There are various causes of difficulty conceiving experienced by some married couples, ranging from medical conditions or certain health problems to unhealthy lifestyles. Let's find out what are the causes of difficulty in getting pregnant so that treatment can be carried out immediately according to the cause.
The presence of a child must be the dream of every married couple. However, some couples may have difficulty conceiving a child, even after years of trying to plan a pregnancy or trying to conceive.
There are many reasons why married couples can have difficulty conceiving children. The causes of difficulty in getting pregnant are not only experienced by women, but also men.
Some Causes of Difficult Pregnancy
The following are some of the most common causes of difficulty conceiving:
1. Ovulation disorders
To get pregnant, a woman's body needs to release an egg every month. The process of releasing eggs or ovulation is what determines a woman's fertile period. However, the ovulation process can sometimes be disrupted.
Some studies even show that ovulation disorders are one of the main reasons why it is difficult for a woman to get pregnant. There are several conditions that can cause ovulation disorders, including:
- Disorders of the pituitary gland in the brain
- Excess prolactin hormone
- Premature ovarian failure, which is when the ovaries (ovaries) stop releasing eggs regularly when the woman is less than 40 years old
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
2. Blocked fallopian tubes
The fallopian tubes are tubes that connect the ovaries and the uterus. At ovulation, the egg will travel from the ovary to the uterus through the fallopian tube. In this channel, the egg cell will meet with the sperm cell to produce fertilization.
If the fallopian tube is blocked, the egg cannot reach the uterus and meet the sperm. As a result, fertilization will not occur. There are many conditions that can cause a woman's fallopian tubes to become blocked and make it difficult for a woman to get pregnant, including:
- Pelvic inflammation
- Certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as chlamydia and gonorrhea
- History of ectopic pregnancy
- Have you ever had surgery on your abdomen or pelvis?
- Uterine infection caused by abortion or miscarriage
3. Endometriosis
Endometriosis can also be a cause of difficulty conceiving. Endometriosis is a condition when the tissue that lines the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus. It is estimated that about 50% of women with endometriosis will have difficulty conceiving.
During menstruation, endometriosis can cause very painful cramps, large volume of blood, long menstrual periods, and nausea. In addition, endometriosis can also cause bowel and bladder problems, as well as pain during sex.
4. Abnormal uterine shape
Abnormalities of the shape of the uterus can also be a cause of difficulty getting pregnant. An abnormal or irregularly shaped uterus can make it difficult for the fertilized egg to attach to the uterine wall.
The condition can occur naturally or be caused by uterine fibroids (fibroids) and scar tissue from surgery or infection.
5. Infertility in men
Not only caused by disturbances in the female body, difficult conditions can also be caused by infertility or infertility in men. In fact, more than 30 percent of cases of infertility are estimated to be caused by problems in men, such as:
- Sperm count is low
- Low sperm motility
- Abnormal sperm shape
- Vans deferens tube clogged
- Erectile dysfunction
Infertility in men can be caused by several things, such as congenital or genetic factors, certain diseases such as diabetes, psychological problems, to an unhealthy lifestyle.
6. Age
Women over 35 and men over 40 take longer to have children. In women, increasing age will reduce the quality and quantity of eggs. Whereas in men, increasing age will reduce the quality and quantity of sperm cells.
7. Other conditions
Certain medical conditions can cause infertility in both men and women, such as thyroid hormone imbalance, vaginismus, obesity, malnutrition or malnutrition, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, and sexually transmitted diseases.
In addition, psychological problems such as severe stress, depression, and anxiety disorders can also be things that can increase the risk of difficult conditions getting pregnant.
8. Unhealthy lifestyle
Apart from certain diseases or medical conditions, unhealthy habits or lifestyle can also make it difficult to get pregnant. Such unhealthy lifestyles include using drugs, consuming alcohol, or smoking.
Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and marijuana, are thought to decrease sperm count and motility. Meanwhile, tobacco and alcohol can also decrease fertilization rates and increase the risk of miscarriage
If you and your partner have been trying to have children with frequent unprotected sex for more than a year but it still doesn't work, don't hesitate to go to a gynecologist for an examination and determine what is causing your or your partner's difficulty conceiving.
After the doctor determines the cause, the doctor can provide treatment to overcome the problem. Doctors can also suggest assisted reproductive methods, such as artificial insemination or IVF, if needed.