The Causes of Infertility

Written by The Blue Heron Clinic

Female Inifertility Causes

Declining Pregnancy & Fertility rates are a concern to western medicine and families hoping to conceive. The most common causes of female infertility include fallopian tube damage or blockage, endometriosis, ovulation disorders, elevated prolactin, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), early menopause, benign uterine fibroids and pelvic adhesions.

Treating Infertility with Acupuncture

So How Can Acupuncture and TCM help?  Chinese Medicine has been successfully treating fertility issues for hundreds of years by focusing on core constitutional health issues and correcting any imbalances which may be present. Traditional Chinese Medicine has a holistic, non invasive approach to fertility which promotes health from within.

Infertility & Fallopian Tube Damage

Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes may cause complications - Read more...

Fallopian tube damage usually results from inflammation of the fallopian tube (salpingitis). Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease, is the most frequent cause. Tubal inflammation may go unnoticed or may cause pain and fever. Tubal damage may result in a pregnancy in which the fertilized egg is unable to make its way through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterus (ectopic pregnancy). One episode of tubal infection may cause fertility difficulties. The risk of ectopic pregnancy increases with each occurrence of tubal infection.

Infertility & Endometriosis

Abnormal growth of endometrial cells outside the uterine cavity - Read more...

Endometriosis occurs when the uterine tissue implants and grows outside of the uterus — often affecting the function of the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes. These implants respond to the hormonal cycle and grow, shed and bleed in sync with the lining of the uterus each month, which can lead to scarring and inflammation. Pelvic pain and infertility are common in women with endometriosis.

Infertility & Ovulation Disorders

Healthy Ovulation is critical for successful pregnancy - Read more..

Some cases of female infertility are caused by ovulation disorders. Disruption in the part of the brain that regulates ovulation can cause low levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Even slight irregularities in the hormone system can prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs (anovulation). Specific causes of hypothalamic-pituitary disorders that can result in anovulation include injury, tumors, excessive exercise and starvation. In addition, some medications can be associated with ovulation disorders.

Infertility & Elevated Prolactn (hyperprolactinemia)

Prolactin inhibits pregnancy - managing stress levels can help - Read more..

The hormone prolactin stimulates breast milk production. High levels in women who aren't pregnant or nursing may affect ovulation. An elevation in prolactin levels may also indicate the presence of a pituitary tumor. In addition, some drugs can elevate levels of prolactin. Milk flow not related to pregnancy or nursing can be a sign of high prolactin.

Infertility & Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a common cause of infertility in women - Read more...

In PCOS, your body produces too much androgen hormone, which affects ovulation. PCOS is also associated with insulin resistance and obesity.

Infertility & Early Menopause - P.O.F.

Premature ovarian failure: Acupuncture may offer help where western medicine has failed

Early menopause is the absence of menstruation and the early depletion of ovarian follicles before age 40. Although the cause is often unknown, certain conditions are associated with early menopause, including immune system diseases, radiation or chemotherapy treatment, and smoking.

Uterine Fibroids effect on Infertility

Fibroids are benign tumors in the wall of the uterus and are common in women in their 30s and 40s. Rarely, they may cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes. More often, fibroids interfere with proper implantation of the fertilized egg.

Pelvic Adhesions role Infertility

Pelvic adhesions are bands of scar tissue that bind organs after pelvic infection, appendicitis, or abdominal or pelvic surgery. This scar tissue formation may impair fertility.

The Blue Heron Galway Fertility Clinic uses Chinese Medicine to help Fertility and treat the causes of inifertility in Galway, Ireland.