What Is Uterine Factor Infertility?
A person with uterine factor infertility is unable to conceive because their uterus is absent or not functioning correctly. The uterus is where the fetus grows and develops throughout pregnancy; it is an essential organ.
What Are the Types of Uterine Factor Infertility?
Uterine factor infertility comes in two types: acquired and congenital.
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Infertility Due to Acquired Uterine Factors: When one has acquired uterine factor infertility, the disorder manifests itself over a lifetime. The uterus might experience a variety of changes that could impact fertility.
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Infertility Due to Congenital Uterine Factors: If one is born without a functional uterus as a result of a problem that arose during fetal development, then they are said to have congenital uterine factor infertility.
What Causes Uterine Factor Infertility?
A person who has uterine factor infertility may be born without a functional uterus, have uterine excision surgery, or have another disease that increases the likelihood of infertility.
Born Without Uterus:
The condition known as Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH) is defined as being born without a female reproductive organ or with an underformed uterus. This is an uncommon congenital condition that results in an undeformed or absent vagina and uterus. Although ovaries are present and functional in MRKH, patients may still experience mood swings and other menstrual cycle symptoms, but they will not experience bleeding.
This is because the ovaries produce the hormones that trigger menstruation. MRKH is usually diagnosed in adolescence when periods (menstrual cycles) do not begin as they should. The shape of one's uterus might be affected by other congenital diseases that can lead to infertility. Pregnancy is still very much conceivable under these circumstances, though.
What Are the Symptoms of Uterine Factor Infertility?
Symptoms differ based on the reason. One indicator, for instance, is that certain people never get their period. There are other instances when a person feels pressure or has pelvic discomfort.
What Uterine Factors Are Linked to Infertility?
Uterine factors that are linked to infertility are:
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Congenital anomalies, such as uterine septate, are disorders in which the uterus is divided by a band of tissue.
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A heart-shaped uterus that has two endometrial chambers is called a bicornuate uterus.
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Unicornuate uterus is a condition in which the uterus has only developed half of its length.
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Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that can cause uterine cavity or lining distortion or impede implantation.
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Endometrial tissue growths, known as polyps can obstruct the fallopian tubes or hinder implantation.
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Scar tissue that may obstruct the fallopian tubes or cause problems during the implanting process.
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Cervical problems include abnormal cervical mucous, past cervical operations, and the existence of antibodies that might destroy or impede sperm.
How to Diagnose Uterine Factor Infertility?
When a person is in their teens and has not yet experienced their first menstrual cycle, medical professionals most frequently diagnose congenital uterine factor infertility. When examining the reproductive system, a medical professional will usually utilize ultrasound and, if necessary, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine whether the uterus is missing completely or has an abnormal size or form. A pelvic exam may be conducted in the surgery room or the doctor's office.
Uterine issues are usually diagnosed by fertility specialists using a series of tests, such as:
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MRI: A useful tool for assessing the health of the uterus and spotting structural problems is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
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Sonohysterography: A transvaginal ultrasound in which saline is injected into the uterus to facilitate the detection of uterine fibroids and polyps.
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Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)- It is an X-ray technique using liquid contrast dye. To deliver the particular dye, a catheter is introduced into the uterus through the cervix and vagina. The dye enters the uterus and travels via the fallopian tubes to detect tube blockage.
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Ultrasonography: It is carried out through the vagina with a probe inserted, which is known as transvaginal ultrasonography. The test looks for cysts, fibroid tumors, and other abnormalities in the uterus.
How Is Uterine Factor Infertility Treated?
Infertility can result from uterine abnormalities that obstruct the implantation of embryos and the growth of fetuses. Less than 5 % of women experience uterine factor infertility, which is a relatively unusual occurrence. A woman's uterus may be born malformed, such as bicornuate or horned, and this condition may occasionally be surgically rectified. Large fibroids and polyps, which are often removed via laparoscopy, might potentially impede fetal development. The uterus and tubes may sustain irreversible damage from severe pelvic infections, often known as pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, which are brought on by a range of microbes. Uterine excision may also be necessary as part of cancer therapy. The sole choice in cases where the uterus is nonexistent or seriously injured is to utilize in vitro fertilization (IVF) to employ a surrogate.
A person can receive a uterus from either a living or deceased donor:
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Live Donors: There are two types of live donors: directed (known) and non-directed (anonymous). A mother or sister who decides to donate her uterus is an example of a directed donor. Since the individual donating the organ and the person getting it frequently have a clear relationship, these donors are known as directed donors. Non-directed contributions are likewise anonymous. These are the persons who make the decision to give their uterus but do not have a specific recipient in mind.
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Deceased Donors: Donors who have passed away but have previously stated their desire to donate their organs to others are called deceased donors. In this kind of organ donation, the donor and the receiver usually do not know each other.
Conclusion:
The existence of structural or functional abnormalities in the uterus that might lower fertility and lessen the likelihood of conceiving with assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures is known as uterine factor infertility. One of the most important phases of ART is embryo implantation, a difficult procedure that depends on the interaction of the embryo and the endometrium. Therefore, it stands to reason that surgical care for uterine disease would affect how well in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments work.
