Am I At Risk Of Female Infertility?

Are you over 35?

Do you have a hormonal imbalance?

Do you have an abnormal menstrual cycle (a period that lasts longer than 35 days or shorter than 21 days, an irregular or absent period)?

Are you malnourished (undernourished or obese)?

Do you have a low body fat due to vigorous exercise?

Do you have endometriosis, structural problems with the fallopian tubes, uterus or ovaries, uterine fibroids, cysts or tumors?

Do you have sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

Do you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)?

Do you have autoimmune disorders (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's disease, thyroid conditions)?

Do you smoke or drink a lot?

Have you had an ectopic pregnancy before?

Based on your answers you have a low risk of infertility. Infertility refers to an unsuccessful attempt to conceive in couples who have had frequent unprotected intercourse for at least a year. Approximately 10 to 18 percent of couples in America have infertility problems, and in a third of cases, the problem is female infertility. The risk of infertility increases as women age. If you are under 35, you can seek medical help after a year of unsuccessful attempts to conceive.

Based on your answers you have a moderate risk of infertility. Female infertility is a common problem that affects about 10 percent of women. Many factors can contribute to female infertility such as health conditions, hereditary traits, lifestyle choices and age. A woman's age is becoming an increasingly important factor because a large number of women decide to have children after the age of 30. As women age, the number of eggs decreases, there are more eggs with an abnormal number of chromosomes, and women have an increased risk of other health conditions. Contact your doctor if you have irregular menstruation, as this may indicate ovulation problems.

Based on your answers you have a high risk of infertility. In most cases, female infertility cannot be prevented, but some risk factors that may contribute to infertility can be controlled, such as reducing alcohol consumption and smoking cessation, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. There are many possible causes of female infertility and it is often difficult to determine the exact one. Many women have problems with the uterus such as polyps, fibroids or adhesions inside the uterine cavity, structural problems with the fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease or ovulation problems due to hormonal imbalance, previous eating disorders, substance abuse or thyroid conditions.