Female sterility

For a pregnancy to occur naturally, a series of conditions must be met. In a normal situation, the ovaries produce an egg (ovum) that is mature and healthy enough to develop into an embryo once it is fertilized. For conception to occur, sperm must reach the area where fertilization takes place, usually at the end of the fallopian tube near the ovary, and they must get there at the right time. Any physical, chemical or immunological obstacle can block the passage of the sperm. Once the egg has been fertilized and becomes an embryo, it travels along the fallopian tube to the uterus, where implantation occurs. The embryo attaches to the mucous membrane lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. The endometrium has to be properly prepared to allow implantation and development of the embryo. If the entire process goes correctly, the woman will become pregnant. However, any problem in any part of the process can result in infertility. By analyzing problem areas, we can establish different types of female infertility.

Women without ovarian function:
Sometimes a woman's ovaries are not normal, as do some chromosomal abnormalities. In other women the ovaries are normal, but stop working long before what would correspond to the normal age of menopause (after age 45). If the rule disappears between 40 and 45 years, is called premature menopause. If it happens before age 40 is called premature ovarian failure. The loss of ovarian function may also be due to medical and surgical treatments. Especially in some cancers may require removal of the ovaries, called bilateral oophorectomy, or the deactivation of the ovary in the so-called radiation castration by radiotherapy.

Women with abnormal ovarian function:
Sometimes, women who still have the rule, the pool of good quality oocytes in the ovary is nearly exhausted. These cases are known as occult ovarian failure respond poorly to stimulation that is used in the treatment of infertility. Another disturbance in the functioning of the ovary is called polycystic ovary syndrome. There is in these patients a hormonal disorder that does not ovulate properly. In this condition may be long periods without rule (amenorrhea). These periods without menstruation occurring in other hormonal disorders such as hyperprolactinemia. In this case, the excessive secretion of a hormone called prolactin that is produced in the pituitary gland is the cause of infertility.

Some inflammatory diseases that affect the ovaries and endometriosis can worsen the quality of oocytes. Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial tissue (as the uterine lining that produces the rule) outside the uterine cavity. Often nests in the ovary but may in other locations. Causes bleeding and inflammation.
Tubal factor

The tubes to allow passage of sperm to fertilize the oocyte and fertilized once should enable this from reaching the uterus. Obstruction or blockage of the fallopian tubal cause of infertility is thus. The lack of mobility of the tubes by adhesions or inflammatory processes can also cause problems.
The blocked tube can sometimes be long and contain liquid. This condition is known of hydrosalpinx. The liquid content, often inflammatory, may constitute an additional difficulty in achieving pregnancy.
Cervical Factor

The sperm entering the uterus through the neck of the cervix is also called. A hostile environment, with thick, acid or presence of inflammatory substances may impede the normal access of the sperm and prevent fertilization.
Uterine Factor

The embryo must nest in the uterus. In the inner lining called endometrium. If the endometrium is not in the mature stage of development and appropriate, the implementation would not be possible. The presence of internal tumors such as polyps or submucosal fibroids may be an added factor to hinder pregnancy. It can also cause sterility the existence of uterine malformations, which in many cases are not noticeable in the routine gynecologic examination.