Feminine infertility

Sterility must be differentiated from feminine infertility. Sterility is the difficulty for a couple to get pregnant after a year of frequent and unprotected sexual intercourse in the days close to ovulation. The human species has a low reproductive power since in couples under 35 years of age and with unprotected relationships on the days of ovulation, the pregnancy rate is approximately 25%. In people over 35 years of age, this rate decreases with age and at 40 years of age it is approximately 10%.

What is female infertility?

The feminine infertility It is defined as the impossibility of carrying a pregnancy to term and achieving a normal newborn, therefore the couples who suffer. It is considered primary infertility when the couple does not have normal previous children and secondary when abortions occur after a normal pregnancy. After two abortions, the risk of more occurring is considered to increase, so a study is recommended.

What tests are performed to determine female infertility?

The tests to be carried out are blood tests to determine: karyotypes (study of male and female chromosomes), study of blood clotting disorders and serologies. One is also performed, that is, an X-ray performed with contrast to assess the morphology of the uterus and the patency of the tubes. It should be taken into account that it is a somewhat annoying test and that it requires prior preparation. Another test to perform is a endometrial biopsy. This sample is obtained by hysteroscopy, with which a tiny camera is introduced through the neck of the womb, the interior of it is observed to verify that it is intact and the endometrial sample is obtained. A

Causes of female infertility

The causes of feminine infertility They can be multiple: genetic causes, anatomical causes (uterine malformations, fibroids, polyps, uterine adhesions), endocrine causes (thyroid disorders, diabetes), infectious causes, immunological causes, male causes (meiosi disorders, sperm disorders), causes due to alterations in blood clotting and unexplained causes.

Treatment

Depending on the result of these tests, the treatment to be carried out in case of deciding on a new spontaneous pregnancy will be determined or assisted reproductive techniques will be indicated. In some cases, in vitro fertilization with preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) will be indicated.

What is DGP

PGD ​​is a technique that allows to study the genetic and chromosomal characteristics of embryos before placing them in the womb, during a way that allows selecting healthy embryos. In this way, couples at risk of transmitting a genetic disease or chromosomal alteration have the possibility of obtaining a pregnancy knowing that they should not be affected by that alteration.

The indications for PGD are couples who are carriers of serious chromosomal diseases (an alteration in the number or structure of chromosomes) or monogenic diseases (of a single affected gene). In some cases of repeat aborters it is also indicated.

To perform PGD, embryos are required to be obtained using the in vitro fertilization technique even when there is no sterility problem, and on the third day after insemination, one or two cells are removed from the embryo for analysis. This technique does not involve alterations in the normal development of the embryo.