8 - What to know about the infertile female

Summary

This chapter summarizes the important aspects of female fertility and infertility. To conceive a pregnancy naturally, there are several requirements. Fertilization usually occurs near the end of the fallopian tube and the fertilized egg (embryo) is then transported over several days into the uterine cavity. Problems including impotence, premature ejaculation, and dyspareunia can all lead to inadequate exposure to sperm at the time of ovulation. The most common cause of anovulation among infertile women is polycystic ovarian syndrome. If a woman is overweight, the first step in managing polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is weight loss through diet and exercise. Women with stress-induced amenorrhea are encouraged to reduce exercise and gain weight. Occasionally, abnormalities of the uterus are thought to contribute to infertility. Clomiphene citrate is commonly used to enhance ovulation in women who are either anovulatory or women who are already ovulating but not getting pregnant.