tube treatment, where the egg is fertilized outside the womb in the laboratory and then put back into the uterus, is the only way to get pregnant.

Irregular or lack of Ovulation 

Irregular or lack of ovulation is usually caused by hormonal disorders. It can be polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO), early menopause, high levels of prolactin or too low levels of the hormones FSH and LH. PCO is seen in 80-90 percent of women with a lack of ovulation.

Women who have problems with the maturation of the eggs and with the ovulation can often be helped by medical means. Often, you will choose to combine the medical treatment with insemination or with test tube treatment.

Age

Female infertility increases as the woman ages. That's because the quality of the woman's eggs decreases as she gets older. In addition, the risk of miscarriage is increased, often due to chromosome defects in the eggs.

Very Overweight 

If the woman has a BMI over 30, it reduces fertility and often causes problems during both pregnancy and childbirth. If the woman is very obese, hormones may be imbalanced. Good diet and lifestyle advice is an important part of increasing a woman's fertility and thus the chance of becoming pregnant.

Smoking 

If the woman smokes more than 10-15 cigarettes a day, it may impair her ability to conceive. We always recommend smoking cessation as it is extremely harmful to the woman as well as to a fetus.

At Vitanova, we help childless couples and women who want help getting a family. You are always welcome to contact us if you have any questions about our treatments or your fertility.