[Medical Q&A] What are the causes of female infertility?

Author: Li He, deputy chief physician, Shanghai Ji'ai Genetics and Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University

Reviewer: Fu Jing, Chief Physician, Shanghai Ji'ai Genetics and Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University

The causes of female infertility mainly include fallopian tube factors, ovulation dysfunction, cervical lesions, ovarian factors, congenital abnormalities of reproductive organs, and immune factors.

(1) Fallopian tube factors: The fallopian tube of women is a transportation hub for transporting sperm, eggs and embryos. Once narrowed or blocked, it will hinder the "combination" of sperm and eggs and the "migration" of embryos, thus causing infertility.

(2) Ovulatory dysfunction: An important feature of normal female ovarian function is regular ovulation, which is also the basis for pregnancy. If a woman does not ovulate or ovulates irregularly, she will become infertile due to a lack of "seeds".

(3) Cervical lesions: The female cervical canal is the first threshold for sperm to enter the fallopian tube. If a woman has cervical lesions, such as congenital cervical canal abnormalities, or cervical polyps, erosions or adhesions, it will affect the normal passage of sperm and make conception difficult.

(4) Ovarian factors: The ovaries are the birthplace of eggs. If the ovaries are underdeveloped or the corpus luteum function is abnormal, it will affect the normal conception of women. In addition, premature ovarian failure, ovarian endometriosis, ovarian tumors, etc. will affect the normal development of follicles or the discharge of eggs, leading to female infertility.

(5) Abnormal development of reproductive organs: The uterus is the place where the fetus is conceived, and the fallopian tube is the channel for transporting sperm and eggs. If they have congenital developmental abnormalities or acquired lesions, leading to abnormalities in the reproductive channel from the vulva to the fallopian tube, it is not conducive to the combination of sperm and egg, thus causing infertility.

(6) Immune factors: This is a relatively rare situation, that is, the female reproductive tract or serum contains anti-sperm antibodies, which hinder the combination of sperm and egg and cause infertility.