females

• OVULATION

  As females get older, number of healthy eggs decreases. 

  → Greatly reduces chance of pregnancy, especially after 36
• OVULATION

  Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) - hormonal condition where ovaries contain many partially formed follicles that fail to mature

  • This means that eggs are not released 

  → cannot be fertilised
• OVULATION

  Hyperprolactinemia - high levels of hormone prolactin 

  → intermittent / lack of ovulation

  • Occur in people with
  • Pituitary tumours
  • Hypothyroidism 
  • PCOS
• OVULATION

  Menopause -  no longer ovulating

  • Some experience before 40 (early menopause / primary ovarian insufficiency)

  → unable to get pregnant from this time
• OVULATION

  Cancer treatments 

  → may cause primary ovarian insufficiency

  • Younger than 30, may be temporary, and become fertile after treatment
  • Older a woman is, the less likely fertility will return
• Endometriosis - cells of endometrium grow outside uterus resulting in scar tissue / distortion of uterine tubes 

  → blocks egg’s release / pathway through to uterus
• Presence of fibroids - benign growths in muscular part of uterus

  • Only affect fertility if their location distorts the uterine cavity / blocks uterine tubes
• Blockages of uterine tubes - stops egg passing through to uterus 

  • Occur after : 
  • Infections, e.g. gonorrhoea or chlamydia
  • Damage, e.g. due to ectopic pregnancies
• Problems with menstrual cycle 

  → influences implantation of the blastocyst 

  Hormonal imbalances 

  → reduce development of endometrium and its maintenance